How to hire a cargo supervisor

How to hire a cargo supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step cargo supervisor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a cargo supervisor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new cargo supervisor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your cargo supervisor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a cargo supervisor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect cargo supervisor also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of cargo supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Cargo Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Cargo Supervisor		$15-62
   Transportation Coordinator	A transportation coordinator is responsible for monitoring the timely deliveries of goods and services based on the shipment agreement. Transportation coordinators track the delivery logistics, assigning fast routes to drivers to avoid possible delays, and adhere to the deadline... Show more	$12-24
   Distribution Coordinator	A distribution coordinator oversees and coordinates the distribution operations of a warehouse, ensuring products get to their destinations in a timely and accurate manner. They typically set guidelines and objectives, perform assessments and inspections, liaise with internal and external parties, and develop strategies to optimize operations... Show more	$13-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Procedures
   • Air Cargo
   • DOT
   • Dangerous Goods
   • IATA
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Cargo Operations
   • FAA
   • Transportation Security Administration
   • Government Agencies
   • Aircraft Cargo
   • Security Procedures
   • Load Weights
   • Audit Reports

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage effective service delivery and performance according to SLA's sign with customers and other stakeholders.
   • Manage payroll for individuals, and administrative duties to include counseling and mentoring individuals to maximum potential.
   • Supervise audits, ensure compliance with regulations of local law enforcement, F.A.A., TSA, OSHA, and IATA.
   • Follow all FAA rules and regulations.
   • Communicate with USPS to ensure quality performance.
   • Coordinate with USDA and exterminating company for the fumigation treatment of flowers that require such.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your cargo supervisor job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A cargo supervisor salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, cargo supervisors' average salary in idaho is 42% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level cargo supervisors earn 75% less than senior-level cargo supervisors.
   • Certifications. A cargo supervisor with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a cargo supervisor's salary.

   Average cargo supervisor salary

   $66,415yearly

   $31.93 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level cargo supervisor salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 20, 2025

4. Writing a cargo supervisor job description

   A job description for a cargo supervisor role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a cargo supervisor job description:

   Cargo supervisor job description example

   As a member of the Menzies Aviation Cargo Screening team, you will be responsible for carrying out Air Cargo Security Screening to the letter of the MSP and ACISP while following the MA Safety Policy inclusive of, but not limited to: wearing PPE, equipment operation, safe lifting procedures and obeying speed limits when driving company vehicles and equipment.
   
   Safety, Security, and Environmental stewardship are core values of Menzies Aviation (MA). MA has a duty of care to provide a safe workplace to our Employees. Similarly, all Menzies' employees have an obligation to assist in maintaining a safe work environment via the following principles:
   + Ensure that they work safely in accordance with company policy and procedures
   
   + Report safety incidents, risks or safety concerns using the Safety Management System (SMS) reporting system
   
   + Recognize opportunities to contribute to the continuous improvement of safety and its management
   
   + Stay current with information and knowledge relevant to performing their duties safely.
   
   Key Responsibilities
   
   + Carry out cargo screening functions to screen for IEDs, IED Components, or other destructive substances that may be found in air cargo
   
   + Operate screening equipment such as X-ray and ETD machines
   
   + Identify dangerous objects in cargo and preventing those objects from being transported onto aircraft with Explosive Trace Detection (ETD) equipment and visual and physical search
   
   + Complete the required equipment start-up procedures and documentation for each equipment type (ETD and X-ray)
   
   + Utilize handheld tools and power tools to assist with the opening and screening of certain cargo configurations
   
   + Ensure the capture and completion of the cargo screening logs for each piece of cargo screened
   
   + Continuously and effectively interact with stakeholders - Airline Customers, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Agents, Customs/Border Protection (CBP) Agents- and respond to inquiries in a professional business tone and manner
   
   + Work within a demanding environment, which includes noise from alarms, machinery, people, distractions, time pressure and the requirement to identify and locate potentially life-threatening devices and devices intended on creating massive destruction
   
   + Demonstrate diligence required to maintain security under the Airport Police, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Regulations. Carry out challenge procedures of any persons not displaying airport credentials
   
   + Conduct Alarm Resolution Procedures and Cargo Rendered Unusable Procedures as per the applicable security program.
   
   + Must follow all Airport and TSA Security procedures as required
   
   + Follow notification procedures when required.
   
   + Other duties as assigned
   
   Qualifications
   
   + Must be 18 years of age or older
   
   + Possess and maintain valid US driver's license
   
   + Must be able to pass all pre-employment testing to include drug testing and a physical
   
   + Ability to proficiently read, write and speak English
   
   + Must be able to lift 70lbs
   
   + Must be comfortable working in all weather conditions
   
   + Pass FBI background and obtain US Customs Seal
   
   + Must be available and flexible to work variable shifts including weekends and holidays
   
   + Prior loading and unloading of heavy products or equipment (preferred)
   
   + Forklift certification preferred
   
   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
   
   + Ability to learn quickly
   
   + Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and request clarification when needed
   
   + Strong interpersonal skills
   
   + Ability to work as part of a team
   
   + Ability to build relationships
   
   Benefits
   
   + Advancement Opportunities to Lead and Supervisor
   
   + Health, Dental, Vision, 401K
   
   + Life and Short-Term Disability Insurance
   
   + Paid Training
   
   + Uniform Provided
   
   Qualifications
   
   Behaviors
   
   Preferred
   
   + Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
   
   + Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
   
   + Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
   
   + Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
   
   Licenses & Certifications
   
   Required
   
   + DRIVERS LICENSE
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find cargo supervisors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any cargo supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level cargo supervisors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your cargo supervisor job on Zippia to find and recruit cargo supervisor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit cargo supervisors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new cargo supervisor

   Once you've found the cargo supervisor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new cargo supervisor. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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