Director Transportation Operations Excellence

Shape the Future of Aviation Catering Operations Across North America

Are you a transportation, airline operations, or aviation services leader who thrives in fast-paced, operationally complex environments?

We are seeking a Director, Transportation Operations Excellence to lead the transformation, standardization, and optimization of transportation operations across our U.S. airline catering network. This newly created, high-visibility role will serve as the enterprise transportation expert, partnering with executive leadership and field operations teams to drive world-class performance, safety, reliability, and innovation.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a transportation leader with experience in airline catering, aircraft ground handling, airport operations, airline operations, or aviation logistics who wants to influence strategy and operational excellence at a national scale.

Lead Transportation Strategy & Network Excellence

• Serve as the North America transportation subject matter expert for airline catering transportation operations and airside logistics
• Establish and implement transportation standards, operating procedures, and best practices across all locations
• Partner with senior executives to shape transportation strategy, optimize performance, and support future growth initiatives
• Benchmark performance against industry-leading aviation, logistics, and ground handling organizations

Drive Operational Performance

• Champion network-wide transportation excellence, ensuring consistent execution of on-time departures (D0), safety, and service commitments
• Identify opportunities to improve routing efficiencies, vehicle utilization, labor productivity, and operational reliability
• Lead strategic initiatives focused on cost optimization, process standardization, and operational consistency
• Develop contingency plans and response strategies for weather events, irregular operations (IROPs), and other critical disruptions

Leverage Data, Systems & Innovation

• Own transportation performance reporting, KPI development, dashboards, and operational analytics
• Serve as the transportation systems expert for tools such as Groundstar and Forms
• Partner with Continuous Improvement and Technology teams to implement innovative solutions, automation initiatives, and predictive analytics
• Use data-driven insights to influence decision-making and improve network performance

Influence Across the Organization

• Collaborate with operations, culinary production, commercial teams, airport stakeholders, and customers to align transportation execution with business objectives
• Support new station openings, operational expansions, and customer launches
• Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts and serve as the escalation point for complex transportation challenges

Build Transportation Leadership Capability

• Mentor and develop transportation directors and managers across the network
• Lead onboarding and training programs for newly hired transportation leaders
• Foster a culture centered on safety, accountability, customer service, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
• Help create the next generation of transportation leadership within the organization

Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Logistics, Aviation Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered
• 8+ years of progressive leadership experience in:
  • Airline Catering Transportation
  • Aircraft Ground Handling Services
  • Airport Operations
  • Airline Operations
  • Aviation Logistics
  • Transportation Network Operations
• Experience leading multi-site, regional, or network-level operations
• Strong knowledge of airside operations, airport environments, and aviation safety requirements
• Proven success driving operational excellence, process improvement, and cost optimization initiatives
• Experience utilizing operational systems, analytics, and performance dashboards
• Ability to travel up to 70% domestically

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale aviation or transportation networks
• Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence experience
• Demonstrated success leading organizational change and standardization initiatives
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Dallas-Fort Worth area