Operations Manager
$85-100k plus bonus
Penn Hills, PA
Bell & Associates has been engaged to help our client recruit their next Operations Manager. The Student Transportation Operations Manager is a people leader responsible for the overall daily operations of one or more transportation facilities/operations, typically within a single school district/contract. In this role, the Student Transportation Operations Manager has responsibility and accountability for meeting Company expectations for, employee engagement and development, operational safety and efficiency, customer satisfaction and financial performance.
The Student Transportation Operations Manager coordinates and oversees all functions of assigned facilities including maintenance, dispatching, training, administrative, routing if applicable, internal, and external communications. The Student Transportation Operations Manager must actively manage up and out with clear, accurate and timely communication to the Regional Manager, Company President, corporate office staff, customer and community contacts.
A successful Student Transportation Operations Manager is assertive and drives operational success by actively engaging and including employees at all levels, by being intrusive and monitoring the business, by taking action to remove roadblocks faced by terminal employees and by being curious to explore new and innovative ways of conducting business. A successful Student Transportation Operations Manager is “all in” and committed to doing whatever is necessary in the service of employees, the safety of student passengers and the satisfaction of our customers. A successful Student Transportation Operations Manager thinks and acts like a business owner with a long-term vision and relentless pursuit of continuous improvement.
Responsibilities
- Understand and provide oversight and direction for the daily operations of the facility and operations assigned.
- Regularly meet with staff and drivers to communicate Company mission, vision, and values; share Company news and information; listen for employee feedback and concerns; work with corporate and local staff to solve problems and eliminate roadblocks.
- Regularly visit and interact with school district contacts to ensure their satisfaction with Company services, to identify needs and opportunities for additional services, service changes or improvements.
- Oversee and ensure continuous execution of driver recruitment and training programs to ensure coverage of all daily home to school routes and extra-curricular activity trips with a reasonable surplus/spare driver percentage. Identify opportunities for additional staffing above required levels to help expand the business.
- Regularly provide coaching and feedback to operations staff and drivers about their performance. Use recognition and critical feedback to help them adjust behaviors and raise levels of performance.
- Hold regular development discussions with direct reports and other operations staff to help grow and accelerate their capabilities, skills and knowledge. Work with direct reports to career map/plan and help them attain their objectives and goal and fill the Company’s workforce needs.
- Inquire and intrusively review standard work processes and documentation to ensure that Company policies and procedures are being followed. As necessary, provide coaching or take corrective (disciplinary) action with employees who will not comply with requirements.
- Oversee and review payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and month end financial reporting and review requirements. Make inquiry and be able to explain variances to the terminal level. Prepare action plans and initiatives to ensure terminal budget remains on target to meet year end plan.
- Ensure the School District and its administrators and staff are being supplied with all contract-required reporting and information. Assist district staff and administrators to solve problems and make better decisions to optimize transportation operations and provide safe and reliable transportation for students.
- Read and understand assigned school district contracts, property and equipment leases, and vendor contracts to ensure compliance with all relevant requirements.
- Attend school board meetings when requested or required.
- Engage within the community to foster good relations, assist in driver recruiting and to help employees engage and support the communities in the district you serve.
- Be accountable for terminal level P&L performance and participate in drafting annual terminal operating plans and budgets for review by the Regional Manager and corporate staff.
- Coordinate and assist with new business development in the general area by cooperatively working with the company President and corporate staff to identify new/additional revenue opportunities with existing, neighboring, or other school districts. Work locally to develop charter and summer business opportunities to maximize asset use.
- Act as a proponent, early adopter and change agent to identify, support and implement new technology within the business that can be used to drive operational efficiency & effectiveness, improve employee engagement and improve customer focus and satisfaction.
- Maintain all credentials necessary to drive a school bus and be prepared to step in and drive when needed to ensure all students are safely transported to and from school.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalency certificate required.
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for up to 2 years of experience.
- 5+ years of experience in Student Transportation operations. Prefer 2-3 years in a staff safety/training, shop or dispatch role. Previous non-student transportation leadership experience may substitute for up to two years of staff experience.
- Ability to obtain a Commercial Driver License with P, S and air brake endorsements and pass a school bus driver physical exam within 6 months of hire.
- Ability to develop detailed operational plans
- Excellent interpersonal & communication skills
- Ability to organize, lead, and motivate all employees involved in operations
- Ability to thrive and adapt in a constantly changing and sometimes chaotic environment and consistently meet tight timelines
- Must be proficient with standard office-based computer systems and software including MS Office suite
- Must have prior knowledge of general transportation, student management and employment related state and federal regulations (i.e.- PUC, DOT, EPA, OSHA, DOL) that apply to the Company’s business.
- Must be able to conduct oneself in a respectful, professional manner, even during stressful situations
- Ability to observe, and coach employee and driver behavior and skills and know when it is appropriate to use discipline.
- Must be highly motivated to succeed and deliver on contract and operational requirements.
- Must treat all employees fairly and equally and with dignity and respect.
- Must have active listening and problem-solving skills and drive high levels of employee engagement and satisfaction within the region.
Working Conditions
- Working conditions are normally indoors in an operations environment. Periodic work outside in all weather conditions and in garage / repair shops for employee interaction is required.
- This position may require travel (including overnight travel) to company facilities and locations throughout Pennsylvania. Occasionally as needed to meet business demands travel outside Pennsylvania within the U.S. may be required.
- Position routinely requires work more than 40 hours per week and flexibility/availability in the evenings and on weekends as necessary to meet business needs, such as attendance at school board meetings or other district and community functions and events.
- The Student Transportation Operations Manager has daily contact will all levels of Company personnel and with outside entities such as school district officials, insurance representatives, attorneys, business partners, labor consultants and the public. These contacts are generally for the purpose of providing information and technical advice; policy and program interpretation and coordination; and problem evaluation and solving within the operations. Communication with these contacts will require considerable judgment, diplomacy and discretion and the ability to communicate timely, clearly and accurately. The Student Transportation Operations Manager regularly has access to and handles confidential and proprietary information and must maintain a high standard of care to maintain privacy and confidentiality.
Bell & Associates, Inc. was recently recognized by Forbes list of Best Professional Recruiting Firms in America - https://www.forbes.com/best-professional-recruiting-firms/list/3/#tab:overall
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Bell & Associates, Inc. is a recognized Executive Recruiting & Staffing leader based in Kansas City. We focus and specialize in the following practice areas - Accounting/Finance, Engineering, Executive Leadership, Financial Institutions, Healthcare, Human Resources, Information Technology, Manufacturing/Operations Management. We provide top talent to our clients on a Direct Hire, Contract, and Contract-to-Hire basis.
