Sylvester Thomas
Beaumont,CA
Summary
Results-driven Leader with extensive experience leading operations in high-volume environments. Successfully directed P&L accountability for multiple sites, implementing strategies that improved safety, service, and profitability. Recognized for developing talent and fostering a culture of accountability that drives operational excellence.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Dedicated Transportation Manager
Ruan Transportation
Fontana/Rialto, CA
07.2022 - 07.2026
- Directed operations across 3 transportation sites, leading 110 employees with full P&L accountability.
- Developed and executed transportation strategies that enhanced safety, service, productivity, and profitability.
- Oversaw fleet utilization, routing, dispatch, maintenance, labor planning, and carrier performance, ensuring optimal operational efficiency.
- Managed operating budgets, forecasts, cost controls, and financial performance against key targets.
- Established and monitored KPIs including on-time delivery, cost per mile, asset utilization, fuel efficiency, and customer service.
- Ensured compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, environmental regulations, and company safety standards.
- Recruited and mentored site leaders and frontline teams while driving accountability and succession planning.
- Led continuous improvement initiatives that reduced costs and improved network efficiency across all sites.
Fleet Supervisor
Ruan Transportation
Rialto, CA
02.2022 - 07.2022
- Coached and counseled drivers on safety, performance, productivity, and morale, supervising all driver activities to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Planned, assigned, and distributed daily work, while coordinating loads, equipment and backhauls to achieve maximum utilization of the fleet.
- Managed work assignments. Developed daily delivery plans utilizing equipment, manpower and other resources to ensure an effective, efficient operation.
- Planned and implemented transportation solutions for assigned customers, optimizing cost options to maximize profitability and improve customer satisfaction.
- Identified and resolved delivery and scheduling issues through proactive communication with customers, drivers, vendors, and other Ruan locations.
- Performed administrative functions to include payroll, billing, driver counseling and post-accident reviews.
- Participated in the review and analysis of operating performance.
- Properly used the Ruan Transportation Management Systems to ensure all required operational data is accurately captured in a near real-time manner.
- Monitored and promoted safety and compliance with company policies and federal, state, and local regulations in all areas of the operation.
Sr. General Manager
Lily Transportation Corp.
Los Angeles, CA
05.2019 - 02.2022
- Managed full profit and loss responsibilities for the organization.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations.
- Applying strategic planning to meet or exceed company objectives.
- Researching and identifying growth opportunities.
- Planned and implemented procedures that enhanced operational efficiency.
- Evaluate current business processes and systems.
- Coordinated vendor relationships to secure timely deliveries of goods and services.
- Allocate the use of available resources.
- Delegate work to staff to obtain objections.
- Train entry to mid-level managers and staff.
- Develop direct reports to maximum potential.
- Set employee goals objectives.
- Review performance data to monitor and measure productivity.
- Evaluated employee performance to identify contributions and areas for growth.
- Provided coaching and disciplinary actions to enhance team performance.
- Hiring/terminating personnel.
- Determine the necessary facility staffing.
- Conducted regular maintenance checks on fleet vehicles to ensure safety and reliability.
- DOT and safety compliance.
- Won Operation of the year for 2021.
- Won the 'Excellence Award', for having the best safety frequency for 2020.
Operations
XPO Logistics (formerly Con-way Freight)
Pacoima, CA
10.2017 - 05.2019
- Prepared and facilitated action plans to ensure the service center achieved planned productivity, reduced damages, load average, cube utilization, target reweighs, on time departures, and on-time service.
- Oversaw outbound, city, and linehaul operations.
- Communicated with linehaul at corporate level to develop plans for effective and efficient freight movement to destinations within service standards.
- Managed equipment maintenance and vendor relationships to maintain operational efficiency.
- Schedule employees in accordance with business levels, the run bid process, and service requirements.
- Monitor E-logs, implement breaks, lunches, and off duty time in accordance with DOT.
- Enforce safety procedures in accordance with company policy, OSHA, and DOT guidelines.
- Review and approve all Kronos time punches prior to submitting to payroll.
Dedicated Area Operations Manager
Mode Transportation
Anaheim Hills/Los Angeles, CA
11.2016 - 05.2018
- Lead a large array of Transportation Managers, Fleet Coordinators, dispatchers, and drivers, throughout the region, both onsite and remotely.
- Managed and planned the distribution of dry and temperature-controlled goods, to and from all the 99 cents stores in all of California, Arizona, and Nevada.
- Accountable for maximizing performance through operational and financial measures.
- Minimized customer logistics costs while meeting all key performance indicators.
- Partnered with other departments to ensure efficiency.
- Conformed to and practiced daily, Company Safety and OSHA regulations for a safer work environment.
- Managed a fleet size of over 900 trucks and 2,000 trailers.
Regional Operations Manager
Werner Enterprises
Fontana/Los Angeles, CA
02.2016 - 11.2016
- Lead a large array of Transportation Managers, Fleet Coordinators, dispatchers, and drivers, throughout the region, in the Specialized Services Division. Both onsite and remotely.
- Managed distribution of dry and temperature-controlled goods for 99 cents stores across California, Arizona, and Nevada, contributing to $55 million in revenue.
- Maximized performance through objective, operational, and financial measures.
- Minimized customer logistics costs while meeting all key performance indicators.
- Partnered with other departments to ensure efficiency.
- Conformed to and practiced daily, Company Safety and OSHA regulations for a safer work environment.
- Managed a fleet size of over 900 trucks and trailers.
Dock Operations
XPO Logistics (formerly Con-way Freight)
Pacoima, CA
04.2015 - 01.2016
- Prepared and facilitated action plans to ensure the service center achieved: planned productivity, reduced damages, load average, cube utilization, target reweighs, on time departures, and on-time service.
- Coordinated with corporate linehaul to develop plans for effective and efficient freight movement to destinations within service standards.
- Led outbound and city operations.
- Enforced safety procedures in accordance with company policy, OSHA, and DOT guidelines.
- Monitored logbooks and implemented breaks, lunches, and off duty time in accordance with DOT.
- Scheduled employees based on business levels, run bid process, and service requirements.
- Managed maintenance schedules for all equipment to ensure optimal performance.
- Reviewed and approved all Kronos time punches prior to submitting to payroll.
Dock Operations
Estes Express
Fontana, CA
11.2014 - 04.2015
- Oversaw dockworkers and support staff in loading and unloading freight, ensuring operational efficiency and safety standards.
- Prepared and planned the daily utilization of resources, to ensure a consistent and efficient operation.
- Scrutinized conformance to proper loading/unloading techniques, to help minimize damages both prior to and during transit.
- Implemented safety programs to maintain compliance with government regulations and promote a safe workplace.
- Fostered safe handling, loading and storage of hazardous materials.
- Delegated work assignments monitored performance and provided training on job duties, company policies and procedures.
- Trained and mentored employees to enhance performance and improve work quality.
- Exploited independent judgment in successfully recommending personnel actions in accordance with company policies and procedures.
- Completed the necessary paperwork accurately and timely, to ensure an efficient and steady flow of information.
Warehouse Manager
AVAD LLC
Van Nuys, CA
05.2013 - 07.2014
- Managed a 50,000 square foot facility, housing 70,000 SKUs and grossing over 25 million annually.
- Oversaw scheduling and management of physical inventory processes, maintained appropriate inventory levels, secured company assets, and controlled product identification and marking systems to ensure operational efficiency.
- Verified and ensured the accuracy of all products shipped and received to and from customers and other branches.
- Maintained a variety of records and reports pertaining to the operation of the warehouse. Ensured the warehouse met all certifications and company standards for safety, efficiency, and cleanliness.
- Responsibilities also included: hiring warehouse staff, monitoring staff attendance, authorizing staff absences and ensuring appropriate coverage.
- Approved Kronos time punches for payroll submission, ensuring accurate reporting of employee hours.
- Conducted successful employment tasks such as interviewing, hiring, evaluating, and retaining qualified individuals.
- Coordinated annual conduct reviews for warehouse associates and provided salary recommendations to support employee development and retention.
Operations Manager
YRC Worldwide Inc.
San Bernardino, CA
01.2007 - 01.2013
- Directed inbound and outbound site operations, ensuring operations staff executed service agreements at or above customer standards across US and international locations.
- Led a team of six direct subordinates and 150 union employees, including dock workers, office personnel, yard personnel, and P&D drivers.
- Developed efficiency-enhancing workflow/process improvements that made it possible to accommodate increasing responsibilities necessitated by staff reductions, therefore increasing productivity.
- Planned and routed the P&D service plan for all inbound/outbound shipments.
- Monitored both standard and expedited service levels.
- Ensured accuracy of all manifests, DR's, DVIR's, facilitating smooth operations and compliance.
- Tracked daily man hours (regular, supplemental and overtime).
- Personally coached, trained, and mentored direct subordinates and provided career development opportunities through training and quality management activities.
- Monitored management operations systems and enforced company policies to maintain operational integrity and compliance.
- Delivered outstanding customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving issues promptly.
Dock Supervisor
YRC Worldwide Inc.
San Bernardino, CA
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Managed day-to-day operations of inbound and outbound dock, overseeing efficient workflow at a capacity of 300.
- Managed 35-50 dock employees.
- Maintained load factor, by making sure all loads were filled to maximum capacity.
- Evaluated and reported operational effectiveness, identifying areas for enhancement.
- Adjusted work procedures to meet operational demands based on production schedules and workflow.
- Enhanced dock operations through implementation of Warehouse Management Systems and optimization tools.
- Enforced company policies/procedures.
- Necessitated safety, through continuous audits.
- Maintained cleanliness of the dock area to ensure a safe working environment.
Part-time Operations Manager/Lead Supervisor
UPS
Ontario, CA
01.2001 - 01.2005
- Lead 4 direct supervisors and 45 union employees on the load side.
- Drove safety awareness, through continuous audits and safety meetings as a Safety Committee Co-chair.
- Processed payroll for staff, ensuring accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Enhanced labor relations between management and union employees, fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Achieved Manager of the Quarter recognition once and received three nominations for outstanding leadership.
Part-time Supervisor
UPS
Ontario, CA
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Supervised 35 warehousepersons in sorting and segregating packages for global distribution.
- Implemented safety protocols, enhancing workplace security and compliance.
- Earned supervisor of the month 4 times and received 10 nominations for outstanding leadership.
Education
AA - Business Administration, Office Information Systems (OIS) and Computer Information System (CIS) coursework
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, CASkills
- Quick learner
- Conflict resolution
- Safety compliance
- Interpersonal skills
- Performance evaluation
- Payroll management
- Innovative thinking
- Quality assurance
- Customer service
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Discipline
Training
- Extensive training courses/workshops in management, problem-solving, presentation skills, leadership, conflict mediation and resolution, HAZMAT, OSHA, EPA, DOT, CSA, BIT, FMSCA, ELD, safety, employee involvement, and labor relations.
- Special one-week management course in Kansas City, MO.
Other Facts
Windows, MS-DOS, Excel, MS Word, Outlook, Lotus Notes, MS Works, PowerPoint, Mainframe, WMS, AS/400, MAS 500, Tritan, TMW, Kronos, YMS, Greenfield, FourKites, 65 wpm, True, True
Timeline
Dedicated Transportation Manager
Ruan Transportation
07.2022 - 07.2026
Fleet Supervisor
Ruan Transportation
02.2022 - 07.2022
Sr. General Manager
Lily Transportation Corp.
05.2019 - 02.2022
Operations
XPO Logistics (formerly Con-way Freight)
10.2017 - 05.2019
Dedicated Area Operations Manager
Mode Transportation
11.2016 - 05.2018
Regional Operations Manager
Werner Enterprises
02.2016 - 11.2016
Dock Operations
XPO Logistics (formerly Con-way Freight)
04.2015 - 01.2016
Dock Operations
Estes Express
11.2014 - 04.2015
Warehouse Manager
AVAD LLC
05.2013 - 07.2014
Operations Manager
YRC Worldwide Inc.
01.2007 - 01.2013
Dock Supervisor
YRC Worldwide Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2007
Part-time Operations Manager/Lead Supervisor
UPS
01.2001 - 01.2005
Part-time Supervisor
UPS
01.2000 - 01.2001
AA - Business Administration, Office Information Systems (OIS) and Computer Information System (CIS) coursework
San Bernardino Valley College