Regional Operations Manager
$120-140k plus 20% bonus
Pittsburgh, PA
Bell & Associates has been engaged to help our client recruit their next Regional Operations Manager. The Regional Operations Manager is a people leader responsible for the overall daily operations of one or more transportation facilities/operations. In this role, the Regional Manager has responsibility and accountability for meeting Company expectations for employee engagement and development, operational safety and efficiency, customer satisfaction and financial performance.
The Regional Manager coordinates and oversees all functions of assigned facilities including maintenance, dispatching, training, administrative, routing if applicable, internal, and external communications. The Regional Manager must actively manage up and out with clear, accurate and timely communication to the Company President, corporate office staff, customer and community contacts.
A successful Regional 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 Regional 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 Regional 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 facilities and operations assigned.
- Regularly visit all operations and 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 operations managers and staff to solve problems and eliminate roadblocks.
- Regularly visit and interact with school district customers 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 schoolroutes and extra-curricular activity trips with a reasonable surplus/spare driver percentage.Identify opportunities for additional staffing above required levels regionally to expand the business.
- Regularly provide coaching and feedback to operations staff 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 and regional budgets. Prepare action plans and initiatives to ensure terminal and regional budgets remain on target to meet year end plan.
- Ensure each School District in the region 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 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 school districts we serve.
- Be accountable for P&L performance within assigned region and develop draft annual regional operating plans and budgets for review by the company President.
- Coordinate and assist with new business development in the region by cooperatively working with the company President and corporate staff to identify new/additional revenue opportunities with existing, neighboring, or other school districts. Work with Terminal Operations Managers to develop local 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
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 5+ years of experience in StudentTransportation or similar operations with a minimum of three years in a leadership role.
- 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 motivateall employees involvedin 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.
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
BETTER TALENT. BETTER OPPORTUNITY. FIND IT HERE.
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.
