Transportation Specialist

Responsible for leading the strategic and operational transportation activities for Master Craft boats and related materials, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective movement of products from manufacturing locations to domestic and international dealers. This role is responsible for developing transportation and logistics strategies that optimize service, cost, quality, and delivery performance across the supply chain.

The position will lead freight optimization initiatives, including direct material inbound transportation, finished goods outbound distribution, third-party logistics (3PL) sourcing and management, and transportation network design. This role will develop business cases and recommendations for executive leadership regarding logistics investments, multi-plant freight synergies, international shipping strategies, and continuous improvement opportunities.

• Develop and execute transportation and logistics strategies that support company growth objectives while optimizing cost, quality, and service performance.
• Analyze and optimize domestic and international boat transportation services, negotiate carrier agreements, improve freight rates, and identify qualified transportation providers capable of meeting performance expectations.
• Coordinate with Master Craft manufacturing, sales, customer service, procurement, and dealer networks to ensure timely and cost-effective shipment of finished goods.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, implementation, and ongoing management of third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
• Develop comprehensive business cases for logistics resourcing decisions, including 3PL outsourcing opportunities, transportation network changes, and supply chain optimization initiatives.
• Analyze inbound freight opportunities across multiple manufacturing sites and develop strategies that leverage network synergies, consolidate shipments, and reduce total landed cost.
• Lead initiatives to optimize direct material freight spend through carrier negotiations, routing improvements, transportation mode selection, and network redesign.
• Manage international outbound logistics activities, including ocean freight transportation, vessel scheduling, freight forwarding relationships, customs compliance, and export documentation.
• Coordinate international shipments and ensure compliance with applicable duties, tariffs, customs regulations, trade requirements, and international shipping standards.
• Monitor global transportation market trends, carrier capacity, freight costs, and international trade developments to proactively identify risks and opportunities.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting metrics to measure transportation performance, cost savings, service levels, and carrier effectiveness.
• Present transportation strategies, cost analysis, business cases, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve transportation policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Monitor transportation service provider performance and lead corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives where needed.
• Handle escalated logistics and customer issues while ensuring timely resolution and high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with transportation regulations, trade requirements, company policies, and safety standards.
• Provide leadership and guidance for cross-functional logistics initiatives and special projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation Management, Business Administration, or related field required;
  Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain, or distribution management.
• Demonstrated experience managing domestic and international transportation operations.
• Experience developing transportation strategies, business cases, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Proven experience negotiating carrier contracts and managing third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
• Experience with ocean freight, international shipping, customs processes, duties, tariffs, and vessel scheduling…