Logistics Operations Manager Jobs in Montezuma, IA

Position Summary
This position consolidates onsite load planning and private/lease fleet dispatch responsibilities to directly support manufacturing operations. The role is responsible for building and executing outbound load plans, coordinating shuttle and box truck activity, and dispatching private fleet drivers in a safe, compliant, and costeffective manner. By placing this role onsite, the position serves as the primary logistics execution and problemsolving point for the plant, ensuring alignment between production, transportation, and customer delivery commitments.
The role requires strong judgment, the ability to perform under time pressure, and daily interaction with plant personnel, drivers, corporate logistics, and external partners.

Reports To

Private Fleet Manager with dotted line support to Logistics Manager.
 

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Associate degree, technical certificate, or equivalent experience in logistics, transportation, or supply chain preferred.
• Progressive experience in load planning, transportation execution, or fleet dispatching.
• Working knowledge of DOT regulations, hoursofservice rules, and transportation compliance requirements.

Skills & Abilities

• Strong problemsolving and decisionmaking skills under timesensitive conditions.
• Ability to balance cost, service, and operational constraints.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, including driver and customer interaction.
• Proficiency with Oracle Transportation Management, Microsoft Excel, Word, and other logistics systems.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Manufacturing and shipping environment with frequent interaction on the plant floor.
• Regular standing, walking, sitting, and computer use.
• Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Exposure to a loud warehouse/manufacturing environment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Load Planning & Execution

• Build and manage daily outbound load plans to customers and other Pella sites, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and optimal freight utilization.
• Balance service, cost, and capacity while maintaining freight expense and utilization targets.
• Review and resolve daily exceptions (e.g., delinquent orders, notonloadplan units, overfilled or underutilized trailers).
• Coordinate expedited recovery orders, box truck and sprinter loads, and dock appointments with customers and internal teams.
• Utilize transportation and order fulfillment systems (including Oracle Transportation Management) to plan, execute, and adjust loads.

• Identify opportunities to improve load quality, trailer utilization, and shipping efficiency based on onsite visibility.

Private / Lease Fleet Dispatch

• Dispatch and coordinate private and lease fleet drivers supporting outbound finished goods and inbound operational needs.
• Assign drivers to routes while ensuring ontime departures and arrivals.
• Monitor driver schedules, routes, and hoursofservice compliance.
• Manage elogs, DOT documentation, and CSA compliance requirements.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for drivers during operations and emergency situations, including afterhours accessibility as required.

• Support accident response protocols, including coordination with management, drivers, and local authorities.

Shuttle & Yard Coordination

• Schedule and manage interplant shuttle activity.
• Track onsite trailer pools and communicate equipment needs or constraints.

Plant & Corporate Collaboration

• Communicate daily with plant shipping, production, customer service, and logistics partners to align priorities.
• Work across Pella assigned sites to resolve constraints, adjust plans, and support networkwide execution.
• Partner with IT and logistics systems teams to document and resolve system or process issues.
• Support crosstraining initiatives and provide functional coverage as business needs evolve.

Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Identify and lead productivity, service improvement, and costreduction initiatives related to load planning and fleet operations.
• Provide operational insights and improvement ideas to plant and corporate logistics leadership.
   

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervises 10-15 drivers, with full responsibility for hiring, performance management, and termination. Provides daily direction, scheduling, and oversight to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient operations.