Director, Global Transportation

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Director, Global Transportation based in the United States.

This is a senior leadership opportunity responsible for shaping and optimizing an end-to-end global transportation network across domestic and international freight channels. You will define transportation strategy while ensuring reliable, cost-effective, compliant, and scalable logistics operations. The role spans ocean, truckload/LTL, parcel, drayage, multimodal transportation, and global freight management. You will lead carrier strategy, performance governance, RFPs, cost optimization, risk management, and operational excellence initiatives. Success will require balancing strategic planning with hands-on involvement in daily transportation execution and complex shipment challenges. You will work closely with supply planning, manufacturing, distribution, procurement, quality, regulatory, and customer-facing teams. This role is ideal for an experienced transportation executive who thrives in regulated environments and can build high-performing teams and carrier partnerships.

Accountabilities:: Lead domestic and international transportation operations across ocean, parcel, truckload/LTL, drayage, and multimodal freight networks.

Develop and execute a global transportation strategy aligned with business growth, customer service, supply chain, and operational objectives.

Establish scalable transportation processes, governance, and operating standards that improve visibility, predictability, consistency, and execution.

Oversee shipment booking, routing, tracking, exception management, escalation processes, and proactive communication throughout the transportation lifecycle.

Improve transit-time reliability, transportation efficiency, and freight performance across distribution centers, manufacturing sites, and global partners.

Build and manage a comprehensive carrier performance program, including KPIs, scorecards, service-level expectations, Quarterly Business Reviews, performance reviews, and corrective action plans.

Optimize the carrier portfolio across ocean carriers, NVOCCs, freight forwarders, parcel providers, domestic carriers, and other logistics partners.

Lead transportation RFPs and sourcing initiatives across domestic freight, ocean, NVOCC, forwarding, and global 3PL services.

Benchmark transportation rates, assess market conditions, analyze lane economics, and develop data-driven carrier award recommendations.

Maintain strategic relationships with carriers and logistics providers while ensuring contractual, service, cost, and compliance commitments are met.

Analyze transportation costs, network efficiency, modal utilization, and cost drivers to identify consolidation, optimization, and long-term savings opportunities.

Support transportation budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and continuous improvement initiatives while maintaining appropriate service levels.

Ensure transportation processes align with medical device requirements, documentation standards, global trade regulations, and applicable compliance expectations.

Maintain audit-ready transportation documentation and appropriate product traceability throughout logistics workflows.

Develop risk mitigation strategies for port disruptions, geopolitical events, carrier failures, capacity constraints, and other global transportation risks.

Partner with supply planning, distribution, manufacturing, quality, procurement, customer service, and regulatory teams to align transportation capabilities with business priorities.

Participate in S&OP activities and support new product introductions, market expansion, and customer-focused logistics initiatives.

Lead, coach, and develop transportation professionals through clear objectives, performance management, succession planning, talent development, and continuous feedback.

Manage team resources and budgets responsibly while fostering accountability, inclusion, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Stay informed about transportation market cycles, regulatory developments, emerging technologies, and global logistics trends to guide strategic decisions.

Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or a related field required; an advanced degree is preferred.

10+ years of progressive leadership experience in transportation, logistics, or global supply chain.

Proven experience managing complex global freight operations and diverse carrier networks across multiple transportation modes.

Deep expertise in ocean freight, domestic truckload/LTL, parcel, drayage, multimodal transportation, and international logistics.

Strong knowledge of global freight management, carrier strategy, transportation sourcing, RFP execution, and logistics provider management.

Working knowledge of Incoterms, customs processes, international trade requirements, and global transportation compliance.

Experience operating within regulated industries such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, healthcare manufacturing, or similarly controlled environments is strongly preferred.

Demonstrated ability to develop and manage transportation KPIs, carrier scorecards, dashboards, performance analytics, and service-level metrics.

Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and related transportation technologies.

Strong analytical and financial capabilities, including transportation cost analysis, lane economics, budgeting, forecasting, benchmarking, and cost-to-serve optimization.

Demonstrated success negotiating with and managing carriers, freight forwarders, NVOCCs, 3PLs, and other logistics partners.

Strong understanding of operational risk management and the ability to develop mitigation strategies for disruptions, capacity challenges, and geopolitical events.

Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across supply chain, procurement, manufacturing, quality, regulatory, and commercial functions.

Ability to operate strategically while remaining engaged with day-to-day operational execution and complex transportation issues.

Strong problem-solving, decision-making, organizational, and continuous-improvement skills.

Results-oriented mindset with a strong focus on accountability, service performance, efficiency, and cost optimization.

Ability to lead, mentor, motivate, and develop high-performing teams.

Willingness and ability to travel up to approximately 30%, including occasional international travel.

Benefits:

Competitive annual salary of approximately $160,000–$180,000 , with final compensation determined by experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location.

Potential eligibility for bonus, commission, or other incentive compensation depending on position and eligibility.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.

401(k) retirement savings plan.

Paid time off and paid holidays.

Bereavement and medical leave benefits.

Employee Assistance Program resources.

Opportunities to lead a high-impact global transportation function within a growing healthcare and medical products environment.

Significant exposure to international logistics, global carrier strategy, transportation technology, and supply chain transformation.

Leadership and professional development opportunities through team-building, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration.

A workplace culture centered on customer focus, accountability, continuous improvement, inclusion, and operational excellence.

How Jobgether works: We use an AI-powered matching process to ensure your application is reviewed quickly, objectively, and fairly against the role's core requirements. Our system identifies the top-fitting candidates, and this shortlist is then shared directly with the hiring company. The final decision and next steps (interviews, assessments) are managed by their internal team. We appreciate your interest and wish you the best!  Why Apply Through Jobgether?    Data Privacy Notice: By submitting your application, you acknowledge that Jobgether will process your personal data to evaluate your candidacy and share relevant information with the hiring employer. This processing is based on legitimate interest and pre-contractual measures under applicable data protection laws (including GDPR). You may exercise your rights (access, rectification, erasure, objection) at any time.     #LI-CL1