Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Yard Marshal

🎯 Role Definition

A Yard Marshal (also called Yard Driver, Shunter, or Yard Spotter) is responsible for the safe, efficient movement and staging of trailers, containers and freight within a facility yard. This role ensures on-time trailer spotting and pick-up, enforces yard safety and compliance, communicates constantly with dispatch and drivers, and maintains accurate yard location and condition records. The Yard Marshal is a frontline logistics professional who keeps dock operations flowing and supports overall supply chain continuity.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Dock Worker / Warehouse Associate
Yard Attendant / Yard Helper
Shuttle Driver / Local Delivery Driver

Advancement To:

Yard Supervisor / Lead Marshal
Yard Manager / Terminal Supervisor
Logistics Coordinator / Fleet Coordinator
Operations Manager / Transportation Manager

Lateral Moves:

CDL Tractor Driver
Forklift Operator / Lift Truck Technician
Gate Agent / Shipping & Receiving Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Safely operate yard tractors, hostlers and shuttle trucks to move, spot, stage and assemble trailers and containers to assigned dock doors and storage locations, following facility layout, sequencing instructions and yard management system guidance.
Coordinate closely with dispatch, dock supervisors and truck drivers to pre-stage outbound trailers, ensure correct trailer orientation for loading/unloading, and meet scheduled appointment windows to minimize detention and dwell time.
Perform thorough pre- and post-trip vehicle inspections (brakes, lights, tires, coupling systems), document defects, tag equipment out of service when necessary and communicate mechanical issues to Fleet Maintenance to maintain DOT compliance and reduce breakdown risk.
Couple and uncouple trailers using kingpins, fifth wheels and landing gear while observing safe rigging and lock/seal procedures; ensure trailer landing gear is properly cranked and chocked to prevent rollaways during staging.
Use Yard Management Systems (YMS), RFID/GPS locators, handheld RF scanners and paper logs to record trailer/container locations, movement timestamps, seal numbers and condition notes; update the system in real time to support visibility and billing accuracy.
Conduct visual inspections of trailer and container exteriors for damage, water intrusion and load shifts; record and report any discrepancies or claims information and take photos when required for incident documentation.
Enforce yard speed limits, traffic flow patterns, designated pedestrian walkways and PPE requirements; proactively identify hazards such as debris, oil spills or unsecured loads and escalate or remediate them immediately.
Manage gate and curbside interactions: verify carrier paperwork, check seals and manifests, validate carrier/driver ID, and direct drivers to staging areas or docks while maintaining courteous, professional communication.
Stage inbound trailers for efficient unloading by assessing priority, product type, temperature requirements (for reefer units), and dock availability; communicate urgent staging needs to operations and warehouse leads.
Assist with trailer swap-outs and swap trailer programs by ensuring correct trailer selection, movement and documentation to support continuous production or loading operations across shifts.
Execute safe shunting operations including blind spots, backing maneuvers and reversing procedures using spotters when required; maintain constant situational awareness to protect people and equipment.
Secure trailers after spotting by verifying doors are closed, locks/seals applied, and chassis secure; mark or tag trailers that require loading, unloading, quarantine or repairs.
Support reefer management: connect/disconnect power, verify set points, monitor temperature alarms, and coordinate with maintenance for reefer faults to protect temperature-sensitive freight.
Maintain accurate physical and digital logs of trailer dwell times, gate entries/exits, detention events and detention waivers; provide daily or shift reports to supervisors to support KPI tracking and carrier billing.
Respond to and assist in incident and near-miss investigations by collecting witness statements, photographing scenes, and completing root cause details to drive corrective actions and training.
Perform basic preventive maintenance tasks such as checking fluid levels, replenishing air pressure, cleaning windows and lights, and reporting mechanical issues to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
Support loading/unloading operations during peak periods by assisting with loose freight handling, door changes and pallet transfers, ensuring smooth throughput across the dock and yard interface.
Communicate proactively with internal stakeholders (warehouse, maintenance, health & safety, carriers) about yard congestion, equipment shortages and weather-related impacts to minimize delays and operational risk.
Adhere to and promote DOT, OSHA, company and client-specific safety, security and environmental policies, including hazardous materials handling, lockout/tagout, and confined space entry when applicable.
Maintain yard cleanliness and organization: pick up debris, re-stack wheel chocks and cones, reset signage and ensure aisles and gate areas remain unobstructed for safe movement.
Train and mentor new Yard Marshals and temporary/seasonal staff on safe yard practices, equipment operation, documentation procedures and company SOPs to maintain consistent service levels and compliance.

Secondary Functions

Assist operations teams with cycle counts, inventory reconciliation and locating misplaced trailers or assets during audits and stock checks.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives such as 5S, kaizen events and route/time studies to reduce yard congestion and lower trailer dwell time.
Help coordinate third-party vendor access, contractor movements and emergency response activities in the yard when maintenance or external services are required.
Support seasonal surges and special projects by flexing to early/late shifts, overtime and weekend coverage as business demand dictates.
Maintain and secure spare keys, seals and safety equipment inventory; requisition or escalate shortages to supervisors for timely replenishment.
Contribute data and operational insights for monthly KPI reviews including dwell time, move-per-hour, on-time appointments and safety incident trends.
Liaise with customer service and carrier relations to resolve mismatches in load information, missing documentation or damaged freight claims.
Participate in classroom and hands-on training to keep certifications current (e.g., PTO operation, forklift refresher) and to remain updated on regulatory changes and company policy.
Execute ad-hoc tasks as assigned by yard leadership to support customer commitments, including special handling or expedited movements for priority freight.
Support digital transformation efforts by providing user feedback on YMS/mobile apps, assist in beta testing new features and champion adoption among frontline teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified experience operating yard tractors/hostlers, yard spotters, shuttle trucks and hostler vehicles in a busy terminal environment.
Proficient with Yard Management Systems (YMS), TMS interfaces, handheld RF scanners and GPS/RFID trailer-location tools for real-time asset visibility.
Ability to perform DOT-style pre-trip and post-trip inspections, document defects and execute basic preventive maintenance and defect reporting.
Knowledge of trailer coupling/uncoupling procedures (kingpin, fifth wheel), landing gear operation, and securement methods for safe spotting and shunting.
Experience with reefer trailer monitoring and basic temperature control procedures, including power connections and alarm escalation.
Familiarity with carrier paperwork, bills of lading, load manifests, seal verification and basic freight documentation required at the gate.
Competence using two-way radios, mobile communication tools and clear hand signals for safe vehicle movement and crew coordination.
Basic mechanical aptitude to identify common trailer and chassis issues (lights, brakes, tires) and accurately communicate repairs needed to maintenance.
Understanding of OSHA, DOT and client-specific safety regulations, hazardous materials recognition and emergency reporting procedures.
Ability to read yard layouts, staging plans, dock door assignments and shipping schedules to sequence moves for maximum dock efficiency.
Comfortable using digital logs, spreadsheets and reporting tools to capture move counts, dwell times and incident reports for management review.
Forklift and other material handling certifications are a plus for multi-functional yard support roles.

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and safety-first mindset — prioritizes people and property protection before speed.
Clear, professional communication with drivers, dispatchers and warehouse teams; able to de-escalate conflicts and clarify instructions under pressure.
Excellent time management and ability to sequence tasks to meet appointment windows and shifting priorities during peak periods.
Problem-solving orientation: quickly diagnoses yard bottlenecks, proposes practical mitigations and follows through until resolved.
Team-player attitude: collaborates across shifts and departments to ensure continuity and smooth handoffs.
Attention to detail when inspecting equipment, verifying seals, and recording documentation to prevent chargebacks and claims.
Physical stamina and dexterity to perform repeated climbs, coupling tasks and walking long distances in varied weather conditions.
Adaptability to changing schedules, last-minute reroutes and high-volume surges while maintaining quality and safety.
Customer service focus when interacting with carriers and third-party partners to foster positive relationships and repeat business.
Coaching and mentoring skills to help onboard new or temporary yard staff and maintain a consistent skill standard.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED; equivalent combination of education and experience considered.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training or certifications related to logistics, vehicle operation, or safety (e.g., forklift, spotter, basic fleet maintenance).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Logistics and Supply Chain
Transportation Management
Heavy Equipment Operation
Occupational Safety and Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years yard or warehouse experience for entry-level roles; 1–5 years preferred for full competency.

Preferred:

1+ years operating yard tractors/hostlers or experience in yard/terminal environments.
Prior experience with YMS or TMS software, forklift operation and basic trailer/pre-trip inspection procedures.
Valid driver’s license; CDL preferred or required depending on company and specific yard tractor classification.
Proven track record of safe operations, strong attendance, and the ability to work varied shifts including nights and weekends.