Area Lead (Inter-Island & Air Transfer Operations) - Operations, Middle Mile, SPX Express (Laguna)

About the team

The Area Lead is responsible for managing and overseeing all inter-island and air transfer operations from sorting centers to Visayas, Mindanao, and MIMAROPA. The role ensures efficient movement of cargo through sea and air transport by supervising Port Coordinators, monitoring truck dispatch activities, coordinating with shipping lines and airline partners, and maintaining operational compliance across all transfer points. The position is also responsible for process creation and improvement, operational analytics, KPI monitoring, and investigation of shipment losses, damages, and claims to support continuous operational excellence.

What you'll do

• Monitor daily truck dispatch operations from sorting centers to provincial hubs and Visayas and Mindanao Distribution Centers; ensure all shipments are transferred within committed schedules, transit targets and operational timelines.
• Oversee and guide Port Coordinators in managing cargo acceptance, vessel endorsements, documentation accuracy, shipment release, and coordination with port personnel and shipping partners.
• Ensure smooth execution of all inter-island transfers across Visayas and Mindanao routes by closely monitoring vessel schedules, departure cut-offs, arrival status, and truck movement visibility.
• Manage and monitor air transfer operations from Manila Airports to MIMAROPA, Visayas, and Mindanao stations while coordinating with airline partners regarding flight schedules, cargo acceptance, offloading concerns, and transfer recovery plans.
• Coordinate closely with sorting centers, provincial hubs, transport teams, airlines, shipping lines, and third-party vendors to minimize delays, missed transfers, and operational disruptions.
• Create, implement, and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs), escalation processes, monitoring tools, and operational controls to strengthen overall transfer efficiency and accountability.
• Analyze operational data and generate detailed reports related to dispatch performance, lead time compliance, transfer success rates, truck utilization, shipment aging, and operational productivity.
• Develop dashboards and reporting mechanisms that provide visibility on daily operational performance, shipment movement, transfer exceptions, and recurring operational issues.
• Conduct root cause analysis for shipment losses, damages, offloaded cargo, delayed transfers, and customer claims, then implement corrective and preventive actions to reduce operational incidents.
• Ensure all transfer documents, manifests, proof of transfers, and receiving acknowledgments are accurate, complete, and properly endorsed for audit and operational compliance purposes.
• Monitor and escalate operational risks such as port congestion, weather disturbances, vessel delays, airline capacity limitations, and linehaul shortages to ensure immediate recovery planning and business continuity.
• Lead regular operational reviews/meetings with Port Coordinators and Control Tower transport teams to discuss performance results, operational gaps, action plans, and process improvement initiatives.
• Support cost optimization initiatives by monitoring transport utilization, reducing transfer inefficiencies, and identifying opportunities to improve turnaround time and resource allocation.
• Maintain high operational standards by ensuring compliance with company policies, safety procedures, and service level agreements across all inter-island and air transfer operations.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and performance management to Port Coordinators and operations personnel to strengthen accountability, operational discipline, and team performance.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• At least 3–5 years of experience in logistics, transport operations, linehaul, air cargo, or inter-island shipping operations.
• Strong experience in dispatch monitoring, port coordination, transfer management, and operational analytics.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, and operational reporting systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Willing to work in a fast-paced operational environment and shifting schedules.