Operations Manager

About HPL Apollo

HPL Apollo is one of the top freight forwarders in the United States by volume, specializing exclusively in the transportation of perishable goods — produce, flowers, protein, dairy, and other temperature-sensitive cargo — via air, sea, and road. With branches in Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu, and an active presence across five countries in Latin America, we operate at the intersection of speed, precision, and cold-chain expertise. Our LAX branch is our flagship location and the nerve center of our U.S. operations.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a driven, detail-oriented Operations Manager to lead day-to-day operations at our Honolulu branch. This is a high-impact, highly visible role within the organization — one that touches every aspect of our business, from freight forwarding coordination and carrier relationships to warehouse management and cold-chain compliance.

You will be on the ground, solving problems in real time, leading a team across two distinct but interdependent functions: forwarding operations and warehouse/handling operations. If you thrive in fast-paced environments, have a strong logistics backbone, and are ready to grow with a company on a defined upward trajectory, this is the role for you.

Key Responsibilities

Forwarding Operations

• Drive operational efficiency through process improvements, system utilization (TMS/WMS), and team accountability.

• Oversee the full lifecycle of shipments — booking, documentation, customs coordination, carrier communication, and delivery.

• Monitor and resolve shipment exceptions, delays, and compliance issues in real time, prioritizing perishable cargo urgency at all times.

• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of all shipping documents, including AWBs, phytosanitary certificates, and customs entries.

• Coordinate closely with clients on shipment status, proactive communication, and issue resolution, maintaining HPL Apollo's high service standard.

Warehouse & Cold-Chain Operations

• Oversee all warehouse activities at the Honolulu facility, including receiving, storage, overpacking, labeling, and outbound handling of perishable cargo.

• Ensure strict compliance with cold-chain protocols — temperature monitoring, segregation, and handling standards — across all product categories (produce, flowers, protein, dairy).

• Manage warehouse staffing, scheduling, and performance to meet the demands of a high-volume, time-sensitive operation.

• Maintain facility compliance with USDA, FDA, CBP, and IATA regulations applicable to perishable cargo handling.

• Coordinate closely with the forwarding team to align inbound and outbound cargo flows and minimize dwell time.

• Oversee equipment maintenance, inventory of packing supplies, and vendor relationships for warehouse needs.

People & Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operations coordinators, warehouse supervisors, and handlers.

• Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular check-ins, and build a culture of accountability, urgency, and quality.

• Partner with HR on hiring, onboarding, and performance management as the team scales.

• Act as the operational escalation point for team members and clients alike during the business day.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Own key operational KPIs: on-time performance, shipment accuracy, claims rate, warehouse throughput, and cost per unit.

• Provide regular reporting to branch leadership and flag operational risks proactively.

• Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce errors, and support the company's growth goals through 2030.