Vice President, Transportation Operations

Vice President of Transportation Operations- Job DescriptionPosition SummaryAshley Furniture Industries is searching for a dynamic and strategic executive to serve as Vice President of Transportation Operations. This key leader will oversee our private fleet, recognized as one of the top in the industry, and be responsible for driving exceptional performance in efficiency, safety, and cost management across multiple locations. The role is accountable for integrating operations, maintenance, and safety to ensure best-in-class reliability and delivery excellence.Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Cost ManagementShape and implement advanced fleet strategies to achieve operational excellence while delivering consistent cost reductions.Lead modernization projects, emphasizing holistic cost management and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization.Cultivate strategic vendor relationships to secure the best terms and pricing.Launch ongoing improvement efforts targeting at least 5-7% annual reductions in costs.Routinely perform cost-benefit reviews for investments and operational changes.Operational Oversight & EfficiencyManage all aspects of fleet operations with a focus on reducing cost per mile and maximizing asset utilization.Introduce and champion lean processes for eliminating inefficiencies.Use advanced analytics for route optimization and resource deployment.Direct preventive maintenance and predictive programs to extend asset life and avoid unnecessary repairs.Align fleet size and capabilities closely with business needs to ensure agility and efficiency.Team Leadership & Development* Inspire, build, and develop a high-performance operations team grounded in safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.* Promote a culture of collaboration, partnering closely with distribution, HR, supply chain, safety, and finance.Technology & InnovationOversee the adoption of cutting-edge fleet management technologies and data-driven tools.Lead efforts in digital transformation within fleet operations.Identify and integrate emerging innovations that enhance fleet capabilities.Safety & Regulatory ComplianceUphold leading safety standards and institute robust accident prevention measures.Guarantee full regulatory and DOT compliance across all transport operations.Spearhead risk management and safety training initiatives.Cross-Functional Integration & Maintenance Leadership (Expanded Scope)Ensure tight coordination among fleet operations, maintenance, and safety, aligning these functions toward shared objectives of reliability and compliance.Hold routine cross-functional meetings to resolve issues impacting fleet performance.Collaborate with maintenance to execute proactive and predictive maintenance strategies-supporting facility upgrades as needed.Work with safety leadership to integrate and continually upgrade safety practices organization-wide.QualificationsRequiredBachelor's degree in Transportation, Logistics, Business Administration, or similar disciplineA minimum of 10 years of progressive, hands-on experience in transportation and fleet management, including 5 years in an executive or senior leadership roleAdvanced knowledge of DOT regulations and complianceDemonstrated ability to run complex, large-scale fleet operationsExperience with fleet management and telematics systems (Trimble preferred)PreferredMaster's degree or specialized industry certifications (CTOM, AST&L, etc.)Industry background in retail, furniture, or consumer goodsFinancial management experience, with prior P&L responsibilityStrong analytical, data interpretation, and cross-functional leadership skillsPerformance MetricsFinancial & Operational KPIsOperating cost per mile: Annual reduction target of 3-5%TCO: Maintain at/below leading industry benchmarksBudget adherence: Remain within ±2% of approved annual budgetROI: Achieve minimum 15% ROI on new technology investmentsOn-time delivery: Maintain 98% or higherFleet utilization: Over 85%Vehicle downtime: Below 2% unplannedFuel efficiency: 2-3% annual improvementSafety & ComplianceAccident rate: Maintain under 2.0 per million milesDOT compliance: Over 95%Driver safety: Over 90% composite scoreClaims cost: 5% annual reductionTeam, Culture & InnovationFleet personnel retention: Over 80%Safety training: 100% completionTechnology adoption: Implement 2-3 solutions per yearData/reporting accuracy: Above 98%Process improvements: Minimum five per yearIntegrated Fleet Performance (Expanded Scope)Fleet uptime: Above 98%Preventive maintenance compliance: Over 95%Safety-related downtime: 10% annual reductionTimely resolution of cross-functional issues: Over 90% resolved within 30 daysClosing StatementThis is an extraordinary opportunity to lead one of the industry's premier private fleets, drive technological innovation, and champion operational excellence at Ashley Furniture Industries.