Transportation Manager

Job Title: Transportation Manager Location: Luling, TX (onsite)

About X-Bow Systems: X-Bow Systems is a cutting-edge aerospace technology company revolutionizing the defense, government and space industries. We are expanding our Supply Chain team and seeking a skilled Transportation Manager to oversee and optimize shipping, dispatching and transportation operations across multiple sites.

The Transportation Manager leads and optimizes X‑Bow's transportation, fleet and dispatch operations across multiple sites. This role ensures safe, compliant and cost‑effective movement of materials - including controlled hazardous materials and energetics - by managing in‑house drivers, third‑party carriers (3PLs), vendor relationships and transportation management systems (TMS).

The Transportation Manager reports to the Senior Logistics Manager and is accountable for regulatory compliance, carrier performance, driver qualifications and continuous process improvement.

If you have expertise in logistics management, shipment tracking, and dispatching CDL drivers, we encourage you to apply!

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Strategy

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership of transportation operations at the Luling site and remote support for other X‑Bow locations.
• Develop and implement transportation strategies and standard operating procedures that align with company objectives, safety standards and best value principles.
• Set priorities, operating standards and performance expectations for transportation functions.

Integration, Regulatory Compliance & Safety

• Ensure transportation operations comply with DOT and FMCSA regulations, Hours of Service (HOS), electronic logging device (ELD) rules and 49 CFR hazardous materials requirements.
• Oversee HAZMAT handling, packaging, labeling, and shipping procedures for ammunition, explosives, energetics and other controlled materials along with maintaining and updating documentation for regulatory inspections and audits.
• Partner with Quality, Manufacturing, Procurement, Warehouse and Program teams to support operational and compliance objectives.

Fleet & Driver Management

• Identify and maintain resources to support organic transportation requirements, to include dispatch functions and training for vehicle operations technicians.
• Dispatch and schedule CDL drivers for in‑house transportation requirements; enforce driver qualifications, licensing, endorsements (e.g., HAZMAT) and training.
• Implement and maintain driver training, coaching, performance evaluation and safety incentive programs.

Carrier & 3PL Management

• Source, qualify, contract and manage carriers and 3PL partners in addition to negotiating carrier rates, terms and service-level agreements.
• Establish and maintain a Carrier Performance Program with KPIs (on‑time pickup, on‑time delivery, damage/loss rates, claims, service failures) and run regular performance reviews and corrective action plans.

Operations & Systems

• Operate and continuously improve transportation workflows in the ERP/TMS; recommend and implement system enhancements to increase visibility, functionality and efficiency.
• Plan and optimize routing, consolidation and load planning to meet project deadlines while minimizing cost.
• Maintain accurate shipment documentation, manifests, bills of lading and export/import paperwork as required.

Risk Management & Claims

• Lead incident investigations for transportation accidents, cargo damage or regulatory violations; manage insurance claims and carrier recovery activities through collaboration with Finance as required.
• Maintain emergency response and contingency plans for emergent transportation disruptions.

Metrics, Reporting & Continuous Improvement

• Establish and report transportation KPIs and scorecards to site, department and corporate leadership upon request.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts (Lean/Kaizen, etc.) to reduce cost per shipment, reduce transit times and improve service levels.

Team Development

• Supervise, mentor, and develop transportation and dispatch staff across sites; support succession planning and cross‑training.
• Conduct performance reviews, prepare appraisals, set development plans and ensure teams follow safety and compliance policies.

Qualifications:

Education/Certifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in logistics, supply chain, business administration or related field highly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Transportation Professional (CTP), Certification in Transportation and Logistics (CTL), or similar are a plus.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in transportation/logistics management, preferably in a regulated manufacturing or defense environment.
• Proven experience managing CDL drivers, dispatch operations and vendor/3PL relationships.

Technical & Regulatory Expertise:

• Strong working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA regulatory requirements, 49 CFR hazardous materials shipping requirements, HOS/ELD rules and driver‑qualification regulations.
• Direct and extensive experience with shipping/handling ammunition, explosives or energetics required; ATF storage compliance knowledge and experience a plus.
• Proficiency with TMS, ERP transportation modules, routing/optimization tools and common logistics reporting tools.

Leadership & Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a cross‑functional team in a fast‑paced, compliance‑driven environment.
• Strong negotiation and vendor‑management skills; experience running carrier RFPs and contract negotiations.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, problem solving and project management skills.

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in logistics software and tools for tracking shipments and managing transportation schedules.
• Strong understanding of shipping, receiving and transportation processes.
• Experience managing transportation operations in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.
• Experience dispatching CDL drivers and managing transportation equipment.