Transportation Manager

The Transportation Manager oversees global inbound, outbound, and reverse logistics operations through a central distribution center as well as direct deliveries to cruise ships and land-based resort retail locations. This role ensures cost-effective, compliant, and high-performance transportation solutions across truck, air, ocean, and rail. The position focuses on optimizing freight movement while driving efficiency in supply chain execution for cruise ship resupply, resort retail replenishment, and returns. This includes leading strategic carrier partnerships, overseeing freight procurement, and identifying cost-reduction opportunities across the transportation network.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Multimodal Transportation Management:

• Negotiate freight rates and contract terms with logistics providers, ensuring competitive pricing and service reliability
• Lead annual or seasonal Requests for Quote (RFQs), evaluate bids, and finalize provider selections
• Manage freight audit and payment processes to monitor billing accuracy and detect savings opportunities
• Monitor trends in global freight markets to proactively adjust strategies and capitalize on cost optimization opportunities
• Lead intermodal transport solutions, balancing truck, air, and ocean for efficiency and cost control
• Utilize available system data for tracking, performance analysis, and route optimization

Carrier & Provider Management:

• Establish, manage, and grow strong relationships with a global network of carriers, 3PLs, and freight forwarders
• Lead carrier performance programs using scorecards, KPIs, and service level agreements to ensure accountability and continuous improvement
• Develop sourcing strategies aligned to business objectives, identifying opportunities for consolidation, modal conversion, or carrier diversification
• Conduct regular carrier reviews and QBRs (Quarterly Business Reviews) to evaluate service quality and cost performance
• Resolve escalated transportation issues with carriers and freight partners to protect service levels and brand reputation

Global Logistics Operations:

• Manage freight movement across all modes, ensuring seamless inbound shipments to the distribution center or direct deliveries to cruise ships and resort retail locations
• Oversee outbound transportation from the distribution center and vendor locations, coordinating timely resupply shipments to cruise ships and land-based resort stores globally
• Develop reverse logistics strategies for merchandise returns, damaged goods, and inventory redistribution from both cruise ships and resort retail locations back to the distribution center
• Optimize routing and carrier selection for international and domestic shipments
• Ensure compliance with hazardous materials handling, customs-bonded (in bond) cargo, and all regulatory requirements
• Drive transportation performance through close coordination with service providers, ensuring high delivery accuracy and schedule adherence

Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure adherence to DOT, EPA, OSHA, CBP, IATA, IMO, and international trade laws
• Maintain regulatory compliance across hazardous materials transportation, bonded cargo (in bond), and port operations
• Implement risk mitigation strategies for cruise ship and resort supply chain operations and global freight movements
• Monitor geopolitical, environmental, and labor developments that could impact freight availability, cost, or compliance

Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with customs, warehousing, merchandising, and planning teams to optimize multimodal transportation flows
• Resolve transportation challenges, including carrier delays and logistics inefficiencies
• Provide leadership, guidance, and transportation compliance training for internal teams
• Support internal stakeholders with freight forecasting, budget planning, and strategic logistics initiatives

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• 5+ years of transportation management or supply chain experience, including DC and direct logistics for cruise ships and resort retail operations
• Demonstrated experience in provider negotiations, freight cost management, and global logistics strategy
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred
• Certifications such as Hazmat Certification, CBP In bond Cargo Handling, CLTD, Lean Six Sigma, IATA Dangerous Goods may be considered

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Expertise in distribution center logistics, direct deliveries to cruise ships and resort retail locations, multimodal transport, and international trade compliance
• Strong understanding of 49 CFR, IATA, IMDG Code, CBP regulations, and port clearance operations
• Ability to analyze freight trends, supplier performance, and transportation spend for strategic decision-making
• Leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to drive efficiency and compliance in transportation operations

Decision Making

• Manages end-to-end Transportation Operations teams, making strategic decisions based on cost, efficiency, and compliance factors

Travel Requirements:

• Less than 10% (Periodic travel to the distribution center, regulatory agencies, port operations, cruise ships, and resort retail supply chain sites).

Key Competencies:

• Communication & Collaboration
• Leadership & Team Development
• Strategic Thinking & Operational Excellence
• Customer Focus & Relationship Management
• Results-Driven & Adaptability
• Carrier Strategy & Freight Economics

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Some flexibility in hours is permitted, employee must be available during the “core” work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and must work 30 hours each week to maintain full-time status. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Physical Demands:
Office environment with frequent sitting, walking and standing, occasional climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching and balancing. Frequent use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling use of office machinery. This position requires the ability to
occasionally lift office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds. Oral and auditory enabling interpersonal communication as well as communication automated devise such as the telephone.

At Starboard Cruise Services and Onboard Media curating a vibrant world can only be accomplished by vibrant and diverse teams. We are committed to nurturing a workplace where you can feel safe to show up authentically and thrive while being uniquely you. Our North Star guides us to deliver equal employment opportunities for all individuals and to providing employees with an equitable work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We also aim to extend this commitment to the partners we work with and the guests we serve. We are constantly listening, learning, and evolving to deliver on these promises.

We believe our differences make us stronger and are curious to see you leverage your lived experiences to strengthen our team, our culture and your career. At Starboard Cruise Services and Onboard Media we take action so that no one is discriminated against because of their differences, such as age, disability (physical, mental or sensory), ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, religion, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, genetic information, family care status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. All employment decisions will be made based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications.

So come onboard with us and celebrate a culture that attracts top talent with shared values and forms the foundation for a great place to work.