Terminal Manager at Empirical Foods in Torrance, CA

Overview

The Terminal Manager – Life Sciences Division provides overall leadership and day‑to‑day oversight of station operations, including air and ocean export and import activities, customs brokerage, and warehouse operations. This is a highly hands‑on operational leadership role, requiring direct involvement in daily execution, exception management, shipment oversight, and team support across complex, regulated Pharma and Life Sciences supply chains. The role is accountable for delivering GDP‑compliant, industry‑leading service while driving operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and sustainable business growth with a high degree of autonomy and decision‑making authority, in close collaboration with internal teams and external partners. The Terminal Manager reports to the Station Manager – Life Sciences Division.

Why This Role Matters

This role is critical to ensuring the safe, compliant, and reliable movement of time‑sensitive Pharma and Life Sciences shipments that directly support patient care and clinical outcomes. As the senior operational leader, the Terminal Manager protects supply chain integrity, sets rigorous operational and compliance standards, and is empowered to make critical decisions, while building a high‑performing, accountability‑driven team delivering GDP‑compliant service for some of AIT’s most strategic customers.

Responsibilities

• Lead, direct, and remain fully hands‑on in daily station operations, providing senior oversight and holding teams accountable for performance against customer service agreements and industry‑leading operational standards.
• Maintain full ownership of overall station service performance, operational execution, and financial results across all functions, including P&L accountability.
• Lead, develop, and retain operational teams through active daily engagement, hands‑on issue resolution, mentoring, performance reviews, and clear performance accountability.
• Retain and service existing customers while supporting growth through AIT’s full portfolio of Life Sciences transportation solutions; consistently meet or exceed service metrics and KPIs.
• Own and personally oversee GDP‑compliant quality and control initiatives across all operational areas, ensuring regulatory compliance, cost discipline, and best‑in‑class customer service.
• Review, revise, and approve station and customer SOPs, tariffs, and pricing to improve quality, efficiency, and profitability while maintaining exceptional customer service.
• Serve as the senior operational escalation point, providing direct leadership during critical shipments, service disruptions, and peak‑volume periods.
• Perform as a visible, hands‑on Terminal Manager with direct oversight of time‑critical Pharma and Life Sciences shipments.
• Other duties and responsibilities will be assigned as business demands deem necessary.
• The wage range for this position is $116,350.00-$174,530.00 and may vary based on geography as well as relative knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience

Qualifications

• Team‑oriented leader who values respect, accountability, and collaboration as core principles.
• Strong work ethic with an ownership mindset and comfort operating with autonomy and responsibility.
• Growth‑minded leader committed to continuous improvement, operational excellence, high performance and change leadership.
• Customer‑focused professional with the ability to build strong relationships internally and externally.

Other Skills We Hope to See:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred; equivalent work experience may be considered.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressive experience in international freight forwarding, with strong air freight expertise; Pharma / Life Sciences experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum three (3) years of management experience with direct responsibility for leading, developing, and performance‑managing operational teams.
• Proven experience managing a full P&L, strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint); experience with CargoWise preferred.
• Deep operational knowledge across domestic and international freight operations.
• Strong organizational, communication, problem‑solving, and leadership skills in a fast‑paced environment.
• Able to perform all aspects of Domestic and International Operations including: customer service, dispatch, cargo and etc.
• Ability to organize and perform multiple assignments in a high-volume, fast-work environment.
• Ability to interact, communicate and maintain relationships with clients, vendors, customers in all levels of management.
• Proven ability to lead and manage the activities of a diverse workforce.
• Skilled problem solver with leadership qualities.
• Excellent communication, decision, and management skills.