Director of Transportation

About the Job: Pacific International has been retained by a leading airline services organization as it continues its journey of transformation and operational excellence.

With operations spanning 40+ countries and recent double-digit growth, the company is investing significantly in logistics capabilities to enhance service delivery to airline partners across North America.

As part of this strategy, the company is seeking a dynamic Director of Logistics & Transportation to oversee end-to-end ground transportation, warehousing, and last-mile delivery operations for a critical hub in Seattle.

Reporting to the Vice President of Operations, this leader will be responsible for optimizing the flow of goods from commissaries to airports, ensuring service precision, managing vendor and fleet performance, and elevating frontline engagement and safety.

The ideal candidate brings both strategic foresight and hands-on execution experience, with a proven track record in unionized transportation environments and high-volume logistics settings.

Responsibilities:Transportation Strategy: Lead all aspects of airport-focused logistics, including routing, fleet utilization, and carrier/vendor performance to ensure reliable, on-time service to airline customers.Warehouse & Distribution Execution: Oversee inventory control, cross-docking, and dispatch operations for optimal flow between production sites and flight service points.People & Safety Leadership: Manage a large unionized workforce, cultivating a strong safety culture and driving operational accountability and engagement.Cost & Efficiency Management: Own the transportation and logistics P implement cost reduction strategies, fleet optimization, and route productivity initiatives.Labor Relations: Maintain effective relationships with union representatives and lead compliance with collective bargaining agreements.Operational KPIs: Use data and metrics to monitor on-time delivery, cost-per-stop, fill rates, and labor productivity; implement continuous improvement programs.Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate closely with Culinary, Operations, HR, and Customer teams to deliver an integrated, customer-centric logistics solution.Change Leadership: Champion Lean practices, technology implementations (e.g., TMS, telematics), and infrastructure upgrades that enhance agility and reliability.Talent Development: Build and coach a high-performing team; identify successors and invest in long-term leadership development.

Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Transportation, Business, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree a plus).7–10+ years in logistics, transportation, or warehousing leadership roles, preferably within foodservice, aviation, or time-sensitive industries.Experience leading in a unionized, multi-shift, high-complexity logistics environment.Demonstrated success managing large teams and improving transportation performance through KPIs and process excellence.Strong financial acumen with experience owning a logistics P&L.Skilled in building scalable systems and teams during growth and transformation.Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; thrives in fast-paced, customer-driven environments.

About Pacific International Executive Search: Pacific International, a globally recognized retained executive search firm, is dedicated to empowering Fortune 500, FTSE 100, and high-growth enterprises in building exceptional C-suite, senior-level, and strategic leadership teams while championing diversity and inclusion.

Our adaptability, agility, and forward-thinking ethos distinguish us in the ever-evolving business landscape.

Since 1997, we have been dedicated to building lasting client partnerships based on trust and reliability, and a proven track record of successful C-suite and mid- to senior-level leadership project delivery across many key industries globally.

Diversity Statement: At Pacific International, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of who we are and what we do.

Our commitment to these values is unwavering and we proudly champion diversity on behalf of our clients in every Executive Search mandate we undertake.

Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

In pursuit of these objectives, we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities.

For further information on this position and a confidential discussion about your career please contact: