Sr. Director Strategic Carrier Development

Sr. Director Strategic Carrier Development

ICAT LOGISTICS INC - 3.9

Elkridge, MD Job Details Full-time $164,985 - $194,100 a year 14 hours ago Qualifications Freight forwarding logistics Bachelor's degree Procurement contract negotiation Productivity software

Full Job Description Description:

The Senior Director, Strategic Carrier Development is responsible for leading the global carrier strategy across air, ocean, and surface transportation. This role owns procurement, capacity planning, and strategic carrier partnerships to ensure competitive positioning, compliance, service excellence, and margin optimization. The position partners cross-functionally with Commercial, Operations, Finance, and Product teams to drive network performance, improve tender win ratios, and protect yield across all international and domestic transportation modes. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Global Carrier Strategy & Network Design Define and execute a global carrier strategy aligned to growth, margin, and service objectives Develop core gateway strategy (e.g., AMS,LON, FRA key U.S. hubs) to optimize routing, transit times, and cost Establish mode-specific strategies (air, ocean, LCL, ground) with clear carrier segmentation Build network resilience through diversified carrier portfolios and contingency planning 2. Strategic Procurement & Carrier Management Lead global procurement across airlines, ocean carriers, NVOs, and trucking providers Negotiate long-term agreements, space allocations, and rate structures Drive vendor consolidation to leverage scale, improve service, and enhance pricing power Implement carrier scorecards (cost, service, compliance, responsiveness) Own executive-level relationships with strategic carriers Establish budget growth targets for incentive based strategic development 3. Capacity Planning & Yield Optimization Secure capacity to support AOG, NFO, charter, and time-critical shipments Align procurement with commercial demand forecasting and pipeline visibility Drive yield protection strategies (rate discipline, accessorial capture, margin controls) Monitor market dynamics (capacity shifts, fuel, geopolitical risk) and adjust strategy accordingly 4. RFQ / Tender Support & Commercial Alignment Partner with Sales and Customer Excellence/Solutions teams on global RFQs and tenders Ensure competitive, complete, and executable rate submissions Improve win ratios through differentiated carrier solutions and pricing strategies Support solution design for strategic/global accounts 5. Operational & Financial Performance Drive improvements in gross margin, cost-to-serve, and procurement efficiency Establish KPIs and dashboards for carrier and network performance Lead monthly performance reviews with Finance and Operations 6. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure all carrier partners meet regulatory and compliance standards (IATA, TSA/IAC, FMC) Conduct carrier due diligence and audits (financial stability, certifications, service capabilities) Mitigate risk through contractual protections and diversified sourcing strategies 7. Leadership & Team Development Build and lead a high-performing global procurement and carrier management team Foster a culture of accountability, data-driven decision making, and continuous improvement Develop succession plans and elevate team capability Perform other duties, as assigned

Requirements:

Qualifications & Skill Requirements Bachelor's degree in Business, or related field required, advanced degree preferred 10+ years in international logistics, freight forwarding, or transportation procurement Deep expertise in air and ocean freight and global carrier networks Proven experience negotiating multi-million dollar carrier agreements Strong background in RFQs, global account management, and network strategy Commercial aptitude-ability to align and create products and services portfolio that customers will pay for (differentiators) Advanced skills with Microsoft Office products Key Competencies Executive-level negotiation and relationship management Strong financial acumen (margin, yield, cost modeling, risk analysis) Deep understanding of global trade lanes and carrier dynamics Data-driven mindset with ability to translate analytics into strategy Leadership presence with ability to influence C-suite and external partners Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting capability Performance optimization mindset Business alignment and stakeholder communication Continuous improvement and innovation focus Proven ability to lead, mentor, and share knowledge with team members Ability to plan and effectively set priorities for implementation and deadlines Excels at meeting deadlines and demonstrates superior time management skills Natural ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work setting with a strong attention to detail Superior communication skills and an ability to motivate people with an emphasis on listening skills Extremely well organized and detail-oriented with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously Fosters accountability and commitment from the team to achieve department goals Ability to relate to and successfully interact across a variety of settings and work well with a broad and diverse workforce throughout the organization Highly motivated team player with an outgoing and positive work attitude Demonstrates ability to work in a client-centric setting Ability to be flexible as priorities shift Consistent in follow-up and follow-through Credible with a high level of personal integrity Adaptive to ICAT's core values

Supervisory Responsibilities :

Yes Direct supervision and accountability of staff Support team in setting and achieving goals and performance objectives Coach and mentor team members Identify department training requirements and conduct training, as needed Hold regular individual 1x1 and team meetings Clearly communicate department and individual initiatives/goals Develop, monitor, and review regularly metrics and goals with team members Conduct performance appraisals; provide rewards and execute disciplinary actions/workplace solutions for department staff Accountable for recruiting and hiring process for new hire requirements Maintain an environment that allows the team to be part of ICAT's overarching goals and mission

Salary Range:

$164,985 - $194,100 Join Our Team If you're ready to take the next step in your career with a company that values your dedication and contributions, we encourage you to apply. Learn more about our available opportunities by visiting https://icatlogistics.com or by contacting our Senior Talent Business Partner, Cindy Meckling, at . We are not accepting inquiries from recruitment agencies or third-party vendors for this position. Unsolicited outreach will not be considered.