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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Strategic Vehicle Transport Director

💰 $120,000 - $185,000+

LogisticsSupply ChainAutomotiveTransportationManagement

🎯 Role Definition

In this pivotal role, you will hold complete ownership of the strategy, execution, and optimization of our end-to-end vehicle transportation operations. You will lead a dedicated team and manage a complex network of carriers and partners to move thousands of vehicles annually across the country. Your mission is to build a best-in-class logistics function that serves as a competitive advantage, balancing cost, speed, and quality while ensuring rigorous safety and regulatory compliance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Logistics Manager (Automotive)
  • National Transportation Manager
  • Director of Operations (Logistics/Automotive)

Advancement To:

  • Vice President of Logistics
  • Vice President of Supply Chain
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Supply Chain Strategy
  • Director of Global Fleet Operations

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and implement a long-term strategic vision for the vehicle transportation department to align with overall company growth and profitability objectives.
  • Direct and oversee all domestic vehicle logistics, including first-mile pickup, long-haul transport, and final-mile delivery to customers, dealerships, and operational hubs.
  • Lead complex contract negotiations with a diverse portfolio of third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and asset-based carriers, securing favorable rates, capacity, and service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Establish, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time pickup/delivery, cost-per-move, transit time, damage-in-transit rates, and carrier scorecard performance.
  • Manage and optimize a multi-million dollar transportation budget, conducting regular variance analysis and identifying opportunities for significant cost savings and efficiency improvements.
  • Champion the selection, implementation, and continuous optimization of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and other logistics technologies to enhance visibility, automation, and data-driven decision-making.
  • Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of logistics planners, coordinators, and analysts, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-centricity.
  • Ensure absolute compliance with all Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and state/local transportation regulations.
  • Design and manage a robust carrier relationship management program to cultivate strategic partnerships, drive performance, and ensure network-wide capacity and flexibility.
  • Develop and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all transportation processes, including vehicle dispatch, tracking, claims management, and carrier payment.
  • Spearhead continuous improvement initiatives across the logistics network, utilizing methodologies like Lean or Six Sigma to streamline workflows and eliminate waste.
  • Resolve high-level service escalations and operational disruptions, providing swift and effective solutions to minimize impact on customers and internal stakeholders.
  • Conduct network analysis and modeling to optimize routing, load consolidation, and mode selection (e.g., truck vs. rail) for maximum efficiency.
  • Oversee the vehicle damage claims process, working with carriers and insurance providers to ensure timely resolution and implement preventative measures.
  • Collaborate closely with executive leadership, sales, and operations teams to forecast transportation needs and align logistics capacity with business demand.
  • Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk management and business continuity plan for the transportation network to mitigate disruptions from weather, market shifts, or other events.
  • Stay abreast of industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes within the automotive transport sector to maintain a competitive edge.
  • Lead quarterly and annual business reviews with key carrier partners to assess performance, address challenges, and plan for future collaboration.
  • Drive sustainability initiatives within the transportation network, exploring opportunities for reduced emissions and improved environmental impact.
  • Manage the logistics for special projects, such as new market entries, large-scale vehicle relocations, or seasonal volume surges.
  • Create and present detailed performance reports and strategic recommendations to the executive leadership team.

Secondary Functions

  • Partner with the finance department to streamline carrier invoice auditing, payment processes, and financial reconciliation.
  • Collaborate with the IT department to integrate logistics platforms (TMS) with other enterprise systems like ERP and CRM for seamless data flow.
  • Support the Sales and Account Management teams by providing accurate transportation cost estimates and transit time projections for new business proposals.
  • Participate in cross-functional task forces aimed at improving the overall customer experience, from vehicle acquisition to final delivery.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert-level knowledge of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and vehicle logistics software.
  • Deep understanding of DOT, FMCSA, and other relevant federal and state transportation laws.
  • Proven mastery of logistics contract negotiation, development, and management.
  • Strong financial acumen with extensive experience in budget management, cost modeling, and P&L responsibility.
  • Advanced proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau, Power BI) to interpret KPIs and drive insights.
  • Expertise in logistics network design, optimization, and carrier sourcing strategies.

Soft Skills

  • Visionary leadership and a proven ability to build, mentor, and motivate high-performance teams.
  • Exceptional negotiation, influencing, and vendor relationship management skills.
  • Strategic and critical thinking with superior problem-solving capabilities in a complex, fast-paced environment.
  • Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to executive audiences.
  • A relentless drive for continuous improvement and operational excellence.
  • High degree of emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability to manage competing priorities and crises.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master of Science (MS) in Supply Chain Management or Logistics.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 10-15 years of progressive experience in transportation and logistics, with at least 5-7 years in a senior leadership role overseeing vehicle or automotive transport.

Preferred: Direct experience managing a national vehicle transport network for an automotive OEM, large-scale rental car company, national dealership group, or major auto auction.

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