Director Operations - Defense

ICAT LOGISTICS INC•Columbia, MD

14h•$146,816 - $172,725

About The Position

The Director Operations - Defense oversees operational execution, customer experience, compliance, and process efficiency for ICAT’s Defense Contracting business subvertical. The role collaborates with the subvertical commercial lead and vertical leadership team to identify and drive strategic growth initiatives. As the senior operational authority within the defense vertical, the Director aligns execution strategy with customer requirements, compliance standards, financial performance, and long-term growth objectives. The role leads a Control Tower team responsible for mission-critical defense logistics and freight movements, supporting efficient, profitable execution and long-term customer growth through vertical-specific solutions. The Director leads domestic and international defense-related shipments across transportation modes; develops operational strategies, workflows, and SOPs; supports customer retention, business development, pricing, carrier selection, and defense logistics proposals; and serves as an escalation point for sensitive or high-priority shipments. The role maintains carrier and vendor relationships, monitors performance, supports regulatory and safety compliance, and acts as an internal subject matter expert for defense-related operational processes. The position drives operational efficiency, profitability, service quality, and continuous improvement; monitors KPIs; contributes to budgeting, forecasting, and cost management; and collaborates across Procurement, Operations, Sales, Security, Compliance, and Technology. It manages and develops staff, including hiring, onboarding, training, performance management, coaching, and team communications. Most work is performed indoors in an office setting. Travel is required, up to 30%.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Logistics, Operations Management, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in freight forwarding or transportation operations across multiple modes.
At least 5 years of experience leading others.
Prior leadership role within a freight forwarder, 3PL, defense logistics provider, or government logistics environment.
Ability to lead, mentor, and share knowledge with team members and foster accountability.
Ability to plan and set priorities effectively and implement plans.
Analytical and problem-solving skills in a time-sensitive logistics environment.
Strong time management and ability to meet deadlines, multitask, and maintain attention to detail in a fast-paced setting.
Strong communication and listening skills, and ability to motivate people.
Ability to interact successfully across varied settings and with a broad, diverse workforce.
Ability to work in a client-centric setting and adapt as priorities shift.
Consistent follow-up and follow-through; motivated, positive team-player attitude and personal integrity.
Ability to use hands regularly for typing, handling, or feeling; vision abilities including close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focusing; and clear oral communication.
Ability to push, pull, lift, carry, or maneuver weights up to 20 pounds; sit for prolonged periods and occasionally stoop, climb, or squat.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree.
Advanced understanding of international and domestic freight forwarding operations.
Functional knowledge of government transportation requirements, compliance expectations, and defense logistics operations.
Dangerous goods or hazmat knowledge.
Experience managing operational escalations and high-priority shipments.
Strong knowledge of applicable transportation and trade regulatory frameworks.
Experience managing carrier and vendor relationships.
Commercial, financial, and analytical skills.
Track record of building relationships and gaining credibility with customers and vendors.
Experience with expedited, project cargo, or time-critical logistics.
Intermediate skills with Microsoft Office products.
Ability to adapt to ICAT’s core values.

Responsibilities

Lead the team managing daily operational activities supporting ICAT’s defense contracting and government logistics business vertical.
Oversee domestic and international defense-related shipments across all transportation modes.
Develop and implement operational strategies, workflows, and SOPs to support scalable growth.
Collaborate with leadership to establish short- and long-term operational objectives aligned with company growth initiatives.
Support operational readiness for expedited project cargo, hazardous materials, and specialized government freight requirements.
Partner with sales and vertical leadership to support customer retention, business development, and account expansion.
Participate in customer calls, operational reviews, and strategic meetings with defense contractors and government-related customers.
Assist with pricing strategies, carrier selections, operational solutions, and responses to RFQs, RFPs, tenders, and capability requests.
Serve as a primary operational escalation point for high-priority, sensitive, or mission-critical shipments.
Maintain relationships with carriers, overseas agents, cartage providers, airlines, and strategic service partners.
Resolve service issues with vendors and providers, support rate and vendor negotiations, and monitor service quality, cost, reliability, and compliance.
Maintain awareness of government transportation requirements, defense industry expectations, and compliance considerations.
Ensure compliance with applicable transportation regulations, dangerous goods and hazmat requirements, and carrier operating standards.
Act as ICAT’s subject matter expert for defense-related operational processes and support internal stakeholders.
Drive operational efficiencies and identify opportunities to improve profitability, service quality, and execution consistency.
Monitor operational KPIs and report on service performance, customer satisfaction, profitability, and compliance.
Contribute operational insight to budgeting, forecasting, and cost management; develop and manage the department budget and identify cost-saving and margin-improvement opportunities.
Collaborate with Procurement, Operations, Sales, Security, Compliance, and Technology teams, and support customer engagements requiring customized defense logistics solutions.
Translate operational constraints into clear guidance and educate internal stakeholders on defense market dynamics, compliance requirements, and emerging opportunities.
Manage staff, including training on SOP changes and new processes, productivity monitoring, performance management, and disciplinary matters.
Lead continuous improvement and operational excellence efforts, quarterly business reviews, team meetings, and updates to SOPs based on lessons learned.
Use TMS, BI dashboards, and RPA/BOT tools to improve efficiency.
Ensure the department meets operational KPIs and financial goals, including ICAT invoicing and variance policies.
Hire, onboard, and train team members; develop opportunities for team growth; lead, mentor, and communicate the department’s vision and goals.
Conduct regular one-on-one and team meetings; set, monitor, and review team and individual goals and metrics; conduct performance appraisals and execute rewards or disciplinary actions as appropriate.
Perform other duties as assigned.