Transportation Supervisor - Airline Catering

About us

Role Purpose Statement

We’re seeking an outgoing, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast‑paced, airside production environment and enjoys managing transportation teams responsible for the safe, on‑time delivery of catering to aircraft. This leader will oversee dispatch, drivers, and fleet readiness; ensure accurate, secure loading; and partner closely with Production and Airline Operations to meet flight schedules. The role actively engages employees in all safety, compliance, and performance initiatives, including DOT/FMCSA, airport security (SIDA/TSA), and food safety (HACCP/GMP). 

Main Accountabilities

Supervisor Responsibility (Transportation Operations)

• Organize and staff the department to meet flight service and delivery timelines across all shifts.
• Lead daily shift briefings (dispatch plan, safety topics, gate changes, IROPs) and ensure clear handoffs.
• Dispatch and route planning: align vehicle assignments to flight schedules; respond to real‑time changes (gate/stand swaps, delays, diversions).
• Fleet readiness: ensure high-lift catering trucks, reefers, tractors, and support vehicles pass pre-/post-trip inspections (DVIR/eDVIR); coordinate preventive maintenance with Maintenance.
• Load accuracy & security: verify cart counts, galley configurations, seal integrity, and chain‑of‑custody; maintain temperature control logs and cold‑chain integrity.
• Airside operations: ensure safe positioning, marshalling, chocking, jetbridge clearance, and compliance with airport AOA driving rules.
• On‑time service: monitor flight service milestones and corrective actions to achieve OTD/OTP targets.
• Schedule and control staffing to meet labor productivity and overtime targets.
• Ensure compliance with all government regulatory standards, including:
  • DOT/FMCSA (driver qualification files, hours of service, drug/alcohol testing)
  • OSHA (PPE, ergonomics, incident reporting)
  • FDA/USDA, HACCP, GMP (food safety)
  • EPA (waste management; spill response)
  • Airport/TSA security (SIDA badges, secured area procedures, seal integrity)
• Document and improve transportation processes and SOPs; close gaps found in audits or incident reviews.
• Monitor and ensure safety compliance at all times; lead root‑cause analysis and corrective actions for accidents/incidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support flight service, customer needs, and operational continuity.

Leadership

• Guide, motivate, and develop drivers, dispatchers, and transportation coordinators within HR policies; deliver coaching and progressive discipline as needed.
• Make the company’s values and management principles live in the department through consistent communication, recognition, and accountability.
• Manage productivity hours and costs; initiate corrective actions for deviations (e.g., overtime, idle time, out‑of‑route).
• Participate in and support company initiatives such as Quality, HACCP, Lean/5S, Employee Safety, and Production Systems; sponsor Kaizen activities that remove waste and improve reliability

Cross‑Functional Coordination

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• • 1–3 years of related experience required (transportation/logistics, food service distribution, or airline catering preferred).
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent knowledge preferred.
  • Problem‑solving and leadership skills with the ability to lead through change and time pressure.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to influence across airside, production, and airline partners.
  • Ability to develop and lead others to achieve desired results and productivity goals.
  • Working knowledge of OSHA, GMP, FDA, USDA, EPA and HACCP regulations; practical experience with DOT/FMCSA compliance (HOS, DVIR, driver files).
  • Familiarity with airport security and SIDA/TSA procedures for secured/sterile areas.
  • Excellent verbal, written, and organizational skills; able to multi‑task and prioritize in a dynamic environment.
  • Good knowledge of Microsoft Office and Windows-based applications; experience with dispatch/TMS systems, handhelds/scanners, and digital logs preferred.

  Preferred Qualifications (Nice to Have)

  • Airfield driving permit; experience supervising high‑lift catering trucks and ramp operations.
  • CDL‑B (airbrake) or prior CDL supervisory experience is a plus.
  • Experience in unionized environments, scheduling, and attendance management.
  • Bilingual (e.g., Spanish/English) beneficial for workforce communication.

  Work Environment & Physical Requirements

  • Ability to stand/walk for extended periods; lift/push/pull up to 50 lbs.
  • Comfortable working outdoors/on the ramp, in cold rooms, and around aircraft operations and moving equipment.
  • Shift work required, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays; occasional extended hours during IROPs.
  • Must meet airport badging and background requirements.
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