Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yard Coordinator

💰 $40,000 - $65,000

LogisticsOperationsSupply Chain

🎯 Role Definition

The Yard Coordinator is responsible for the safe, efficient, and accurate movement and staging of trailers, containers, and freight within a facility yard. This role coordinates driver check-ins, trailer spotting, load/unload priorities, yard inventory, and communication between carriers, warehouse, and dispatch teams. The Yard Coordinator enforces safety and regulatory compliance, drives continuous improvement in yard throughput, and ensures real-time visibility of yard assets through TMS/WMS and barcode/RFID systems.

Key SEO keywords: Yard Coordinator, yard operations, trailer tracking, yard management, dock scheduling, inventory control, carrier coordination, forklift operation, yard safety, TMS/WMS.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Yard Jockey / Yard Driver
  • Warehouse Associate / Dock Worker
  • Logistics Coordinator / Dispatcher

Advancement To:

  • Yard Supervisor / Lead
  • Operations Supervisor / Manager
  • Logistics Manager / Distribution Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Transportation Coordinator
  • Inventory Control Supervisor
  • Fleet Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Manage daily yard operations by coordinating driver check-ins and check-outs, assigning trailer spots, and verifying load/unload priorities to maximize throughput and minimize detention time.
  • Maintain accurate real-time yard inventory and trailer status through TMS/WMS, barcode scanners, or RFID, reconciling physical assets with system records at shift change and on-demand.
  • Schedule and prioritize trailer moves and dock assignments in collaboration with warehouse leads and dispatch to meet shipping windows and reduce dwell time.
  • Inspect inbound and outbound trailers for damage, load integrity, seals, and paperwork accuracy; document discrepancies and initiate corrective actions to protect cargo and company liability.
  • Direct on-site yard jockeys and equipment operators, coordinating safe movement of trailers and containers while enforcing site-specific traffic patterns and spot rules.
  • Verify and process carrier paperwork, bills of lading, seals, and carrier check-in/out documentation, ensuring compliance with customer and regulatory requirements.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for carriers and drivers at the yard gate — provide clear instructions, ETA updates, and required documentation to expedite processing.
  • Monitor and enforce DOT, OSHA, and company safety policies in the yard, conduct safety briefings, and report incidents or near-misses immediately to site management.
  • Maintain yard capacity and layout plans, proactively reassigning slots to handle peak volumes and special freight (hazmat, refrigerated, high-value).
  • Coordinate temperature-controlled trailer staging and ensure refrigeration status is logged and communicated to shipping/receiving teams.
  • Investigate and resolve trailer misplacements, pick-up/delivery exceptions, and load mismatches by collaborating with dispatch, warehouse, and carriers.
  • Track and report yard KPIs such as dwell time, trailer turns, gate cycle time, detention minutes, and yard utilization; present trends and improvement opportunities to management.
  • Perform daily shift handovers and maintain accurate logbooks and electronic records for move histories, equipment usage, and incidents.
  • Manage yard security protocols including gate access, trailer seals, lighting, and CCTV monitoring; coordinate with security in case of theft, vandalism, or unauthorized access.
  • Coordinate preventative maintenance and basic equipment servicing for yard tractors, chassis, and yard lighting; escalate mechanical issues and schedule repairs with fleet maintenance.
  • Train new yard staff on yard procedures, equipment safety, documentation practices, and emergency response protocols to ensure consistent operations.
  • Execute freight staging and de-staging tasks during peak periods or special projects; supervise cross-functional labor to meet tight departure windows.
  • Liaise with customer service and sales teams to manage special handling requests, expedite shipments, and provide timely status updates for customers.
  • Implement and maintain accurate trailer labeling, placarding, and signage to reduce loading errors and streamline dock operations.
  • Support audits and third-party inspections by preparing yard records, demonstrating control processes, and implementing corrective actions from audit findings.
  • Use Excel and standard reporting tools to produce daily and weekly yard dashboards for senior operations leadership and continuous improvement teams.
  • Enforce hazardous materials handling and placarding rules, verify appropriate paperwork, and coordinate with compliance teams on any HAZMAT moves.

Secondary Functions

  • Support periodic inventory audits, root cause analysis for missing trailers, and reconciliation of manifested vs. physical inventory.
  • Assist in updating standard operating procedures (SOPs) and playbooks for yard operations and emergency response.
  • Participate in continuous improvement projects (5S, Kaizen, Lean) to reduce yard congestion, minimize damage, and streamline gate processing.
  • Generate ad-hoc reports on yard metrics, carrier performance, and detention trends to support commercial and operational decisions.
  • Provide backup support for gate operations during peak windows including issuing gate passes, scanning documentation, and validating carrier credentials.
  • Coordinate onboarding logistics for temporary yard staff and seasonal labor, including scheduling, PPE issuance, and site safety orientation.
  • Maintain accurate records for hazardous material movements and support compliance documentation requests from regulators or customers.
  • Assist procurement and maintenance teams by documenting needs for yard equipment replacement, signage, and safety barriers.
  • Support special projects like yard reconfiguration, new yard management system implementations, and cross-docking pilots.
  • Monitor and report environmental conditions that impact yard operations (flooding, snow/ice, extreme temperatures) and support site contingency execution.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Yard operations management and trailer staging expertise (spotting, spotting sequence, trailer turns).
  • Hands-on experience with TMS and WMS platforms (e.g., Oracle, SAP EWM, Blue Yonder, Manhattan) and gate management systems.
  • Proficient with RF barcode scanners, RFID systems, and handheld devices used for yard asset tracking.
  • Strong Microsoft Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data validation) and experience generating operational dashboards.
  • Familiarity with logistics KPIs: dwell time, trailer turns, gate cycle time, detention, and yard utilization metrics.
  • Basic mechanical knowledge for identifying trailer and chassis defects; ability to coordinate maintenance and service tickets.
  • Understanding of DOT, OSHA, and hazardous materials regulations relevant to yard and transportation operations.
  • Experience operating or coordinating yard tractors/jockeys and forklift operations (certification preferred for operators).
  • Gate and security procedures, seal verification, and documentation control best practices.
  • Knowledge of load securement standards and basic cargo damage assessment procedures.

Soft Skills

  • Clear verbal and written communication skills for interacting with drivers, carriers, warehouse teams, and customers.
  • Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and triage competing yard moves in a fast-paced environment.
  • Problem-solving mindset with the ability to diagnose root causes and implement corrective actions quickly.
  • Leadership and team coordination skills — able to direct operators and temporary labor efficiently.
  • High attention to detail to prevent shipping errors, documentation mistakes, and inventory discrepancies.
  • Customer-service orientation when working with external carriers and internal stakeholders to expedite shipments.
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure and make sound operational decisions during peak times or disruptions.
  • Time-management and scheduling proficiency to balance yard flow and dock commitments.
  • Adaptability to changing volumes, last-minute schedule changes, and shifting customer demands.
  • Collaborative approach to work with cross-functional teams on continuous improvement initiatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's degree or technical certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transportation, or Business Administration.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management
  • Transportation Operations
  • Business Administration
  • Industrial Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of experience in yard operations, distribution center yard coordination, or transportation logistics (or equivalent experience).

Preferred:

  • 3+ years in a yard coordinator/lead role with supervisory exposure, hands-on TMS/WMS experience, and demonstrated performance managing yard KPIs and safety programs.
Explore More Careers