Area Operations Manager Jobs in Elizabeth, NJ (NOW HIRING)

• Lead and manage all gateway operations activities, including air export, import support, consolidations, and transshipment movements.
• Take full ownership of gateway operational performance, productivity, service quality, and compliance.
• Develop and execute gateway strategies that support network growth, service excellence, and profitability.
• Manage capacity planning and consolidation programs to maximize efficiency, service reliability, and transportation cost optimization.
• Ensure achievement of gateway KPIs, SLA commitments, and financial objectives.
• Lead operational process improvement initiatives and drive standardization across gateway operations.
• Act as the senior escalation point for operational disruptions, service failures, and capacity challenges.
• Develop strong partnerships with airlines, GSAs, transportation providers, and internal stakeholders to secure required capacity and service levels.
• Negotiate carrier agreements, space allocations, and transportation solutions that support business objectives.
• Oversee gateway financial activities, reporting, cost management, and profitability performance.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop Gateway Supervisors and Operations Specialists.
• Ensure compliance with aviation security requirements, customs regulations, healthcare guidelines, quality standards, and company policies.
• Support specialized products, including SecureChain, healthcare, and semiconductor logistics solutions.
• Collaborate with regional, national, and global Air Logistics teams to implement strategic initiatives and drive operational excellence.

• 7+ years of experience in Air Export, Air Import, Gateway Operations, Air Freight Operations, or Freight Forwarding.
• 3+ years of leadership experience managing gateway, transportation, or logistics operations teams.
• Strong expertise in international air freight operations, gateway management, airline operations, cargo handling, and freight forwarding processes.
• Proven experience managing airline relationships, carrier procurement, capacity planning, and consolidation strategies.
• Demonstrated success leading large-volume, fast-paced operational environments while maintaining service quality and profitability.
• Strong understanding of gateway financial management, productivity metrics, budgeting, and cost control.
• Proven ability to drive operational improvements, enhance service performance, and achieve productivity goals.
• Experience managing and developing supervisors and operational teams through coaching, mentoring, and performance management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders, carriers, branch operations, customers, and cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong analytical, financial, and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to make effective decisions under pressure.
• Ability to identify market trends, operational opportunities, and service improvements that drive business growth.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, reporting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
• Proficient in Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), freight forwarding software, cargo management platforms, and operational reporting tools.
• Accountable for achieving key performance metrics including:
  • On-time departure and arrival performance
  • Gateway productivity and throughput
  • Capacity utilization and consolidation effectiveness
  • Carrier performance and service reliability
  • Operational cost management and profitability
  • SLA and KPI achievement
  • Customer satisfaction and issue resolution
  • Compliance and quality standards
  • Employee engagement, retention, and team development

At Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to inspire, empower, and deliver not only to our customers, but also to our colleagues. We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility. The hourly wage for this role is between 120,000 and 135,000. Base wage is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data. #LI-SB1

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific process [e.g., screening applications, interview scheduling]. These tools analyze information to support decision-making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.