Senior Transportation Manager

Location: Decatur / Huntsville, Alabama

Employment Type: Full-Time

Base Salary: $130,000–$185,000 per year

Bonus: 10% target bonus

Position Overview: We are seeking an experienced Senior Transportation Manager to oversee transportation and logistics operations supporting two manufacturing facilities in the Decatur/Huntsville, Alabama area. This role will work closely with manufacturing leadership and the supply chain team to ensure safe, timely, and cost-effective transportation of products, materials, and large industrial equipment. The ideal candidate will bring strong ground transportation experience, proven vendor development capabilities, and a background in manufacturing or industrial logistics. Experience coordinating rigging and transporting oversized equipment on flatbed trailers will be a significant advantage.

Key Responsibilities: Manage ground transportation operations supporting both manufacturing facilities. Coordinate the movement of products, materials, and heavy equipment, including flatbed and specialized freight. Develop and maintain strong relationships with transportation vendors, carriers, suppliers, and third-party logistics providers. Negotiate transportation rates, manage budgets, and identify cost-saving opportunities. Collaborate with manufacturing and supply chain teams to align transportation with production schedules and project requirements. Monitor transportation costs, delivery performance, vendor service levels, and operational KPIs. Ensure compliance with transportation regulations, shipping requirements, and safety standards. Lead transportation teams, resolve operational challenges, and drive continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation, Operations Management, or a related field; equivalent education and experience may be considered. Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, or supply chain operations, including at least 5 years in a direct supply chain function, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Strong experience managing ground transportation in a manufacturing or industrial environment. Proven ability to develop transportation vendors and maintain strong carrier and supplier relationships. Knowledge of freight management, carrier networks, transportation contracts, and third-party logistics providers. Experience with transportation budgets, cost optimization, and performance metrics. Strong negotiation, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. Demonstrated leadership experience and the ability to collaborate across manufacturing and supply chain teams.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience with rigging and transporting large industrial equipment using flatbed trailers. Experience managing oversized, heavy-haul, or specialized freight shipments. Established relationships with transportation carriers, rigging providers, and industrial logistics vendors. Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities or project-based operations. Knowledge of route optimization, freight cost reduction, and transportation performance analytics.

Ideal Candidate Profile: The ideal candidate is a strategic and hands-on transportation leader with a strong background in manufacturing logistics, ground transportation, and vendor development. They should be skilled at building long-term supplier relationships, negotiating transportation solutions, and coordinating complex equipment movements while balancing safety, cost, and delivery requirements. Candidates with experience in heavy equipment manufacturing, industrial transportation, heavy haul, rigging, or specialized project logistics are strongly encouraged to apply.