Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Transportation Director

💰 $135,000 - $195,000+

TransportationLogisticsSupply ChainManagementOperations

🎯 Role Definition

As a Transportation Director, you are the strategic leader of our entire transportation ecosystem. You will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing all domestic and international freight movements, including fleet operations, carrier management, and logistics technology. This executive-level position requires a blend of deep operational expertise and high-level strategic thinking to build a resilient, cost-effective, and best-in-class transportation network. You will lead a dedicated team, manage a significant budget, and collaborate across departments to ensure our products move seamlessly from origin to final destination, directly impacting customer satisfaction and the company's bottom line.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

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

Advancement To:

  • Vice President (VP) of Logistics
  • Vice President (VP) of Supply Chain
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)
  • VP of Global Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Supply Chain
  • Director of Global Logistics
  • Director of Distribution & Warehousing

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive, long-term transportation strategy that aligns with overall business objectives, focusing on cost reduction, service level enhancement, and network optimization.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing transportation team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and proactive problem-solving.
  • Oversee the entire transportation budget, including financial planning, forecasting, variance analysis, and management of departmental P&L to achieve financial targets.
  • Direct all aspects of domestic and international transportation operations, including inbound/outbound freight, LTL, FTL, parcel, ocean, and air freight logistics.
  • Spearhead carrier sourcing, negotiation, and relationship management; establish and maintain contracts with a diverse portfolio of carriers to ensure competitive pricing and exceptional service.
  • Champion the selection, implementation, and optimization of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and other logistics technologies to improve visibility, efficiency, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Ensure absolute compliance with all local, state, federal, and international transportation regulations, including DOT, FMCSA, C-TPAT, and customs requirements.
  • Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, cost-per-mile/shipment, freight cost as a percentage of sales, and carrier performance.
  • Conduct regular network analysis and modeling to identify opportunities for route optimization, mode shifting, and consolidation to reduce costs and improve transit times.
  • Manage and oversee any dedicated or private fleet operations, including asset lifecycle management, driver safety programs, maintenance schedules, and fuel procurement strategies.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for transportation-related escalations, providing swift and effective resolutions to complex logistical challenges.
  • Collaborate closely with executive leadership, as well as heads of Procurement, Warehousing, and Sales, to ensure seamless integration of transportation into the broader supply chain.
  • Drive sustainability initiatives within transportation, exploring and implementing greener fleet options, reducing empty miles, and promoting environmentally friendly logistics practices.
  • Lead risk management and contingency planning for the transportation network to mitigate disruptions from weather, labor disputes, port congestion, or other external factors.
  • Manage the freight audit and payment process, ensuring accuracy, identifying discrepancies, and approving invoices in a timely manner.
  • Develop and implement robust safety and security protocols for all freight in transit, minimizing risk of theft, damage, and loss.
  • Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes to ensure the company's transportation strategy remains competitive and forward-thinking.
  • Prepare and present regular business reviews and strategic updates to the executive team, clearly communicating performance, challenges, and future initiatives.
  • Guide the logistics response for new product launches, market expansions, and changes in distribution strategy, ensuring transportation readiness.
  • Oversee final-mile delivery strategies and partnerships, optimizing for customer experience, cost, and speed in an e-commerce or direct-to-consumer environment.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional projects by providing expert transportation insights and data-driven analysis to teams such as sales, procurement, and finance.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the organization's supply chain technology stack, including the Transportation Management System (TMS) and ERP integration.
  • Collaborate with warehouse and distribution center leadership to synchronize inbound/outbound dock scheduling and resolve operational bottlenecks.
  • Participate in executive-level strategic planning sessions, representing the transportation function and its impact on overall business growth and profitability.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Deep expertise in using, implementing, and optimizing Tier 1 TMS platforms.
  • Logistics & Network Modeling: Proven ability to analyze and redesign transportation networks for efficiency and cost savings.
  • Carrier Contract Negotiation & Management: Demonstrable track record of successfully negotiating complex freight contracts and managing carrier relationships.
  • Regulatory Compliance: In-depth knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, and international shipping regulations (e.g., customs, Incoterms).
  • Budgeting & P&L Management: Strong financial acumen with experience managing multi-million dollar transportation budgets.
  • Data Analysis & KPI Reporting: Proficiency in analyzing logistics data to report on metrics like cost-per-mile, on-time performance, and accessorial spend.
  • Fleet Management: Experience with private or dedicated fleet operations, including maintenance, safety, and asset utilization.
  • Supply Chain Principles: Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end supply chain functions and interdependencies.
  • ERP System Proficiency: Familiarity with major ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and their integration with logistics modules.
  • Project Management: Ability to lead complex projects, such as a TMS implementation or network redesign, from conception to completion.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Leadership: Ability to set a vision, inspire a team, and drive strategic initiatives that align with corporate goals.
  • Exceptional Negotiation Skills: Masterful ability to negotiate with vendors, partners, and internal stakeholders to achieve favorable outcomes.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving Mindset: Capacity to dissect complex problems, interpret data, and develop effective, data-driven solutions.
  • Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to an executive audience.
  • Relationship Management: A natural ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with carriers, internal teams, and customers.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can effectively manage through ambiguity and disruption.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree (MBA or MS in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field)

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 10-15+ years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, or supply chain management.

Preferred:

  • A minimum of 7 years in a leadership role with direct responsibility for managing transportation teams, strategy, and budget. Experience in a similar industry (e.g., retail, CPG, manufacturing) is highly desirable.
Explore More Careers