Operations Manager

Operations ManagerTruckload Carrier Seeking a High-Performance Operations ManagerMiller 66 is a driver-centric, full truckload, nationwide motor carrier built around a simple belief:Drivers can experience the freedom they desire without the headaches of truck ownership.We exist to prove that with the right balance of freedom and support, we can create a trucking company with near-zero turnover.As we continue to grow, we're looking for an Operations Manager who can take ownership of the day-to-day operation and help us build the infrastructure to see Miller 66 through our second decade of growth.This isn't a dispatch or driver manager position. We're looking for someone who can eventually make themselves the operational leader of the company.The owner currently remains heavily involved in the daily details of operations. The purpose of this position is to change that. The Operations Manager will oversee our Operations team and fleet of drivers, provide leadership and accountability to the team, maintain visibility across the entire operation, and make sure problems are being handled before they make their way to the owner.At the same time, this person will work directly with the owner on strategic direction, and planning for disciplined growth to drive Miller 66 forward.The ideal candidate is someone who can zoom out and think strategically while still engaged and willing to jump into the details when necessary.This is a full-time, in-office position.Email: alain@miller66.com Responsibilities Include:Lead the Operations TeamEnforce our mission of providing the best balance of freedom and support to our team of 20+ OTR truck driversDirectly manage and oversee team of 2 operations coordinators and 1 fleet technicianEstablish clear responsibilities, expectations, priorities, and accountability within the operations teamMake sure the team is staying ahead of issues rather than constantly reacting to themReview the operation as a whole and identify what is being missed, where communication is breaking down, and where additional support is neededHold the Operations Coordinators accountable for follow-through, responsiveness, and execution and generally keeping everything on track including dayily tasks and longer term projects and initiativesStep in when a problem needs management-level attention rather than simply passing it up to the ownerCreate and maintain operating procedures that allow the team to function consistently as we growRegularly evaluate workload and staffing needs and make recommendations to optimize coverageOwn the Daily OperationEnsure drivers receive the support they need to do their jobs successfullyMaintain a high-level view of every truck, driver, load, and operational issueMake sure nothing falls through the cracks and problems are addressed with urgencyTake ownership of major operational issues from beginning to endManage breakdowns, equipment problems, HOS/ELD issues, customer problems, service failures, and other unplanned situations that require management-level involvementMaintain strong communication with drivers, brokers, shippers, receivers, vendors, and service providersMonitor driver performance, safety, retention, and overall satisfactionLook for recurring problems and eliminate the root cause rather than repeatedly dealing with the same issueBuild the Right Schedule and CoverageEvaluate how the current Operations Coordinators are working and determine how to get the most effective coverage from the existing teamDevelop and adjust schedules as the operation growsIdentify gaps in coverage and determine when additional after-hours support is necessaryHelp determine when another Operations Coordinator, after-hours support person, or other operational position should be addedBuild an operation that provides strong driver support without unnecessarily increasing overheadThis is trucking. The operation doesn't stop at 5:00 PM on Friday. The expectation isn't that you'll spend every night and weekend working, but you need to understand that this is a 24/7 business and be willing to step in whenever the operation requires it.Fleet ManagementTake ownership of the day-to-day management of the Miller 66 fleetMonitor truck and trailer maintenance needs and make sure repairs are scheduled and completedTrack preventive maintenance and upcoming service requirementsCoordinate breakdowns, roadside repairs, towing, vendors, and outside repair facilitiesMonitor equipment downtime and identify recurring mechanical problemsHelp establish fleet maintenance standards and proceduresTrack maintenance costs and identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary expensesWork with the owner on equipment replacement and fleet growth decisionsHelp build a fleet maintenance program that can scale with the companyWork Directly With the Owner on GrowthThe Operations Manager will report directly to the owner and work closely with him on the strategic direction of the company in areas including the following:Helping develop and execute Miller 66's company mission and growth strategyPlanning for fleet expansion and additional trucksEvaluating operational capacity as the company growsIdentifying organizational bottlenecks before they limit growthDeveloping processes and systems that allow the company to grow without unnecessary complexityUsing operational data to identify opportunities for improvementBringing problems to the owner with solutions and recommendationsHelping turn the owner's broader strategy into an executable operating plan What We're Looking ForWe're looking for someone who naturally thinks one step ahead.The best person for this position won't sit around waiting for the next problem to land on their desk. They will constantly be asking:"What could go wrong here, what are we missing, and what can I do about it before it becomes a problem?"The ideal candidate:Has strong leadership instincts and knows how to hold people accountable without creating unnecessary drama or resentmentTakes ownership and doesn't use "that's not my job" as an excuse to leave a problem unresolvedIs highly observant and has strong situational awarenessCan see the entire operation rather than focusing only on their own responsibilitiesThinks strategically while still being comfortable getting into the detailsIs highly organized and able to keep track of many moving partsIs resourceful and persistent when solving problemsMakes decisions and takes action rather than waiting to be told what to doIs comfortable making decisions independentlyKnows when something needs to be brought to the owner's attention—and when it doesn'tCommunicates clearly and calmly with drivers, employees, customers, brokers, and vendorsBuilds genuine relationships with drivers and understands that driver experience is an operational priorityCan manage multiple people and priorities without losing sight of the bigger pictureWants to help build something rather than simply manage something that already existsMost importantly:We need someone who wants to own the operation. Qualifications5+ years of transportation, trucking, logistics, fleet management, or related experience requiredCollege degree requiredPrevious experience managing operations staff and professional OTR truck driversExperience in trucking operations, dispatch, fleet management, transportation coordination, or driver supportExperience with ELD systems and transportation management softwareStrong understanding of trucking operations, HOS, equipment, regulations and the realities of operating a 24/7 fleetStrong verbal and written communication skillsStrong organizational and problem-solving skillsComfortable using Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and OneDriveMust be comfortable making decisions and executing them in real time Why Miller 66?We are not a giant corporate carrier where drivers are reduced to a truck number. We are intentionally building a company where drivers can experience the freedom to choose their own loads and schedules without the headaches of owning a truck or the risks of signing on with predatory lease purchase carriers. At Miller 66, we strive to be the industry leader in driver satisfaction and retention.The Operations Manager is an integral part of that culture. This position isn’t simply about moving freight. It is about supporting our mission to lead the industry in driver experience and retention.