Manager - Operations

CRST The Transportation Solution is hiring for a Manager – Operations to guide operational performance across a portfolio of accounts and own the financial outcomes that come with it. This role suits someone who enjoys leading teams, building strong customer partnerships, and driving efficiency and safety in a logistics environment. CRST has a long history in transportation and solutions, and the role sits onsite in Laurel, Maryland, delivering hands-on leadership to a dedicated team.

The company is looking for a leader who can oversee daily execution, service delivery, and safety outcomes while partnering with internal teams to ensure compliant, reliable operations. If you thrive when you can own relationships, influence outcomes, and push for continuous improvement in a structured, safety-focused culture, this could be a fit. The work is onsite at the Laurel site, with regular hours and the potential to engage beyond standard times to keep service levels high.

The Manager – Operations is responsible for the operational and financial performance of assigned customer accounts, whether you’re coordinating from a centralized hub or servicing accounts remotely. You’ll own the customer relationship, lead performance discussions, and work with planning, maintenance, and safety to meet service goals while upholding DOT regulations and company standards.

Steering operations from a centralized hub

You’ll lead day-to-day activities for multiple accounts from a central location, focusing on safe, efficient, and profitable execution while maintaining high service levels. The role also centers on developing and guiding fleet managers, dispatch managers, and support staff to keep everyone aligned with the company’s objectives. In addition to managing performance and profitability, you’ll own the customer relationship as the main point of contact, driving business reviews and performance conversations to strengthen partnerships and hit operational targets.

Financial discipline matters here as well. You’ll oversee account budgets, monitor cost drivers, and implement strategies to sustain profitability and utilization. A strong safety focus is a must, with ongoing compliance to DOT rules and internal policies, and you’ll work with planning, maintenance, and safety teams to optimize resources and resolve issues that affect service or safety. Flexibility is part of the job, as there may be times you need to support operations outside normal hours to ensure steady service, and some travel could be required depending on the accounts you oversee.

Must-have requirements

• A four-year degree or comparable work history with a proven track record of success
• Experience running operations across multiple accounts within a dedicated or client-specific environment
• Ability to align daily operations with broader business goals and customer needs
• History of implementing standard operating procedures or efficiency initiatives
• Familiarity with transportation management systems and the reporting tools used in the field

Pay, benefits and practical details

The starting pay range is $79,195 to $85,000 per year, with bi-weekly pay. The final amount is dependent on factors including prior relevant experience, knowledge, and location. The position is onsite at 13200 Mid Atlantic Blvd Ste 140 Laurel, MD 20708, and the work schedule runs Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM EST.

CRST offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, prescription drug and telemedicine services, company-paid life and disability insurance, retirement savings with company match, and paid time off plus holidays and parental leave. Additional voluntary benefits and employee discounts are also available. Travel may be required, and the amount will vary by role.

Advice for applicants

Lead with results that show you’ve managed operations across multiple accounts and driven profitability. In your resume and interview, quantify how you improved service levels, reduced costs, or increased utilization to demonstrate your impact across diverse accounts.

Show you can translate strategy into action. Provide examples where you aligned operations with both company goals and customer needs, and highlight any experience implementing standard operating procedures or efficiency projects that changed performance in a measurable way.

Be ready to discuss safety and DOT compliance in practical terms. You may be asked how you enforce safety standards, how you balance safety with productivity, and how you coach teams to maintain regulatory compliance while meeting service targets.

Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect the specifics of this role, such as how success is measured for the Manager – Operations, what the typical travel expectations are for the accounts you would oversee, and how cross-functional collaboration with planning, maintenance and safety teams is structured on a day-to-day basis.