Freight Brokerage Operations Manager (Chicago, IL)

Freight Brokerage Operations Manager

Hybrid in Chicago, IL Area

Our client is seeking an experienced transportation leader to strengthen and modernize a growing domestic freight brokerage operation. This is a highly visible opportunity to lead day-to-day execution while improving the systems, processes, carrier relationships, and performance standards behind a high-service logistics organization. The Freight Brokerage Operations Manager will have meaningful influence over team development, technology adoption, customer experience, and continuous improvement across FTL, LTL, and cross-border transportation.

This Role Offers:

• Competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to lead and develop an established transportation operations team.
• High-impact role with visibility across commercial, compliance, and operational stakeholders.
• Ability to influence TMS utilization, process automation, reporting, and transportation technology initiatives.
• Broad exposure to domestic and cross-border freight, carrier management, customer service, and operational improvement.

Focus:

• Lead daily domestic brokerage activity, including pricing, load execution, shipment visibility, exception management, and service follow-through.
• Coach and develop transportation team members while establishing clear expectations for accountability, performance, and customer service.
• Drive consistent TMS utilization and accurate operational data while identifying opportunities to automate and streamline transportation workflows.
• Support carrier sourcing, qualification, pricing, capacity planning, safety review, and ongoing partner performance.
• Partner with commercial, compliance, and branch stakeholders to resolve transportation challenges and deliver responsive customer solutions.
• Apply DOT and FMCSA requirements across brokerage practices, carrier oversight, documentation, and transportation safety processes.
• Use KPIs and performance trends to identify opportunities to improve routing, cost, service quality, and operational efficiency.
• Serve as an escalation point for service disruptions, customer concerns, carrier issues, and other time-sensitive transportation challenges.

Skill Set:

• At least 7 years of experience in domestic freight brokerage, trucking, transportation, or a closely related logistics environment.
• At least 3 years of experience leading, supervising, or directly developing transportation professionals.
• Hands-on knowledge of FTL, LTL, and cross-border freight movements.
• Strong working knowledge of DOT and FMCSA regulations.
• Experience working with TMS platforms and other transportation technologies.
• Proven ability to motivate teams, establish accountability, and maintain a strong customer service culture.
• Strong communication and analytical problem-solving skills, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced transportation environment.
• Data-driven leadership approach with experience using KPIs and performance metrics. Canada and Mexico freight, carrier qualification, procurement, workflow design, or SOP experience is a plus.

About Blue Signal:

Blue Signal is an award-winning, executive search firm specializing in various specialties. Our recruiters have a proven track record of placing top-tier talent across industry verticals, with deep expertise in numerous professional services. Learn more at bit.ly/46Gs4yS