Director of Transportation

MAT Holdings, Inc • Hawthorn Woods, IL

1d • $140,000 - $170,000

About The Position

The Director of Transportation will lead the end‑to‑end global Transportation strategy while optimizing North American operations for a complex manufacturing organization with multiple decentralized supply chains within five U.S. divisions. This role is accountable for transportation strategy, strategic sourcing, carrier management, and execution across domestic and international freight networks. The Director will drive sustained, measurable cost reductions while improving service and visibility across manufacturing plants, distribution centers, and customer channels. The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, transformation‑oriented leader with deep experience leveraging transportation technology and third‑party solutions to scale capabilities in a decentralized, matrixed environment and meet evolving global business requirements.

Requirements

• Strategic thinker with strong execution discipline
• Highly analytical and data‑driven
• Comfortable leading change in decentralized organizations
• Strong communicator and influencer at all levels
• Results‑oriented with an ownership mindset
• Must have working knowledge of ports, rails, & in-bound drayage operations.
• Demonstrated vendor management experience with transportation carriers
• Ability to perform monthly/quarterly operations, financial, and vendor business reviews
• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of logistics, transportation, or supply chain experience
• 5+ years in a leadership role (Manager / Senior Manager / Director)
• Demonstrate the capability to manage $60M+ transportation spend
• Demonstrated success delivering large‑scale cost reductions with documented results
• Hands‑on experience deploying technology across the supply chain
• Financial aptitude to support annual operating plans, budgeting, forecasting, and documenting cost savings and ROI analysis
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, CPG, industrial, or complex distribution environments

Nice To Haves

• Background in consulting, BPO, or transformation roles
• Lean / Six Sigma or continuous improvement certification

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a multi‑year transportation strategy aligned with business growth, cost, and service objectives
• Drive continuous improvement across people, process, and technology to improve Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
• Own end‑to‑end transportation strategy and execution across domestic and international networks
• Oversee transportation operations supporting multiple plants, distribution centers, and shipping locations across North America while leading Global Ocean Strategy from Global Manufacturing facilities across India, Vietnam, Mexico, and China.
• Ensure reliable service delivery while maintaining cost discipline in volatile market conditions
• Lead strategic sourcing events across all major transportation categories, including: TL, LTL, Small Parcel Global Air & Ocean Contracts and North American Drayage
• Build and execute Category Plans and Playbooks
• Identify and deliver on Continuous Improvement projects through sourcing, mode optimization, network design, and contract governance and collaboration with BU’s
• Improve Freight as a % of Sales, Cost Per Pound, as well as Inbound Drayage and Accessorial.
• Identify and execute cost avoidance opportunities through improved freight pay, audit, and claims management; utilize US Bank Freight Payment
• Leverage Freight Pop TMS data metrics, validation, and enhancements
• Partner with IT and deploy third-party tools to ensure data is clean and to enhance: Ocean & Domestic Logistics visibility Predictive analytics and reporting KPI dashboards and compliance scorecards
• Build, lead, and develop high‑performing transportation teams
• Organize teams into clear functional pillars (e.g., Strategic Sourcing vs. Execution)
• Foster category expertise, accountability, and data‑driven decision making
• Lead change management initiatives while maintaining operational continuity
• Develop and manage strategic relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and 3PL partners
• Implement disciplined spot‑buying and contract management processes
• Support Compliance Manager with import/export regulations, FDA requirements, and FSMA preventive controls
• Standardize routing guides and ensure adherence across global shipping locations
• Act as a trusted partner to all MAT Holdings Business Unit stakeholders in Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, Finance, Sales, and Customer Service
• Support critical shipments, peak periods, and escalation management when required, or project-based ad hoc assessments
• Drive stakeholder alignment through clear communication and data‑backed recommendations

Benefits

• MAT Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries offer a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and disability insurance after 60 days of employment
• Paid Time Off (PTO), including paid vacation, sick days, and paid holidays
• 401k Retirement Plan + Company Match
• Career Advancement Program, training and development
• Wellness Programs, including fitness reimbursements and mental health support
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Voluntary Life / AD&D , Employer Provided Life/AD&D
• and More

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees