Steven Palacios
Downey,CA
Summary
Operations leader with 13+ years of experience leading multi-site transportation, fleet, logistics, environmental services, and final-mile operations throughout Southern California.Proven success leading cross-functional teams, improving operational performance, reducing costs, strengthening customer relationships, and ensuring DOT, FMCSA, CHP, OSHA, and environmental compliance. Experienced in P&L management, workforce planning, contract negotiations, pricing strategy, revenue forecasting, customer profitability analysis, and continuous process improvement while delivering safe, efficient, and profitable operations.
Overview
1
1
Certification
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Station Leader
SkyHop Global
Inglewood, CA
02.2026 - Current
- Reduced payroll and labor expenses by approximately 10% through workforce optimization, scheduling improvements, and strategic labor planning initiatives.
- Directed daily transportation, dispatch, staffing, labor planning, and operational performance for 140+ drivers across multiple Southern California airport locations.
- Oversaw 300+ daily transportation movements while maintaining exceptional service reliability, customer satisfaction, DOT compliance, safety standards, and operational performance within a 24/7 environment.
- Managed staffing, scheduling, payroll, overtime control, workforce deployment, and employee accountability initiatives to improve productivity and operational efficiency.
- Recruited, interviewed, onboarded, coached, and developed employees while administering performance management, corrective actions, counseling, and employee retention initiatives.
- Led accident investigations, incident reporting, video reviews, compliance audits, driver accountability reviews, and corrective action plans to strengthen safety performance and regulatory compliance.
- Utilized SkyPlan and Samsara to improve fleet visibility, driver accountability, operational efficiency, and real-time transportation management.
- Coordinated day and night operations across multiple operating locations, ensuring continuous transportation coverage and consistent customer service.
- Served as the acting station leader during staffing shortages and operational transitions, maintaining business continuity and operational performance.
- Managed airline crew transportation operations while ensuring compliance with company policies, DOT regulations, and customer service expectations.
Operations Supervisor – L.A. Division
Diamond Environmental Services (Environmental Waste & Sanitation)
Huntington Park, CA
02.2025 - 02.2026
- Led dispatch operations, route planning, and workforce scheduling to improve productivity, reduce overtime, and maximize fleet utilization.
- Managed daily operational readiness by ensuring vehicles were fueled, stocked, serviced, and fully prepared for next-day deployment.
- Supervised inventory, allocation, and tracking of portable sanitation equipment, fencing, handwash stations, water systems, and specialty event assets across multiple service locations.
- Coordinated potable water delivery operations and equipment deployment for commercial projects, special events, and emergency service requests.
- Oversaw tanker scheduling and waste disposal logistics, ensuring environmental compliance and uninterrupted field operations.
- Conducted accident investigations, incident reporting, and corrective action follow-up while maintaining company safety standards and regulatory compliance.
- Trained and coached dispatch personnel on routing strategies, operational efficiency, and service execution to improve team performance.
- Collaborated with maintenance personnel to coordinate fleet repairs, equipment availability, and preventative maintenance schedules.
- Performed weekly operational reviews, analyzed service metrics, and implemented process improvements to enhance productivity and customer satisfaction.
- Supported large-scale projects and special events by coordinating equipment deployment, staffing, and logistical planning.
- Served as the primary operations leader in the Site Manager’s absence, ensuring continuity of daily operations, customer service, and workforce leadership.
Operations Manager
Ecology Auto Parts Inc.
Wilmington, CA
06.2015 - 01.2025
- Directed multi-site transportation, fleet, logistics, dispatch, warehouse, yard, safety, compliance, and customer service operations supporting port drayage, intermodal, final-mile distribution, environmental services, Hazmat transportation, and specialized freight throughout Southern California.
- Managed operations for 70+ trucks, 70+ drivers, owner-operators, dispatchers, warehouse personnel, customer service representatives, billing staff, and security teams, supporting 2,000–2,500 monthly transportation moves across ports, rail terminals, transfer stations, landfills, and customer facilities.
- Led P&L management, budgeting, revenue forecasting, KPI reporting, labor planning, profitability analysis, and monthly business reviews while partnering with executive leadership to improve operational and financial performance.
- Managed multimillion-dollar customer accounts by developing transportation pricing strategies, negotiating contracts, analyzing customer profitability, and maximizing operational margins.
- Directed contract negotiations, RFQ/RFP development, pricing strategies, customer agreements, freight cost analysis, and accessorial pricing to maximize profitability and strengthen long-term customer partnerships.
- Built and maintained strategic relationships with customers, steamship lines, carriers, and vendors through operational reviews, dispute resolution, service recovery, account development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Oversaw fleet maintenance, chassis management, preventative maintenance programs, BIT inspections, annual inspections, equipment readiness, and asset utilization while ensuring compliance with DOT, FMCSA, CHP, OSHA, CARB, ELD, and Hazmat regulations.
- Recruited, hired, coached, developed, and led cross-functional teams while overseeing workforce planning, performance management, employee relations, succession planning, and organizational development.
- Led cross-functional operations involving transportation, dispatch, finance, maintenance, customer service, safety, and executive leadership to improve operational efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction across Southern California.
Drayage Dispatcher
Ecology Auto Parts Inc.
Wilmington, CA
02.2013 - 06.2015
- Coordinated 150+ daily container moves, including loaded returns and empties.
- Scheduled port and rail appointments across BNSF, UP, and Southern California terminals.
- Utilized street turns and reloads to reduce empty miles and improve asset utilization.
- Maintained real-time driver communications to manage congestion, delays, and demurrage risk.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Carson, CASkills
- Transportation Operations Leadership
- Fleet Management & Asset Utilization
- Final-Mile Distribution & Logistics
- Hazmat Transportation & Regulatory Compliance
- P&L Management & Financial Performance
- Strategic Operations Leadership
- Vendor & Carrier Management
- Contract Negotiation & Pricing Strategy
- Customer Relationship Management
- Fleet Maintenance & Asset Management
- DOT, FMCSA, CHP & OSHA Compliance
- Workforce Planning & Labor Management
- Hiring, Coaching & Performance Development
- Accident Investigation & Claims Management
- KPI Management & Continuous Improvement
- Transportation Systems (SkyPlan, Samsara, PortPro, Trinium, Profit Tools, DAT, Truckstop, Geotab, Lytx, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook)
Certification
- Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
- DOT Compliance & Fleet Operations
- Safety Management & Leadership for Transportation Professionals
- HAZMAT Awareness (Non-Technical)
Timeline
Assistant Station Leader
SkyHop Global
02.2026 - Current
Operations Supervisor – L.A. Division
Diamond Environmental Services (Environmental Waste & Sanitation)
02.2025 - 02.2026
Operations Manager
Ecology Auto Parts Inc.
06.2015 - 01.2025
Drayage Dispatcher
Ecology Auto Parts Inc.
02.2013 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
California State University, Dominguez Hills