Manager, Special Projects

The Special Projects Manager leads high-impact operational initiatives that improve execution, consistency, and financial performance across the LTL network. This role addresses complex operating challenges at the point of execution, translating network priorities into measurable improvements at service centers and field locations.

The position combines enterprise project leadership with hands-on operational accountability. It requires a leader who can assess performance quickly, identify root causes, align cross-functional teams, and implement solutions that improve service, safety, productivity, utilization, and cost control.

Success means delivering strategic projects on schedule, strengthening service center performance, establishing sustainable operating disciplines, and providing effective senior leadership coverage when business needs require it. The Special Projects Manager will initially focus on a comprehensive operational review and performance improvement plan for the DLS facility.

What you’ll do1. Lead network-wide operational initiatives

Own operational projects across the LTL network from initial assessment and planning through implementation, adoption, and performance validation.

Build clear project plans with defined objectives, milestones, accountabilities, risks, and measurable outcomes.

Partner with Service Center Management, Regional Leadership, Linehaul, Fleet, Safety, Maintenance, Customer Service, and other Operations teams to execute strategic priorities.

Support service center startups, expansions, restructures, and other business-critical operational changes.

Provide concise, decision-ready project updates and performance insights to senior leadership.
2. Improve service center performance

Analyze service center metrics to identify opportunities affecting service, safety, productivity, profitability, equipment utilization, claims, and operating efficiency.

Conduct structured operational assessments across pickup and delivery, dock, linehaul, routing, staffing, equipment, and customer service functions.

Identify underlying performance drivers through disciplined root cause analysis rather than short-term symptom correction.

Develop and implement corrective action plans with clear owners, deadlines, and performance measures.

Establish repeatable best practices that can be sustained locally and scaled across the network.
3. Provide operational leadership and continuity

Serve as backup senior operational leadership, including Service Center Manager coverage, when business needs require.

Lead daily pickup and delivery, dock, linehaul, customer service, and administrative operations during assigned coverage periods.

Maintain operational continuity while protecting service commitments, employee safety, customer experience, and financial performance.

Make timely operating decisions, resolve escalated challenges, and ensure accountability across assigned teams.

Maintain compliance with company policies, safety requirements, DOT regulations, and established operating procedures.
4. Strengthen labor execution and team performance

Align staffing levels, labor plans, schedules, and daily execution with freight volumes and service requirements.

Monitor productivity, utilization, service performance, safety, claims, and cost controls, taking corrective action when performance falls below expectations.

Coach and develop supervisors, drivers, dock employees, customer service employees, and administrative staff.

Set clear performance expectations and reinforce consistent management routines across operating teams.

Support local leaders through periods of change while maintaining accountability for measurable results.
5. Drive the initial DLS performance assignment

Conduct a comprehensive operational…