Director of Transportation
Our client is a dependable leader in the drayage service sector and servicing the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. They believe in Consistent, Honest, Fact-Based Communication – this is the foundation from which they build their customers’ trust and loyalty. Our client has redefined drayage excellence with their solutions-driven approach; they focus on providing effective resolutions and thorough problem-solving. Their process-oriented methodology ensures they deliver reliability, efficiency, and innovation in every step of the process.Director of Transportation
The Director of Transportation is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all aspects of drayage services, including the movement of containers between ports, rail yards, terminal, and customer locations. This role ensures efficient, cost-effective, and compliant transportation operations while driving strategic initiatives to improve service levels, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in drayage, logistics, and transportation management, with a strong focus on operational excellence and team leadership. The role requires the ability to strategically solve problems and make decisions under pressure to ensure smooth operation of drayage services, maintain customer satisfaction and overall operational efficiency. Strategic management enables the director to integrate all operational elements such as people, processes, technology and regulations into a cohesive framework that drives organization success.
Job Type: Full-time
Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute long-term strategies to optimize drayage operations, aligning with company goals and customer needs.
- Identify and implement innovative solutions to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance service quality.
- Analyze market trends and competitive landscape to optimize service offerings.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with ports, shipping lines, and other freight stakeholders.
- Develop and execute long-term strategies to enhance drayage operations, including capacity planning and resource allocation.
- Identify opportunities for growth in the drayage market and develop strategies for market expansion.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to align operational goals with overall business objectives.
- Be an active agent for Lean Management (Visual Display Management / Workload Capacity Management, Continuous Improvement)
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of drayage services, ensuring on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as delivery times, cost per mile, and carrier performance.
- Implement process improvements to streamline operations and reduce inefficiencies.
- Prepare regular reports for senior management on operation performance, challenges, and improvements.
- Develop and implement a scorecard for customers and senior management.
- Negotiate and manage contracts with drayage carriers, ensuring competitive rates and high service levels.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, port authorities, rail operators, and other stakeholders.
- Negotiate contracts and service agreements to achieve favorable terms and conditions
- Conduct regular performance reviews of carriers and vendors, addressing issues and driving continuous improvement.
- Monitor and manage carrier performance, ensuring compliance with service level agreements (SLAs).
- Deployment of productivity and efficiency initiatives to improve operating margins and customer satisfaction by utilizing LEAN methodology tools.
- Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations governing drayage operations, including environmental and safety standards.
- Develop and enforce safety protocols to minimize risks and ensure the well-being of employees and partners.
- Stay updated on regulatory changes and industry trends, adapting policies and procedures as needed.
- Manage permitting, licensing, and reporting requirements for drayage operations.
- Develop and manage the annual budget for drayage operations, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
- Analyze financial data to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve profitability.
- Prepare and present financial reports to senior leadership, highlighting key metrics and trends.
- Lead and mentor a team of transportation professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
- Provide coaching and professional development opportunities to team members.
- Set clear performance expectations and conduct regular performance evaluations.
- Drive an office culture of accountability focused on service, communication, and solutions leading to improved customer experience.
- Develop policies, programs, procedures, and strategies for efficient operations.
- Development and Implementation of Key Performance Indicators.
- Leverage technology, such as Transportation Management Systems (TMS), GPS tracking, and data analytics, to optimize drayage operations.
- Explore and implement emerging technologies, such as automation and AI, to enhance efficiency and customer service.
- Collaborate with IT teams to integrate new tools and systems into drayage operations.
- Strategic daily Dispatch management, which includes implementing processes and procedures to minimize operational costs through route optimization and productivity.
- Development of Dispatchers: Train, mentor, and prepare staff to be best in class.
- Assist with container forecasting.
- Ensure that there are ample drivers to meet customer demand.
- Accountable for planning and strategies to optimize the daily dispatch to maximize driver and equipment capacity, avoiding demurrage, equipment per diem, dry runs, bobtails, incorrect deliveries, incomplete delivery paperwork, etc.
- Develop policies, programs, procedures, and strategies for efficient operation of transportation systems and terminal operations.
- Demonstrated expertise in the core operating systems utilized in dispatch and the management of the driver fleet (TMS, Telematics, GPS/Geo-fencing, etc.).
- Approves requisitions for equipment, materials, and supplies within the limits of the department budget
- Negotiates contracts with equipment and materials suppliers
- Maintenance and Repair- Development of a Maintenance and Repair program to detail metrics and corrective maintenance procedures, preventive maintenance procedures, risk-based maintenance, and condition-based maintenance. System integration for tracking repair schedules, staff, tools, parts, and mechanical assets.
- Maintenance Procedures: Detection of irregularity and aimed at restoring normal operating conditions.
- Preventive Maintenance: Maintenance is executed at predetermined times or according to specified criteria, targeted at reducing the failure risk or performance degradation of the equipment.
- Risk-based Maintenance: Integrating analysis, measurement, and periodic test activities to standard preventive maintenance.
- Condition-based Maintenance: Maintenance based on the equipment
performance monitoring; when certain indicators give the signaling that the equipment is deteriorating, the failure probability increases.
- Ensure execution of all on-site/remote guard policies and procedures.
- Ensure all camera audits, security guards, and security checklists are completed.
- Ensure GPS and cameras are working properly at all times.
- Monitors security vendor for full compliance with Ingate, Outgate, and Walkthrough checks and procedures.
- Meet designated KPIs weekly, monthly, and quarterly, according to Company policies.
- Other tasks and duties, as assigned.
- Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; MBA preferred.
- 7+ years of experience in operations management within the drayage transportation or logistics sector. In-depth knowledge of drayage operations, regulations, and industry best practices. Proven track record of leading and managing successful operations teams.
- To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Word.
- Balances team and individual responsibilities; contributes to building a positive team spirit.
- Adapts to changes in the work environment; manages competing demands.
- Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner.
- Builds commitment and overcomes resistance.
This position offers a competitive base salary.
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