Director of Transportation

Overview

Williams-Sonoma, a leading retail company founded in 1956, operates a vast and evolving supply chain linking factories to retail and online customers globally. Their distribution centers and supply chain operations encompass a wide footprint including furniture, small parcel, and personalized product distribution across multiple states and countries. The Memphis, TN location hosts the Transportation Department with over 30 professionals managing ocean, air, trucking, and rail transportation.

Position Summary

The Director of Transportation will lead strategic development, execution, and continuous enhancement of the comprehensive transportation network. This role encompasses all transportation modes such as Less-than-Truckload (LTL), Full Truckload (FTL), Intermodal, Parcel, Ocean, and Air Freight, aiming to optimize service quality, cost efficiency, network effectiveness, and customer satisfaction. Collaboration across multiple departments including Distribution, Planning, Finance, Procurement, and Technology is essential to align transportation strategies with business growth while ensuring operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and implement enterprise-wide transportation strategies for both domestic and international operations.
• Oversee all modes of transportation including LTL, FTL, Intermodal, Dedicated Fleet, Retail and Distribution Center transportation, and Final Mile where applicable.
• Lead transportation procurement, carrier sourcing, contract negotiations, and annual bids.
• Manage parcel operations strategy covering direct-to-consumer, eCommerce, retail replenishment, and B2B shipments with a focus on multiple carrier partnerships and last-mile delivery innovations.
• Drive international transportation strategies including ocean and air freight, freight forwarders, import planning, and port strategy in close partnership with customs and sourcing teams.
• Build and maintain executive-level relationships with carriers, negotiate contracts, develop carrier scorecards, and champion continuous improvement initiatives.
• Direct financial management of a multi-million dollar transportation budget including forecasting, budgeting, and productivity initiatives.
• Establish transportation analytics, dashboards, and KPI reporting to guide operational and strategic decision-making.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with departments like Distribution Operations, Supply Planning, Customer Care, Finance, and IT to foster alignment and support overall company goals.
• Lead and develop the transportation team by establishing leadership, mentoring, setting clear performance expectations, succession planning, and promoting a culture of innovation and inclusion.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience in transportation.
• At least 5 years of experience managing cross-functional teams and leading managers.
• Proven expertise in managing domestic and international transportation networks.
• Technical proficiency in LTL, FTL, Intermodal, Parcel Operations, Ocean Freight, Air Freight, transportation procurement, management systems (TMS), analytics, network optimization, routing guides, freight audit, and payments.
• Preferred familiarity with platforms such as Infor, Power BI, SQL, SAP, Oracle, Manhattan, Blue Yonder, or similar transportation and analytics technologies.

Leadership Attributes

• Strategic thinker capable of turning vision into actionable plans.
• Strong communication and executive presence.
• Excellent financial and analytical skills.
• Customer-centric approach to decision-making.
• Collaborative leader able to build trust and influence across functional boundaries.
• Composed and decisive during change and operational challenges.
• Committed to continuous improvement, innovation, coaching, and leadership development.

Measures of Success

• Enhanced on-time delivery rates.
• Decreased transportation costs per shipment and per package.
• Improved performance across parcel, LTL, FTL, ocean, and air carriers.
• Increased network resiliency during peak periods.
• Strengthened carrier scorecards and supplier relationships.
• Improved transportation visibility and executive reporting.
• Tangible productivity gains and freight cost savings.
• High levels of employee engagement and effective leadership succession planning.

Compensation & Benefits

• Significant employee discounts on all brand products under Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
• 401(k) retirement plans and other investment options.
• Comprehensive paid off time including vacations, holidays, and community service opportunities.
• Robust health, dental, and vision insurance, including domestic partner coverage.
• Additional benefits such as legal and identity protection plans, and pet insurance.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Williams-Sonoma values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.