Linehaul Director

Our client is looking for an experienced Linehaul Director – Strategic Improvement & Enablement to drive operational transformation, transportation optimization, and strategic improvement initiatives across a nationwide logistics network.

This position will act as a key strategic partner to senior operations leadership, focusing on identifying recurring operational challenges, diagnosing root causes, and converting performance gaps into scalable and sustainable solutions.

While the role is not primarily responsible for day-to-day frontline shift management, it will oversee transportation resource planning, workforce coordination where required, and the resolution of critical operational disruptions.

The position will play an important role in strengthening operational capabilities, improving network performance, and enabling senior management to focus on long-term business growth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operational Performance Analysis & Problem Solving

Analyze operational performance data, including shipment volume, transit time, cost, productivity, service levels, exception rates, and other relevant KPIs to identify trends, performance gaps, and improvement opportunities.

Conduct structured root-cause analysis on recurring operational issues across linehaul transportation, hubs, fleet operations, and last-mile activities.

Perform regular field visits to operational sites and transportation routes to validate findings and ensure that data-driven insights accurately reflect actual operating conditions.

Identify systemic issues rather than short-term symptoms and develop practical solutions that prevent recurring operational problems.

Strategic Improvement & Project Execution

Lead operational improvement and transformation initiatives assigned by senior management from initial diagnosis through implementation.

Develop comprehensive project plans covering scope, milestones, resources, KPIs, risks, dependencies, and implementation timelines.

Coordinate closely with Operations, Technology, Human Resources, Commercial, Finance, and other relevant functions to ensure successful project execution.

Monitor project progress, proactively address implementation risks, and ensure initiatives are completed within agreed timelines and objectives.

Evaluate post-implementation performance and continuously refine solutions based on operational data and user feedback.

Process Standardization & Continuous Improvement

Convert successful improvement initiatives into standardized operating processes for broader implementation across the network.

Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures, work instructions, control checklists, operational guidelines, and supporting documentation.

Prepare practical training materials and implementation packages to support smooth adoption by frontline and operational teams.

Establish monitoring mechanisms, operational audits, and routine performance checks to ensure improvements are sustained over time.

Drive a culture of structured problem solving, operational discipline, and continuous improvement across the organization.

Linehaul & Transportation Management

Oversee nationwide transportation and linehaul activities across a large multi-site logistics network.

Coordinate transportation resources between major operational hubs and ensure sufficient capacity based on shipment volumes, route requirements, and service commitments.

Optimize vehicle allocation, route planning, capacity utilization, load factors, and transportation scheduling.

Maintain visibility over fleet information, including vehicle availability, operating condition, maintenance history, inspection schedules, insurance, and regulatory documentation.

Monitor key transportation performance indicators such as fleet utilization, load factor, transportation cost efficiency, vehicle turnaround time, and on-time performance.

Identify and implement initiatives to improve fleet productivity, transportation efficiency, service quality, and overall cost effectiveness.

Operational Incident & Exception Management

Coordinate the response to major transportation disruptions, including vehicle breakdowns, accidents, route delays, capacity shortages, and other operational incidents.

Work closely with relevant internal teams to minimize service disruption and restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

Analyze recurring incidents and implement preventive measures to reduce future operational risk.

Network & Supply Chain Optimization

Improve linehaul and network performance through data-driven route design, capacity planning, shipment consolidation, and transportation optimization.

Identify opportunities to reduce empty mileage, unnecessary vehicle movements, facility waiting time, and other sources of operational inefficiency.

Strengthen coordination between warehouse, hub, transportation, and delivery operations to improve end-to-end service performance.

Support the development of more integrated transportation planning and execution processes across the network.

Cost & Commercial Performance Improvement

Work with Finance, Commercial, and Operations teams to improve visibility over transportation and operational costs.

Analyze cost-to-serve by customer, route, service type, or operational segment where required.

Identify process gaps that may result in unnecessary transportation costs, waiting charges, billing discrepancies, or operational losses.

Develop business cases and recommendations to improve cost efficiency while maintaining required service levels.

Fleet & Asset Performance

Support the effective management and utilization of transportation assets across the network.

Improve visibility over asset utilization, maintenance requirements, lifecycle management, and operating performance.

Leverage tracking systems, telematics, operational data, and other digital tools to strengthen fleet control and decision-making.

Identify opportunities to improve asset productivity and reduce avoidable downtime.

Technology, Data & Operational Enablement

Leverage data analytics and business intelligence tools to improve operational visibility and decision-making.

Develop dashboards and management reports covering operational performance, transportation productivity, cost, service levels, and key improvement initiatives.

Work with Technology teams to improve the use of transportation, warehouse, order management, routing, and other operational systems.

Support automation and digitalization initiatives that increase operational efficiency and reduce manual intervention.

Cross-functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Hub Operations, Fleet Management, Network Planning, Warehouse Operations, Technology, Customer Service, Finance, Commercial, and other functions.

Coordinate stakeholders across different locations to ensure effective implementation of operational initiatives.

Influence frontline and management teams to adopt new processes and operating standards through data, practical recommendations, and collaborative problem solving.

Executive Reporting & Decision Support

Prepare concise management reports, project reviews, operational performance summaries, and business cases for senior leadership.

Translate complex operational information into clear insights, recommendations, and actionable decisions.

Support senior operations leadership in identifying emerging operational risks, strategic opportunities, and priority improvement areas.

Maintain visibility over major strategic initiatives and ensure effective tracking of progress, risks, and outcomes.

Requirements

Approximately 5–8 years of experience in logistics, transportation, express delivery, e-commerce fulfillment, third-party logistics, supply chain, or related operational environments.

Proven experience leading operational improvement, process transformation, transportation optimization, or network improvement projects.

Strong exposure to linehaul, fleet management, transportation planning, hub operations, or large-scale logistics networks.

Experience working across multiple locations and coordinating complex operational stakeholders is highly preferred.

Demonstrated ability to improve measurable performance indicators relating to cost, service quality, productivity, transportation utilization, or SLA performance.

Operational Excellence & Problem Solving

Strong knowledge of structured improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen, or equivalent problem-solving frameworks.

Ability to independently investigate complex operational issues, identify root causes, and develop structured implementation plans.

Strong analytical mindset with the ability to connect operational data with actual field conditions.

Comfortable working in fast-moving and ambiguous environments where priorities may evolve quickly.

Data & Technology Capabilities

Advanced proficiency in Excel and strong experience working with large operational datasets.

Experience with business intelligence and visualization platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, or equivalent tools.

Good understanding of logistics and operational systems such as Transportation Management Systems, Warehouse Management Systems, Order Management Systems, routing platforms, asset management systems, and customer service platforms.

Ability to use data and dashboards to support operational decisions and communicate performance clearly to management.

Project Management

Strong project management capability, including planning milestones, managing dependencies, identifying risks, coordinating stakeholders, and tracking implementation progress.

Experience using project management tools and structured project governance methodologies would be an advantage.

Able to manage multiple improvement initiatives simultaneously while maintaining clear priorities and accountability.

Leadership & Working Style

Highly independent and able to operate effectively with limited supervision.

Strong execution mindset with the ability to move from problem identification to practical implementation.

Able to influence stakeholders without relying solely on formal authority.

Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex operational matters clearly and concisely to senior management.

Hands-on and comfortable spending time in operational environments, including hubs, transportation routes, and frontline locations.

SUCCESS MEASURES

Performance in this role will be evaluated based on measurable improvements in operational efficiency and service reliability.

Key outcomes may include reductions in recurring operational bottlenecks, service exceptions, and customer complaints.

Improvement in transportation and network KPIs, including cost efficiency, vehicle and capacity utilization, load factors, turnaround time, and on-time performance.

Successful and timely delivery of assigned strategic improvement projects.

Effective standardization and handover of improvement initiatives to operational teams.

Sustained performance improvements demonstrated through post-implementation reviews, operational audits, and ongoing control mechanisms.

The role will ultimately contribute to building a more scalable, data-driven, and continuously improving operations organization.