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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Transport Director

💰 $150,000 - $250,000

LogisticsSupply ChainTransportationManagementOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Transport Director is a senior leadership position, acting as the strategic architect and operational commander of the entire transportation function within an organization. This role is fundamentally responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient movement of all goods, materials, and sometimes personnel. The Director develops and executes the overarching transportation strategy, ensuring it aligns with and propels the company's broader business objectives. They hold ultimate accountability for network design, carrier relationships, fleet management, budget adherence, and the performance of the entire transportation team, driving continuous improvement and ensuring the logistics network operates as a competitive advantage for the business.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Transportation Manager
  • Director of Logistics
  • Fleet Operations Director
  • Senior Supply Chain Manager

Advancement To:

  • Vice President of Logistics
  • Vice President of Supply Chain
  • Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO)
  • Vice President of Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Global Logistics
  • Director of Supply Chain Strategy
  • Operations Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop, articulate, and execute a comprehensive long-term transportation strategy that aligns with corporate goals for growth, customer service, and profitability.
  • Direct all facets of domestic and international transportation operations, including inbound/outbound freight, last-mile delivery, and reverse logistics.
  • Lead the strategic sourcing, negotiation, and management of high-value contracts with carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics (3PL) providers to secure optimal rates and service levels.
  • Establish, rigorously monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time pickup/delivery, cost-per-mile, freight cost as a percentage of sales, carrier performance, and safety incident rates.
  • Champion and enforce a culture of absolute safety and regulatory compliance, ensuring all operations adhere to DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, and other pertinent local, state, federal, and international regulations.
  • Provide executive oversight for the company's private or dedicated fleet, encompassing vehicle lifecycle management, preventative maintenance programs, fuel efficiency initiatives, and driver safety and performance programs.
  • Drive the selection, implementation, and optimization of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and other logistics technologies to enhance routing, load consolidation, real-time visibility, and network efficiency.
  • Formulate and manage the multi-million dollar annual transportation budget, including detailed forecasting, variance analysis, and the implementation of strategic cost-control measures.
  • Act as a key cross-functional partner, collaborating closely with executive peers in Supply Chain, Warehousing, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Sales to ensure seamless end-to-end operational flow.
  • Spearhead continuous improvement projects across the transportation network using methodologies like Lean Six Sigma to identify inefficiencies, reduce transit times, and elevate the customer experience.
  • Proactively identify and mitigate potential risks within the supply chain, developing robust contingency plans for disruptions like port congestion, carrier capacity shortages, weather events, or labor disputes.
  • Provide strong, inspirational leadership to the transportation organization, fostering a high-performance culture through mentorship, professional development, and clear, motivating communication.
  • Conduct in-depth analysis of complex logistics data, market trends, and fuel indices to inform strategic decisions regarding network design, mode selection, and carrier portfolio management.
  • Drive the organization’s sustainability goals within transportation by exploring and implementing green initiatives such as alternative fuels, network optimization to reduce empty miles, and eco-friendly packaging.
  • Oversee the freight audit and payment process to ensure billing accuracy, resolve discrepancies, and manage the carrier claims process from initiation to resolution.
  • Lead the formal Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) process for all major transportation services, ensuring a fair, data-driven, and transparent vendor selection.
  • Serve as the ultimate subject matter expert and escalation point for all critical transportation and logistics challenges, providing decisive leadership and effective problem resolution.
  • Evaluate emerging industry trends, technologies (like AI in logistics, autonomous vehicles, advanced telematics), and new business models to keep the company at the forefront of transportation innovation.
  • Ensure impeccable record-keeping and documentation for all shipments, including bills of lading, customs declarations, and proofs of delivery, to maintain compliance and support financial audits.
  • Cultivate and maintain powerful, collaborative relationships with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders, from the C-suite to warehouse associates and from key carrier executives to major customers.

Secondary Functions

  • Participate in high-level, cross-functional strategic planning sessions, providing critical input on the logistics implications of new products, market expansions, or M&A activities.
  • Represent the company as a thought leader at industry conferences, professional associations, and carrier councils to build the company's brand and stay ahead of market trends.
  • Collaborate with the Sales and Business Development teams to model transportation costs and design viable logistics solutions for prospective clients.
  • Work with Legal and Risk Management teams to review carrier contracts, manage insurance requirements, and ensure liability is appropriately covered across all transportation activities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Deep expertise in leveraging TMS platforms (e.g., Oracle TM, Blue Yonder, SAP TM) for planning, execution, and optimization.
  • Logistics Network Design: Proven ability to model, analyze, and re-design complex transportation networks to balance cost, service, and speed.
  • Contract Negotiation & Management: Mastery in negotiating complex, multi-million dollar freight and logistics contracts with asset-based carriers, brokers, and 3PLs.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Comprehensive knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, CSA, and international shipping regulations (Incoterms, customs).
  • Financial Acumen: Strong skills in budgeting, P&L management, financial forecasting, and cost analysis specific to transportation operations.
  • Data Analysis & Business Intelligence: Proficiency in using data to drive decisions, including experience with BI tools (Tableau, Power BI) to track KPIs and identify trends.
  • Fleet Management: In-depth understanding of private/dedicated fleet operations, including equipment lifecycle, maintenance, and driver management.
  • Supply Chain Principles: A holistic understanding of end-to-end supply chain management, including inventory, warehousing, and procurement interdependencies.
  • Mode-Specific Expertise: Knowledge across various transportation modes including Full Truckload (FTL), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Intermodal, Ocean, and Air Freight.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and develop long-range plans that create a competitive advantage.
  • Leadership & Mentorship: Inspiring and developing a large, diverse team; fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
  • Negotiation & Influence: Persuasively articulating a position and building consensus with both internal executives and external partners to achieve desired outcomes.
  • Problem-Solving: A decisive and analytical approach to identifying the root cause of complex issues and implementing effective, lasting solutions under pressure.
  • Exceptional Communication: The ability to clearly and concisely communicate complex logistical information to a variety of audiences, from drivers to the board of directors.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and effectively leading a team through ambiguity and disruption.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science (MS) in a relevant discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 10-15+ years

Preferred: A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience within transportation, logistics, or supply chain management, including at least 5 years in a senior leadership role with direct responsibility for managing a large-scale transportation network, a significant budget, and a team of logistics professionals. Experience in both asset-based and non-asset environments is highly desirable.

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