Operations Manager

Operations Manager / Lead Driver (Driver Trainer & Safety Officer) — Lathrop, near Tracy, CA (On-site)

Start date: October 1

Schedule: 5 days/week, with occasional 1/2 day or 6th day on weekends to oversee operations (operation runs 7 days/week)

Typical hours: 8–10 hours/day, based on vehicle dispatch times Pay type: Hourly with overtime pay (OT)

Ready Steady Cargo is hiring a hands‑on Operations Manager / Lead Driver to run day‑to‑day transportation operations while serving as our early‑stage Driver Trainer and Safety Officer
. This is a working‑leader role: you’ll coach drivers, keep routes covered, prevent incidents, and step into a truck when needed to keep service on track.

We’re a local transportation company partnering with a global freight operation
, offering reliable year‑round work and stable schedules.

This role is primarily on‑site in/around Tracy, CA
, with some responsibilities that can be handled remotely (as operations allow).

Starting pay: $24/hour + overtime (OT)

Wage progression (example — adjust to fit your plan):

• $24/hr — Starting rate (meets requirements; training period)
• $25–$28/hr — Starting rate based on prior experience (verified years, safety record, and leadership background)
• 30-day review: eligibility for an increase based on attendance, training completion, and early KPI performance
• 90-day review: eligibility for an increase based on safety, on‑time execution, and team performance
• Annual review: tenure‑based increase tied to KPI results and company needs

Bonus (recommended): safety + performance bonus tied to on‑time execution
, incident reduction
, and training completion (details shared during interview)

Benefits (edit to match your offer):

• W2 employment
• Paid time off (PTO) + paid sick time
• Health / dental / vision insuranc
• 401(k) (if offered)
• Company phone stipend (recommended)

This role is measured on safety first
, then consistent execution. You’ll track performance daily and weekly, coach to the gaps, and help the team improve over time.

Key KPIs include:

• Safety: preventable incidents, at‑fault collisions, injuries, property damage, safety event trends, and completion/quality of safety training
• On‑time performance: on‑time departures/arrivals, route completion, missed loads, service failures
• Driver performance: adherence to SOPs, coaching completion, ride‑along outcomes, attendance/reliability
• Equipment readiness: pre‑/post‑trip compliance, defect reporting, downtime trends

A strong safety culture and reliable on‑time performance are essential—and are also why this role may qualify for safety and performance bonuses
.

This role isn’t just a list of tasks. You’ll own a few key results areas and have the freedom to build the routines, coaching, and systems that drive the win

• Safety culture + training — Winning looks like: drivers are trained, coached, and operating with a safety‑first mindset; preventable incidents trend down.
• Run safety huddles and refresher training
• Complete ride‑alongs/coaching weekly and document follow‑ups
• Investigate incidents and implement corrective actions
• On‑time performance + service reliability — Winning looks like: consistent on‑time dispatch and route completion with minimal service failures.
• Daily dispatch readiness + coverage planning
• Monitor trends daily/weekly and coach to gaps
• Escalate issues early and keep stakeholders informed
• Driver performance + accountability — Winning looks like: clear expectations, consistent coaching, and measurable improvement across the team.
• Track performance scorecards weekly
• Recognize top performance and address issues fast
• Maintain training/coaching records
• Fleet readiness + compliance — Winning looks like: vehicles are safe, inspected, and ready with minimal downtime.
• Ensure pre/post‑trip compliance and defect reporting
• Coordinate maintenance and track recurring issues
• Keep compliance files organized

• Own daily operations: dispatch readiness, coverage for call‑outs, yard/terminal coordination, and end‑of‑day closeout
• Lead driver performance: ride‑alongs, coaching, feedback, and corrective…