Import Transportation Manager

Mohawk Global Logistics Corp•Itasca, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Import Transportation Manager is responsible for the overall performance, leadership, and operational health of the import transportation department. This role leads Supervisors and Team Leads while driving departmental execution, client satisfaction, operational consistency, and employee development. A critical function of this role is developing leaders through structured 1:1s, leadership coaching, quarterly reviews, and performance management, ensuring Supervisors are equipped to effectively lead their teams. The Import Transportation Manager is expected to identify operational risks, improve processes, and build stronger organizational capability by creating independent leaders and scalable systems. This role serves as the strategic connector between daily execution and broader business goals while improving profitability and operational efficiency through process optimization, leadership development, and performance accountability while reducing operational risk through strong compliance and service consistency. By developing frontline leaders, strengthening departmental decision making, and improving organizational capacity, the Transportation Manager creates a stronger operational foundation for growth, client retention, and long-term business success.

Requirements

Advanced expertise in import transportation operations, compliance, and workflow design
Strong CargoWise proficiency
Advanced understanding of operational KPIs, productivity reporting, and department analytics
Strong understanding of customer SOPs and service frameworks
Cross-functional operational knowledge across brokerage and export functions
Department planning and capacity management
Financial awareness and profitability management
KPI ownership and business performance analysis
Process design and operational scaling
Client retention strategy
Risk management and resource planning
Leadership development and coaching
Advanced 1:1 leadership development
Performance management and succession planning
Coaching leaders through difficult conversations
Organizational influence and change management
Building leadership bench strength
Conflict resolution and executive communication
Talent development across multiple levels
7+ years of international transportation or freight forwarding experience
3+ years of leadership experience in Supervisor, or Management roles
Strong operational leadership experience in import transportation
Proven success in developing leaders and improving team performance
Strong business acumen and operational decision-making capability
Advanced CargoWise proficiency

Nice To Haves

Experience managing multiple teams or leadership layers
Cross-functional expertise in Customs Brokerage and Export Operations
Experience in KPI ownership, profitability management, and process design

Responsibilities

Ensure department wide service consistency and client satisfaction across all accounts
Support resolution of major client escalations and service failures
Partner with Account Management and leadership to strengthen client retention and service delivery strategies
Ensure alignment between operational execution and client expectations
Drive a client-first operational culture across the department
Oversee department wide workflow, staffing, and operational performance
Maintain operational visibility across all teams to identify risk, inefficiencies, and opportunities
Ensure strong process discipline, SOP compliance, and service execution standards
Drive operational improvements, scalability initiatives, and workflow optimization
Monitor department capacity, productivity, and service levels
Create stronger departmental structure to support future growth
Serve as the primary escalation point for Supervisors and major operational issues
Solve high-level operational challenges while coaching leaders through complex problem-solving
Strengthen leadership funnel effectiveness by ensuring issues are resolved at the lowest effective level
Identify systemic operational issues and implement department-wide corrective actions
Support difficult personnel decisions, performance improvement plans, and terminations when necessary
Conduct regular 1:1s with Supervisors and Team Leads focused on leadership development, operational performance, and career growth
Lead quarterly reviews for direct reports and ensure leadership consistency across the department
Coach Supervisors on how to conduct effective 1:1s, behavioral coaching, and difficult conversations
Partner cross-functionally with Customs Brokerage, Exports, Account Management, and upper management.
Create strong communication flow across leadership levels and operational teams
Strengthen trust, transparency, and accountability throughout the department
Own departmental KPI performance and operational reporting
Monitor profitability drivers, billing accuracy, and cost control opportunities
Reduce financial exposure through operational discipline and compliance oversight
Ensure strong reporting accuracy and department-level business visibility
Partner with leadership on resource planning and financial forecasting
Perform other duties as assigned.