Regional Director, Operations - East Region

Role Overview

The Regional Director of Operations oversees operational excellence within a multifaceted transportation network, ensuring consistency, scalability, and disciplined performance throughout the East Region. This leader's primary objective is to align operational execution with customer expectations, service delivery commitments, and profitability goals while backing the company's broader growth strategy.

As the network expands and optimizes, the Regional Director serves as a vital link between strategic planning and hands-on execution. They pinpoint operational inefficiencies, enforce high performance standards, boost reliability, and formulate data-driven strategies to enhance customer satisfaction and financial results.

Success requires instituting network-wide standardized practices, anticipating and rectifying performance deficiencies before escalation, optimizing processes to raise operational efficiency, and fostering sustainable growth that meets profit targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Champion network-wide operational excellence by continuously refining processes, procedures, and service standards.
• Standardize operations and enforce accountability through structured performance management systems.
• Detect operational risks early and implement improvements to heighten efficiency, reliability, and customer experience.
• Ensure operational activities support profitability, scalability, and long-term strategic aims.
• Lead and mentor operations management and engineering teams across multiple locations.
• Analyze operational data regularly to spot trends, risks, and opportunities enhancing business performance.
• Create and manage a comprehensive Balanced Scorecard providing insight into key operational and financial metrics.
• Oversee budget adherence and operational efficiency to maintain alignment with company objectives.
• Present insights and strategic recommendations confidently to top leadership and stakeholders.
• Monitor service reliability metrics and align performance with customer and industry standards.
• Optimize transportation lanes and network capacity to improve transit commitments and operational flow.
• Institute preventive strategies against major service interruptions and failures.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to bolster customer outcomes and respond to market dynamics.
• Conduct financial and operational analyses supporting network scaling decisions.
• Evaluate freight movements and resource allocation to minimize bottlenecks and enhance velocity.
• Guide strategic plans with data-backed advice on service footprint, investments, and market growth.
• Employ Six Sigma and related process improvement techniques driving measurable efficiency gains.
• Develop and execute performance improvement initiatives across operational functions.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and operational excellence through leadership and coaching.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
• At least 10 years of ascending experience in operations and engineering within transportation, logistics, distribution, or supply chain sectors.
• Proven leadership of operations and engineering teams or similar cross-functional units.
• Demonstrable success in enhancing operational performance, process optimization, and business transformation.

Functional Expertise

• Extensive knowledge of transportation operations, network management, and operational planning.
• Experience establishing operational procedures and performance standards across multiple sites.
• Strong financial skills to interpret budgets, forecasts, and profitability drivers.
• Proficiency in network expansion, service footprint optimization, and capacity planning.

Technical Skills

• Advanced abilities using Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Expertise creating executive-level reports, dashboards, and balanced scorecards.
• Excellent analytical and quantitative problem-solving skills including statistical analyses and modeling.
• Experience with enterprise operations systems; familiarity with AS/400 is preferred.

Leadership Attributes

• Track record leading and mentoring high-performance operational teams.
• Skill influencing executive and cross-departmental stakeholders effectively.
• Experienced in spearheading complex multi-department initiatives.
• Strong communication and presentation capabilities for diverse audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Six Sigma certification or practical application of Six Sigma methods.
• Background in less-than-truckload (LTL), freight, transportation, or logistics operations.
• Experience with continuous improvement, process innovation, and network optimization.

Industry Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of transportation service standards, freight flow management, and best operational practices.
• Awareness of industry trends, customer needs, and competitive models.

Operating Principles

• System thinking approach over task-oriented mindset.
• Data-driven decision-making and prioritization.
• Balanced focus on customer experience, operational execution, and profitability.
• Root cause analysis rather than symptom treatment.
• Maintaining agility coupled with discipline and operational control.
• Constructive challenge to assumptions for improved solutions.
• Accountability and ownership of results.
• Clear, confident communication at all organizational levels.
• Thrives in complex environments blending strategic thought with execution.
• Builds credibility through consistency and follow-through.

Compensation and Work Details

• Salary range of $150,000 to $180,000 annually.
• Hybrid work structure within the East Region based in Humble, TX.
• Requires approximately 50% regional travel by land and air.
• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability, 401(k), PTO, and wellness programs.

Physical Demands and Environment

• Primarily light physical activity with administrative tasks involving sitting, standing, walking, and fine motor skills.
• Vision requirements include clear sight at 20 feet, depth perception, and peripheral vision.
• Office environment is generally well-lit and climate controlled; dock areas may expose employee to noise, temperature variations, humidity, fumes, and outdoor weather conditions.

Additional Information

• The role's duties and requirements may evolve per business needs.
• Roadrunner values equal opportunity employment and prohibits discrimination/harassment.
• No applications from external recruitment agencies are accepted.