Director of Transportation

Graphic Packaging International is seeking a Director of Transportation to lead the strategy, sourcing, and execution of a large‑scale, multimodal transportation network supporting our North American manufacturing and converting footprint. This role is accountable for both transportation procurement and operational execution, managing the movement of inbound raw materials, mill‑to‑converting flows, and finished goods shipments across a network of 5 paperboard mills and approximately 70 converting plants. The Director oversees approximately $450M in annual freight spend and supports the execution of approximately 300,000 shipments annually. Reporting to the VP of Logistics, this leader partners closely with Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Warehousing, Commercial, and Finance teams to deliver safe, reliable, and cost‑effective transportation performance while supporting high service‑level customer expectations. Key Responsibilities Lead enterprise transportation strategy across Truckload, Rail, Intermodal, LTL, Ocean, and Shuttle services. Own transportation sourcing and category management for approximately $450M in annual freight spend. Lead carrier procurement, RFPs, contract negotiations, and carrier portfolio optimization. Drive sustainable savings and inflation mitigation through network optimization, modal conversion, and continuous improvement initiatives. Establish and manage KPIs for savings, cost avoidance, carrier performance, and service outcomes. Transportation Operations & Execution Lead centralized transportation operations supporting: Inbound raw materials (fiber and chemicals) Finished goods shipments to customers Support execution across a North American manufacturing network of 5 paperboard mills and 70 converting plants. Ensure reliable execution for approximately 250k truckloads, 15k ocean containers, and 10k railcars annually. Drive transportation execution in support of a 98% On‑Time, In‑Full (OTIF) customer service target. Partner closely with Warehousing, Customer Service, and Plant leadership to ensure execution discipline, rapid issue resolution, and service reliability. Ensure compliance with DOT, FMCSA, FRA, and applicable transportation safety and regulatory requirements. People Leadership & Organizational Effectiveness Lead, coach, and develop a team of approximately 20 transportation professionals across sourcing and operations. Set clear performance expectations, objectives, and accountability at both leadership and individual contributor levels. Build a high‑performance culture focused on execution excellence, continuous improvement, and results. Drive talent development, succession planning, and capability building within the transportation organization. Promote standard work, best practices, and cross‑functional collaboration. Leverage analytics, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), and performance dashboards to identify cost drivers, service gaps, and optimization opportunities. Apply Lean and structured problem‑solving methodologies to improve transportation efficiency, reliability, and scalability. Education & Experience Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or related field required; MBA preferred. 10+ years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, or supply chain roles within a manufacturing or asset‑intensive environment. Demonstrated experience leading both transportation sourcing and transportation operations. Proven people leadership experience managing teams and influencing cross‑functional stakeholders. Experience supporting complex, multi‑site manufacturing networks and high‑volume customer demand. Technical & Functional Competencies Deep knowledge of multimodal transportation markets and carrier economics. Strong understanding of manufacturing logistics flows, including raw materials, inter‑plant movements, and finished goods distribution. Expertise in transportation sourcing, contract governance, and index‑based pricing mechanisms. Proficiency with TMS platforms and transportation analytics tools. Working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, FRA, and transportation compliance requirements. Strong analytical, communication, and change‑leadership skills. Preferred Experience Experience in paper, packaging, forest products, building materials, chemicals, or other asset‑intensive manufacturing industries. Experience supporting high service‑level customers, including Fortune 500 Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) and Foodservice / Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) customers. Familiarity with transportation execution in environments with tight delivery windows, service‑level agreements, and OTIF performance expectations. Pay Range: $172,300.00-$229,700.00 Graphic Packaging is an equal opportunity employer and abides by all applicable federal, state provincial and local laws with respect to the recruitment and hiring process. We are committed to an inclusive, barrier‑free recruitment and hiring process free from discrimination or harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Should you require an accommodation for a disability, please contact your Human Resources representative or email View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr