Sarah Marley
Sarah Marley is the Terminal Operations Manager at Greatway Transportation Inc., where she leads end-to-end terminal operations with a focus on efficiency, growth, and team development. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management with a minor in Marketing and brings over 14 years of experience in logistics, transportation, and international supply chain operations. Her career began when she entered the industry through an entry-level logistics opportunity and was mentored by a professional named Mike, who introduced her to the fundamentals of freight operations and customer relations. Under his guidance, she developed a strong foundation in working with diverse domestic and international clients, learning how to navigate cultural differences, communication styles, and service expectations. One of the most lasting lessons from that early experience was the importance of authenticity and professionalism in communication, which she carries into every interaction and is reflected in her approachable and personable leadership style.
Sarah went on to build a strong career with DSV – Global Transport and Logistics, where she managed the Ford Motor Company air export account. In this role, she was responsible for coordinating high-volume international shipments of automotive parts to global destinations including China and Dubai. Her work required precision, compliance with international customs regulations, and close collaboration with carriers, customs brokers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate delivery. This experience significantly expanded her expertise in global logistics, air and ocean freight operations, and customs clearance processes, while strengthening her ability to manage complex, time-sensitive supply chain requirements at a high level of accountability.
Three years ago, Sarah transitioned into her current role at Greatway Transportation Inc., where she was entrusted with building and leading a terminal operation from the ground up. She developed the foundational processes, procedures, and workflows necessary to establish operational stability and scalability, transforming the facility into a growing $3 million annual operation. In her leadership role, she oversees warehouse and terminal teams, drives operational performance, and ensures seamless coordination across shipping, receiving, inventory control, and freight movement. She has also played a key role in freight procurement, team development, and relationship building with carriers and customers. Known for fostering a strong culture of teamwork and accountability, she leads a diverse group she refers to as the “Land of Misfits,” valuing the unique strengths each team member brings. Committed to mentorship, she actively supports the development of women within her organization while maintaining a hands-on leadership approach in a fast-paced and evolving logistics environment she takes great pride in helping grow every day.
• Cleary University - BBA, Business Administration and Management, General
What do you attribute your success to?
I would contribute my success to a couple things. My family has raised me to have work ethic - you don't put 100%, you put 200% in anything you do. The second thing would be your word. When I give my word on something, it actually means something to people. They know I have it, and I'm gonna do what I say, and that resonates with people, especially in my industry. My personality is important too - I'm Sweet Sarah, but when it comes to work, I'm known as kind of a stern manager. Super nice and everything, but when it comes to business, business comes first. The company comes first, and the customers come first. I've been told I'm one of the most anal people ever met, and I guess it's a good thing in my industry, because I'm just very structured and I follow things up A to Z. I'm known for that in my company and with customers, so I've built a lot of phenomenal relationships where when someone calls me and I say that I have something, they can sleep at night, or if there's an issue, I'm gonna look into it. Building that relationship trust is probably key to my success.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I can quote something that my first mentor told me. He told me, Sarah, you can't be a salt shaker or a pepper shaker, you have to be a salt and pepper shaker, which means you have to be able to adapt and adjust and move in my industry, problem solve. You can't have a narrow mind on anything, you have to be able to think outside the box for customers, freight, problem-solving skills. That would be my advice, not to be a salt or pepper shaker, but be both, and be yourself. That's what's gotten me through things - learning to adapt in roles and think outside the box. In logistics, you have to be able to love what you do and move with the current market. Logistics is like a stock market, and it's up and down, and you have to be able to adapt to be able to survive in this industry and think outside the box. Adapting, be yourself, team player - those would probably be my top 3 things that saved me. You can be super smart in this industry, and if you don't have the adapting skills, the people skills, or the drive, you're not going to be successful.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give is always be yourself. Never second-guess yourself when you're passionate about something. Be assertive. Even when being assertive isn't popular amongst your coworkers or customers, being that assertiveness, don't shy away from issues or problems or people, because that's how you're going to make a name for yourself. That is what sticks out for me, that I wish younger Sarah would have known. I was shy Sarah 13 years ago. I wish I would have had that more when I was younger.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the challenges I would say is that I work in a male-dominated industry. Working with other male managers, company, or other male people presents unique challenges. I'm 5'2", and I have long black hair, and I'm super girly, and I like to shop. I think sometimes people, appearance-wise, when I walk into meetings, you almost have to constantly balance being too over-aggressive or not aggressive enough, because then people are gonna walk on me. So I think a lot of challenges I have internally is just that fine line of coming off nice, but then coming off assertive. That's a big challenge for me. And just being recognized in my industry as a strong, successful terminal manager in the logistics field, which I think it's getting better, but I feel like my field has a long way to go when it comes to women.