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Operations Supervisor - Air

Grand Prairie, TX, USA|Travel, Onsite

Job Overview

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Employment Type

Full-time
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Work Schedule

Standard Hours
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Benefits

Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Paid Time Off
Retirement Plan
Paid holidays
Professional development opportunities
Employee assistance program

Job Description

The Operations Supervisor - Air Freight role is a key position within a leading logistics and freight forwarding company specializing in international air cargo transportation. This dynamic organization excels in providing comprehensive logistics solutions that span air import and export services globally. Known for its commitment to customer satisfaction, compliance with international trade standards, and operational excellence, the company operates with a strong emphasis on efficiency and quality service delivery in a competitive marketplace.

As an essential part of the company, the Operations Supervisor is responsible for guiding and managing air freight operations to ensure timely, compliant, and cost-effective movement of goods. This leadership position oversees a dedicated team of air freight forwarding professionals, driving teamwork, accountability, and professional growth. Equipped with extensive knowledge in air freight procedures, the supervisor acts as a go-to expert in handling export documentation, import clearance, and carrier coordination. The role involves close collaboration with internal departments such as sales and network teams, as well as external parties including airlines, customs brokers, and overseas agents to maintain seamless freight movement.

In this role, the operations supervisor plays a critical part in ensuring the entire shipment lifecycle is meticulously coordinated—from booking and documentation to customs compliance and final delivery. The position demands a robust understanding of regulatory requirements such as TSA, IATA guidelines, and customs regulations, along with the ability to monitor and meet key performance indicators related to transit times, service levels, and cost management. The supervisor also acts as the primary escalation point for resolving shipment issues and maintaining high-quality service standards.

Beyond daily operations, the position requires a proactive approach toward identifying process inefficiencies and implementing continuous improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing operational workflow, reducing costs, and elevating service quality. The role encourages a safety-first culture while promoting compliance and operational discipline within the team. To succeed, the ideal candidate must demonstrate strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities, and a hands-on leadership style suited for a high-volume, fast-paced environment. This role is fully on-site and may involve travel for meetings or professional events associated with freight forwarding and logistics management.

Overall, this position offers an exciting opportunity for professionals experienced in international air freight to apply their expertise in a supervisory capacity, contributing to the company’s growth and operational effectiveness in the global logistics industry.

Job Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent required
  • 5+ years of experience in international air freight import and export operations
  • Prior supervisory or team lead experience
  • Strong knowledge of international trade compliance and air freight documentation
  • Experience with freight forwarding systems and transportation management platforms
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and web conferencing tools
  • Ability to work on-site full time
  • Willingness to travel for work
  • Ability to handle confidential information

Job Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED equivalent required
  • Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain, business, or a related field preferred
  • IATA/FIATA certification, Certified Customs Specialist (CCS), or similar industry credentials preferred
  • 5+ years of experience in international air freight import and export operations
  • Prior supervisory or team lead experience within a freight forwarding or logistics environment
  • Strong working knowledge of international trade compliance, Incoterms, and air freight documentation
  • Experience working with freight forwarding systems and transportation management platforms required
  • CargoWise experience highly preferred
  • Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills in a high-volume environment
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact across global teams and customers
  • Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information
  • Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
  • Comfortable commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting, with travel for related meetings/events

Job Duties

  • Supervise day-to-day air import and export operations, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations and company SOPs
  • Lead, coach, and develop a team of air freight coordinators, promoting accountability, accuracy, and service excellence
  • Oversee end-to-end shipment lifecycle management, including booking, documentation, customs coordination, and final delivery
  • Ensure adherence to airline, TSA, IATA, and customs requirements for international air freight movements
  • Monitor operational KPIs such as transit times, service levels, cost control, and shipment accuracy
  • Serve as the escalation point for customer issues, shipment delays, and operational exceptions, driving timely resolution
  • Coordinate closely with overseas agents, airline partners, customs brokers, and trucking providers
  • Review and approve air freight documentation, including MAWB/HAWB, commercial invoices, packing lists, and export filings
  • Support pricing, routing, and capacity decisions in partnership with sales and network teams
  • Identify process gaps and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and service quality
  • Ensure accurate and timely data entry within the freight forwarding and transportation management systems
  • Maintain strong customer relationships by ensuring consistent communication and proactive issue management
  • Support staffing, scheduling, and workload balancing to meet operational demands
  • Promote a culture of safety, compliance, and operational discipline
  • All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs

Job Criteria

Experience

Expert Level (7+ years)


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