Labor & Logistics Manager

Department : Operations Location : Kenner, LA, with regular travel to La Vergne, TN, and select shows

Role summary

The Labor & Logistics Manager ensures every Synergy Design Group exhibit gets the right people and the right freight to the right place on time, at the quoted cost. This person owns labor and freight from estimate to return, and runs the planning rhythm that keeps the whole operations team ahead of the show calendar instead of behind it.

The role is also a team builder. Synergy is growing, and operations needs a leader who sets clear expectations, holds the team to them, and coaches people into stronger roles. Success is measured simply: deadlines met, every task in Basecamp, nothing marked done without proof.

Core responsibilities1. Labor planning and booking

• Build labor quotes for estimates with the PM and CE, using current rates by city and show
• Book installation and dismantle labor, third-party supervisors, and local crews for every show
• Schedule Synergy install crews across both sites, including booking travel and lodging
• Reconcile actual labor cost against the quote after every show and report variances
• Build and maintain a bench of approved labor providers by market, with rates and contacts
• Own the traveling supervisor plan so every show has a qualified lead and a named backup

1. Freight and logistics

• Quote and book freight for every outbound and return shipment: carrier, mode, advance warehouse, or direct-to-show
• Track every shipment from pickup to delivery and confirm arrival before the install team travels
• Make sure BOLs, labels, and shipping documents are complete before anything leaves the building
• Estimate material handling and show-site logistics costs with the PM
• File and follow damage and loss claims with carriers to resolution
• Manage carrier relationships, rates, and performance

1. Planning and deadlines

• Run a weekly Labor & Logistics Planning Meeting covering the next 6 weeks of shows
• For every show, set labor and freight booking deadlines working back from move-in and enter them as Basecamp To-Dos with owners and due dates
• Keep a rolling 90-day look-ahead of labor and freight needs against the show calendar, and flag capacity gaps before peak season
• Report any deadline at risk to the PM the same day, with the cause, the new date, and the options

1. Basecamp accountability and verification

The operations team will run on one rule: if it isn't in Basecamp, it isn't assigned, and if there's no proof, it isn't done.

• Every action item from an operations meeting is entered as a Basecamp To-Do with an owner and due date before the meeting ends
• No operations To-Do is marked complete without proof attached in a comment: a photo, confirmation number, BOL, form entry, or signed checklist
• Audit operations To-Dos weekly: overdue items, items with no owner or date, and a spot check of completed items for proof
• Reopen any To-Do closed without proof and follow up with the owner
• Hold the operations sections of the Basecamp Playbook current

1. Team leadership and coaching

• Hold weekly one-on-ones with each direct report, focused on priorities, roadblocks, and follow-through
• Set clear written expectations for each role, then coach to them
• Build and run Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for direct reports, including readiness plans for future lead roles
• Address missed deadlines and quality issues directly and early; document performance conversations with HR
• Build backup coverage so every critical task has a trained second person

1. Escalations and safety

• Serve as escalation Backup 2 for the install team when the PM and CE can't be reached
• Relay critical on-site and safety issues to leadership
• Confirm the escalation chain before every show
• Join rush priority change stand-ups whenever labor or freight dates are affected
• Act as Kenner's on-site lead for building issues: equipment escalations, the weekly Kenner warehouse huddle, and outbound Pre-Ship QC sign-off, following the Warehouse Manager's standards

1. Reporting

• Deliver a weekly operations scorecard to leadership every month: bookings on time, overdue To-Dos, To-Dos closed with proof, labor and freight cost vs. quote, and open claims

QualificationsRequired

• 5+ years in trade show, exhibit, event, or production logistics, including booking installation labor and freight
• 2+ years directly managing a team, with a track record of coaching people and raising accountability
• Hands-on experience with freight modes (LTL, FTL, air, advance warehouse vs. direct-to-show) and show-site material handling
• Experience building labor and freight quotes and reconciling actuals against them
• Runs work through a project management tool (Basecamp or similar) and expects the team to do the same
• Organized planner who works weeks ahead of deadlines, not days
• Clear, direct communicator with PMs, crews, vendors, and leadership
• Valid driver's license; able to travel between Kenner and La Vergne and to shows

Preferred

• Experience with union labor rules and general service contractors at major convention centers
• Experience managing teams across more than one location
• CTSM (Certified Trade Show Marketer) or similar industry credential
• Forklift certification (OSHA)

Physical requirements

• Work in warehouse and show-floor environments, including on your feet for extended periods
• Lift up to 50 lbs
• Occasional early, late, or weekend hours around show schedules

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• What annual salary range are you seeking for this role?
• How many years have you directly managed employees, including setting expectations, coaching, and addressing performance issues? Please give a brief example of a performance issue you had to address.
• What do you need from your manager to be successful, and how does that influence the way you manage and support your own team?
• How many years of hands-on experience do you have managing labor and freight logistics for trade shows, exhibits, events, or production? Please briefly describe what you personally owned.

Work Location: In person