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Cargo operations manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Bernie Cerasaro,

Dr. Kim Roberts

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical cargo operations manager skills. We ranked the top skills for cargo operations managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 19.2% of cargo operations manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a cargo operations manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 cargo operations manager skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how cargo operations managers use customer service:

Developed all-purpose customer service team capable of handling any crises situations.
Conducted performance evaluations of supervisors and customer service agents.

2. Safety Program

Safety programs are a series of measures to protect employees from any mishaps and make the work environment safer. Safety programs include checklists, guidelines, and direct procedures that a specific area or department must follow. Safety programs take care of office space safety, maintenance and repairs, and identification of frauds as well.

Here's how cargo operations managers use safety program:

Managed safety programs for unit hazardous cargo.
Developed and implemented safety programs to reduce frequency of accidents and injuries to both associates and customers.

3. Cargo Operations

Here's how cargo operations managers use cargo operations:

Performed clerical work on cargo records incident to documentation of marine cargo operations.
Supervised and coordinated inbound/outbound cargo operations.

4. IATA

Here's how cargo operations managers use iata:

Trained staff in compliance with government regulations (IATA, FAA, and Customs).
Trained in IATA HAZMZT and Live Animal IATA acceptance.

5. Logistics Support

Here's how cargo operations managers use logistics support:

Provided logistics support, articulated information and guidance with appropriate regulations for customer's transportation needs.
Performed Material Order Validations (MOV) and material information to Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) Managers.

6. TSA

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is a division of the United States Department of Homeland Security, formed due to the 9/11 attacks in 2001. The main task of the agency is to monitor and provide security to the air traveling public. The department is responsible for securing the people's traveling experience by having Federal Air Marshals on planes, teams of explosive professionals on back up, and dog handlers' mobile units.

Here's how cargo operations managers use tsa:

Comply with federal regulations US Customs, INS, Agriculture and TSA.
Coordinate Operations in Compliance with Massport Operations, US Customs, TSA, FAA and Mass State Police.

7. De-icing

Here's how cargo operations managers use de-icing:

Coordinate with and monitor performance of company hired vendors, including de-icing, catering, fueling, and ground equipment maintenance.

8. SLA

SLA refers to Service-level Agreement. It is an agreement between a customer and the service provider on the quality of service and what standards they must meet.

Here's how cargo operations managers use sla:

Lead, motivate and manage staff to deliver the Service Level Agreements (SLA) with customers.
Implement strategy for successful site performance in CSAT, KPI, SLA, and first call resolution.

9. FAA

FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) is an aviation regulatory body in the USA.

Here's how cargo operations managers use faa:

Managed and simplified book keeping and paper work for the US Postal Service and FAA regulations for storage and manifest shipments.
Handled the FAA and US Customs audits.

10. Air Cargo

Air cargo pertains to products or properties in an aircraft.

Here's how cargo operations managers use air cargo:

Managed daily operations of air cargo division.
Managed and directed the Air Cargo / Logistics Facility over a two (2) year period.

11. Hazardous Materials

Any substance or good that is harmful to human health as well as the environment are called hazardous materials. Such materials must be handled carefully to avoid any mishaps. Harmful gases. chemicals, strong medicines or drugs, radioactive elements required for radiation purposes, a human blood sample that carries germs, all of these are considered hazardous materials.

Here's how cargo operations managers use hazardous materials:

Freight Import/Export handling of perishables, Live-Stock, Remains, Vehicles and Hazardous materials.
Inspected hazardous materials, ensuring proper packaging, labeling, and loading in accordance with federal and international regulations.

12. Level Agreements

Here's how cargo operations managers use level agreements:

Developed better business processes relating to user change requests, software development and production support service level agreements.
Achieved all Service Level Agreements on a monthly basis, this includes all incident resolution and MAC delivery.

13. Forwarders

Here's how cargo operations managers use forwarders:

Maintain good working relationship with forwarders, and developing and maintaining distribution channels.
Handled cargo for air freight forwarders with focus on time sensitive materials in the warehouse.

14. Dangerous Goods

Here's how cargo operations managers use dangerous goods:

Team leader/foreman of the special cargo department (Perishables, Dangerous Goods, Live Animals and Express Delivery).
Identified dangerous goods, confirmed they were packaged according to Federal Aviation Administration's hazardous materials regulations.

15. US Customs

The US Customs and Border Protection is the United State's most prominent law enforcement agency in charge of border control, security, travel, and trade. It is responsible for enforcing government regulations on border-related activities. Their jobs include enforcing laws on traveling overseas, luggage inspection, import/export monitoring, and border patrol. The agency is based in Washington DC and comprises over 4000 federals officers maintaining peace throughout the states.

Here's how cargo operations managers use us customs:

Attend meetings with TSA and US Customs.
Coordinate and generate all Export Documentations and documentation for clearing vehicles through US customs.

What skills help Cargo Operations Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on cargo operations manager resumes?

Bernie Cerasaro

Assistant Teaching Professor, Pennsylvania State University - Greater Allegheny

Skills employers would be looking for would be functional skills and interpersonal skills. Functional skills should stand out on a resume and be aligned to the business job in question. For example, if focused on marketing positions, marketing skills such as data analytics, market research, consumer behavior, global marketing, and professional selling skills would be areas for which employers would be looking. If the job market is looking for someone in accounting, then functional skills that would stand out would be intermediate financial accounting skills and courses on taxation and auditing. For those seeking positions in project management or supply chain management, skills that would stand out would encompass subject matter such as project management, portfolio management, operations planning and control, purchasing and materials management, and knowledge of ERP type systems and other business processes.

Skill sets can be enhanced via various types of certification. For example, those interested in accounting might pursue a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) license, which requires 150 credits. As most universities require 120 credits for a bachelor's degree in business, a CPA would require just an additional 30 credits, which students can start accumulating while still at college. Project management certification is also an opportunity to enhance the aforementioned skills and would certainly stand out on an applicant's resume. The Project Management Institute (PMI) promotes PMP certification, which validates that you are highly skilled in soft skills to lead project teams and have the required technical aspects of managing projects. Some universities are working with the PMI to have PMI-approved courses. Approved courses are used toward the PMP training hours required to sit for the exam. For example, Penn State University has received approval for two such courses, Portfolio Management and Organizations and Project Planning and Resource Management.

Due to the high rate of interaction with the global marketplace and the complexity of international business, managers are looking more closely at applicants who have some familiarity with global markets and international culture, such as applicants who may have study abroad experience, traveled internationally, speak a foreign language or have lived or worked in another country.

What cargo operations manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Kim Roberts

Professor of Operations Management, Website

Business professionals lead organizations by focused efforts that revolve around products/services, processes, and people. Business professionals work to ensure the firm's products and/or services meet customer expectations, with an eye toward an ever-changing market. They manage processes that produce or support the firm's products. This requires the ability to analyze data to make informed decisions, to drive continuous improvement, and to solve problems through critical thinking. Successful business professionals must also create climates that promote teamwork and foster collaboration.

Do you want to know more?

List of cargo operations manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a cargo operations manager resume and required skills for a cargo operations manager to have include:

Customer Service
Safety Program
Cargo Operations
IATA
Logistics Support
TSA
De-icing

SLA
FAA
Air Cargo
Hazardous Materials
Level Agreements
Forwarders
Dangerous Goods

US Customs
Cargo Warehouse
Professional Development
Warehouse Operations
Government Agencies
DOD

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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