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Terminal operations supervisor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Xu Zhang Ph.D.,

Nina Woodard

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical terminal operations supervisor skills. We ranked the top skills for terminal operations supervisors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 35.7% of terminal operations supervisor resumes contained dot as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a terminal operations supervisor needs to be successful in the workplace.

14 terminal operations supervisor skills for your resume and career

1. DOT

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use dot:

Complied with OSHA, DOT guidelines to promote a safe, clean working environment.
Developed, maintained, and reviewed driver training records to ensure all DOT, FMCSA, and OSHA requirements were current.

2. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use logistics:

Established controls to ensure maximum logistics readiness for supply and transportation related support activities for U.S. and Turkish aviation units.
Developed distribution continuity plans--ensured unhindered flow of critical supplies in event of catastrophic destruction of logistics support pipeline.

3. LTL

Less than truckload freight shipping also called LTL shipping is used for the transportation of goods or products that does not require a full truckload due to the smaller nature of the parcel. LTL shipments are usually arranged on pallets for smaller shipments and can range anywhere from 100 to 5,000 pounds.

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use ltl:

Understand the LTL business from A to Z.
Progressed from LTL Driver to Dock Supervisor, to Morning Dispatcher, and ultimately to Assistant Terminal Manager.

4. OSHA

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use osha:

Monitor and enforce compliance with OSHA and Environmental Health and Safety Regulations; cargo control standards and loss prevention initiatives.
Implemented railroad safety and quality control policies from OSHA and the Department of Transportation reducing operator violations by 25 percent.

5. 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 terminal operations supervisors use safety program:

Manage plant safety programs (Behavior Based Safety).
Lead safety programs for my area or responsibility, incident reporting and root cause failure analysis.

6. Safety Rules

Principles or regulations that ensure the protection of people, objects, or the environment are called safety rules. These rules can be governing actions, devices, or procedures that help in minimizing the risks of loss, injury, or damage.

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use safety rules:

Ensured operations personnel comply with administrative policies, procedures, safety rules, government regulations.
Facilitated numerous company safety programs; and enforced safety rules and compliance with all government regulations.

7. Storage Tanks

Storage Tanks are vessels containing substances in the form of liquid and gases which can be stored underground and above the ground. These containers can hold matter such as waste materials, chemicals, water, and petroleum. They come in shapes of horizontal and vertical cylinders with either open or closed tops.

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use storage tanks:

Facilitated day-to-day cable maintenance and storage tank inspection.

8. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use payroll:

Facilitated accurate time recording and timely submission to payroll.
Documented and maintained accurate payroll records.

9. 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 terminal operations supervisors use hazardous materials:

Ensured full compliance with company safety standards, government regulatory requirements including OSHA and hazardous materials handling.
Instructed personnel in proper operations and procedures and handling of hazardous materials.

10. FRA

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use fra:

Served as local company liaison to host railroad, AAR, and FRA.
Meet strict time limits set by BNSF and FRA.

11. Equipment Maintenance

Equipment maintenance is any process that includes the use of maintenance methods and procedures to keep the organization's equipment in good and reliable working condition. This may include routine maintenance as well as corrective repairs. The practice takes place in a variety of settings, including catering establishments, industrial factories, manufacturing facilities, hotels, etc.

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use equipment maintenance:

Provided after hours on-call assistance on a weekly basis and kept track of equipment maintenance.
Company equipment maintenance on track and company budgeting and tracking system on track.

12. Load Planning

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use load planning:

Completed weight and balance data for takeoff/landing, and load planning purpose.
Maintain scheduling and load planning for clients.

13. Inventory Control

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use inventory control:

Managed inventory control, ensuring adequate inventory supply levels and negotiated with vendors to secure top quality equipment/supplies at cost-effective rates.
Provided daily supervision operations activities related to the material requisition, inventory control, shipping/receiving and storage functions.

14. Computer System

Here's how terminal operations supervisors use computer system:

Dispatched trucks and drivers via the computer system.

What skills help Terminal Operations Supervisors find jobs?

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

What skills stand out on terminal operations supervisor resumes?

Xu Zhang Ph.D.

Chair, Farmingdale State College

I believe the most important attributes employers seek on a resume remain the same-problem solving skills, team work skills, analytical/quantitative skills, verbal and written communication skills. However, given the pandemic or any other unexpected shock to work environment, how to quickly and efficiently adapt to new work modes can be a very valuable attribute standing out on resume.

What terminal operations supervisor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Nina Woodard

Senior Career Development Specialist, Belmont University

For entertainment, digital marketing and content creation skills are critical. Even if a role isn't specifically connected to digital marketing, social media is almost always involved in most entry-level roles. We strongly encourage students and recent graduates to learn basic graphic design platforms, video editing and audio editing. Learning how to maximize impact on social media platforms such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok is also a worthy investment of time. There's a wide range of self-paced training resources online, many available for free or at reduced costs for students.

What type of skills will young terminal operations supervisors need?

Craig Nathanson Ph.D.

Adjunct Lecturer, Sonoma State University

I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.

Do you want to know more?

List of terminal operations supervisor skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a terminal operations supervisor resume and required skills for a terminal operations supervisor to have include:

DOT
Logistics
LTL
OSHA
Safety Program

Safety Rules
Storage Tanks
Payroll
Hazardous Materials
FRA

Equipment Maintenance
Load Planning
Inventory Control
Computer System

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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