The Hostler role sits at the core of our Operations function, ensuring the continuous, safe, and efficient movement of freight and equipment across the service center. This position directly impacts dock flow, trailer utilization, and overall throughput—making it essential to maintaining operational velocity and service reliability.

As freight volumes scale and operational complexity increases, precision in yard and dock coordination becomes a critical advantage. Success in this role means minimizing delays, maintaining a clean and organized workspace, and enabling seamless handoffs between inbound, outbound, and storage functions. The Hostler ensures that the right assets are in the right place at the right time—every time.

What you’ll do

1. Execute yard and dock movement with precision

• Shuttle empty and loaded trailers across dock doors, staging areas, and parking lots
• Interpret work orders and verbal instructions to prioritize equipment movement
• Align trailer positioning with inbound/outbound scheduling needs
• Maintain continuous flow to eliminate bottlenecks and idle time

2. Support freight handling operations

• Load, unload, and transport freight across dock, storage, and staging areas
• Move materials using forklifts, pallet jacks, or industrial equipment
• Stack, bundle, and secure freight to ensure safe handling and shipment readiness
• Verify and count freight accurately during movement

3. Maintain safety, compliance, and equipment standards

• Follow all safety protocols, including hazardous material handling procedures
• Perform routine checks and safe operation of forklifts and hoisting equipment
• Secure loads properly to prevent damage or operational risk
• Maintain clean, organized, and hazard-free work areas

4. Enable operational efficiency and teamwork

• Coordinate closely with operations and dock supervisors to align priorities
• Participate actively in team initiatives to improve workflow and productivity
• Adapt to shifting demands with speed and attention to detail
• Support team performance by maintaining consistency and reliability

5. Execute with accountability and attention to detail

• Track tasks and complete assignments with minimal supervision
• Manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and safety
• Apply sound judgment in dynamic, fast-paced environments
• Communicate clearly across teams to ensure operational clarity

What you bring

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 0–3 years of experience in warehouse, logistics, or freight handling environments
• Forklift certification or ability to obtain certification
• Hazardous Materials training or willingness to complete training
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, work orders, and procedural documentation
• Working math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, decimals, and fractions)
• Strong verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate across operations teams
• Proven ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and handle multiple responsibilities
• Demonstrated sound judgment in environments with limited structure
• Preferred: Experience operating yard tractors, hoists, or other material handling equipment

How you operate

• You think in systems, ensuring flow and coordination across moving parts
• You take ownership of outcomes, not just assigned tasks
• You prioritize safety without compromising efficiency
• You execute quickly with precision and discipline
• You maintain focus and composure in fast-paced, high-demand environments
• You communicate clearly and escalate issues proactively
• You adapt to changing priorities without losing operational control

About Roadrunner

We’re not just moving freight; we’re reimagining long-haul shipping. Our Smart Network™ offers more direct long-haul metro-to-metro routes than any other nationwide LTL carrier in the United States, with service extending into Canada and Mexico and terminals across 40+ metro markets. Powered by AI and machine learning, our operations platform ensures real-time tracking, custodial control, and full shipment visibility. With driver teams executing over-the-road (OTR) moves — and no freight moving on rail — customers experience industry-leading transit times, minimal rehandling, and dramatically reduced risk of loss or damage.

Our 900+ owner-operators benefit from scheduled freight, fewer touches by design, consistent long-haul density, and a differentiated metro-to-metro model that creates predictable earning opportunities.

This precision and performance have earned Roadrunner national recognition by over 3,000 shippers, and was ranked this year #1 in Operations, #1 in Technology, and #1 in Value in the Quest for Quality Awards, as well as honors as a Top 100 Trucking Company by Inbound Logistics and a Top Tier Service Carrier by Mastio.

We’re growing fast. Roadrunner is building something special with great people, a winning culture and a differentiated service offering in the marketplace.  Join us today to grow your career!

We Run Safe. We Run Smart. We Run Together.

Compensation & Setup

• Pay: $18.00–$20.00 per hour
• Location: Onsite – Chicago, IL
• Benefits: Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and paid time off

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and talk and hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and smell.
• The employee must regularly lift and or move up to 50 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 80 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include color vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving vehicles, outside weather conditions and vibrations. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, high precarious places, and extreme temperatures.
• The noise level in the work area is usually moderate to high.
• The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the position and are not intended to be all inclusive.
• The position and any of the requirements listed above are subject to change at any time according to the changing needs of the company.

* The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the position and are not intended to be all inclusive. The position and any of the requirements listed above are subject to change at any time according to the changing needs of the company.

* Roadrunner is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

* We will not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters or recruiting agencies. Thank you!

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