National Transportation Director

Role Purpose

This position provides enterprise-level leadership for the transportation function within a medical waste business. The role is focused on supporting growth by improving strategy, operations, safety, compliance, fleet utilization, and routing across the national network. It also involves guiding multiple Business Unit Transport Managers and ensuring the transport operation remains both service-capable and cost-effective.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Create and implement a national transport plan that supports company goals.
• Design fleet and infrastructure strategies that can scale with business expansion.
• Champion transport excellence and ongoing operational improvement.
• Oversee capital spending for vehicles, fleet assets, and transport infrastructure.
• Drive standard operating practices across all business units.
• Build and strengthen fleet maintenance programs.
• Promote a strong safety-first culture across transport operations.
• Work with internal teams to help deliver growth priorities.

Operational management

• Improve route planning and maximize fleet usage.
• Direct transport operations at a national level.
• Set, track, and act on transport KPIs to lift performance and efficiency.
• Maintain compliance with transport laws and regulatory requirements.
• Create and strengthen safety and compliance frameworks for transport.

Team leadership

• Build a workplace culture centered on safety and operational excellence.
• Coach transport teams across the business units to perform at a high level.
• Support and develop safe driving habits and driver performance.
• Mentor direct reports and Business Unit Transport Managers.

Business improvement and growth

• Identify fleet and routing improvements that can improve DIFOT performance.
• Partner with Sales to ensure transport capacity matches the new business pipeline.
• Work with the National Director of Plant and Operational Excellence to improve centroid positioning, expand market access, and reduce average miles per route.
• Build internal partnerships with teams such as P&C, Sales, and national support functions to share learning and accelerate improvement.
• Develop national business plans that support rollout initiatives and growth opportunities.
• Integrate new business rollouts into existing transport routes efficiently.

Role Mandate

• Develop and roll out fleet strategies so transport capacity stays aligned with forecast opportunity pipelines.
• Support expansion plans and business growth initiatives.
• Contribute to strategic planning tied to business development priorities.
• Match fleet capacity and routing with service requirements.
• Continuously improve fleet and routing to lower costs and enhance service.
• Lead improvements in safety performance.
• Develop better transport efficiency measures.
• Implement standardized transport processes aligned with national goals.
• Put fleet management and maintenance strategies into practice.
• Introduce, manage, and improve transport optimization and management systems.
• Create transport policies, procedures, and best-practice guidelines.

Leadership and Performance Management

• Provide direction to Transport Supervisors, Dispatchers, and Drivers.
• Coordinate onboarding, training, and development activities for staff.
• Lead performance reviews and team development plans.
• Encourage a culture of safety and transport excellence.
• Build productive relationships with key stakeholders.
• Work closely with national functional teams including Plant Operations, Sales, and P&C.
• Track the four core operational pillars: Safety, Compliance, Service, and Efficiency.
• Define and manage transport KPIs.
• Review fleet and routing data to identify improvements.
• Analyze DIFOT and customer service performance.
• Implement cost-saving and efficiency initiatives.
• Allocate fleet resources effectively.
• Manage vendor partnerships and contracts related to fleet operations.
• Report transport performance to leadership.

Key Performance Indicators

• On-time, in-full delivery results
• Fleet capacity for new business
• Route efficiency
• Fleet utilization
• Safety and compliance results
• Team engagement and retention

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will bring deep transport leadership experience, a strong grasp of safety and compliance, and the ability to scale operations in support of growth. Experience with transport systems, capital planning, and business improvement is important, along with the ability to influence multiple stakeholders and develop high-performing teams.

Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Mathematics, Operations Management, or a similar field is preferred.
• At least 10 years of senior-level transport management experience is required.
• Experience implementing transport systems is needed.
• Background in supporting business growth is expected.
• Experience with transport capital budgeting is required.
• Strong knowledge of transport safety regulations is necessary.
• Demonstrated success in leadership and team development is required.

Core Competencies

• Strategic planning and delivery
• Advanced business analysis
• Systems, process, and technology rollouts
• Change leadership
• Stakeholder management
• Team leadership and influence
• Coaching and talent development
• Capital planning and budgeting
• Risk and compliance oversight

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role based around a support office and home-working setup, with remote travel expected as needed.

Hiring Technology Notice

Artificial intelligence tools may be used to help with parts of the recruitment process, including resume review and response analysis. These tools support the hiring team but do not replace human decision-making. Final selection decisions are made by people. If you want more information about how your data is handled, you can contact the employer directly.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary for this role is between $170,000 and $190,000, with potential bonus eligibility. Final pay will depend on experience, skills, certifications, and work location. Location-based differences may apply due to local labor market conditions. Eligible employees receive a benefits package that can include medical, dental, and vision coverage, retirement savings with company match, paid vacation and sick leave, wellness support, life insurance, and professional development opportunities.