Director Strategic Carrier Partnerships

Description

Essential Job Functions

• Strategic Carrier Development

• Identify, qualify, and onboard strategic national and regional carriers aligned with Crane Solutions' risk, service, and pricing strategy

• Own executive-level relationships with carrier leadership (operations, security, pricing, sales, and executive sponsors)

• Negotiate enterprise frameworks covering security standards, HVHR protocols, escalation authority, service levels, and commercial rate structures

• Serve as the escalation point for carrier-level systemic issues impacting multiple regions, programs, or pricing commitments

• Carrier Procurement & Pricing Strategy

• Develop and maintain enterprise carrier rate frameworks that support brokerage, managed transportation, and HVHR programs

• Partner with Sales, Solutions, and Pricing teams to ensure carrier pricing enables competitive bids and new customer wins

• Secure committed or semi-committed pricing with national and regional carriers for core lanes, programs, and surge scenarios

• Reduce reliance on volatile spot markets by expanding strategic carrier participation

• Support RFQs, new customer pursuits, and expansions with pre-negotiated carrier pricing strategies

• HVHR & Secure Transportation Enablement

• Ensure strategic carriers meet or exceed Crane Solutions HVHR security, compliance, and tracking standards

• Partner with Security, Compliance, and Operations leadership to continuously improve carrier risk posture without eroding pricing discipline

• Lead carrier readiness reviews for high-risk programs and sensitive customers

• Remove, restrict, or reprice carriers when risk thresholds or performance standards are breached

• Carrier Governance & Performance

• Evaluates and ensures carrier performance including, but not limited to, SLA adherence, tender acceptance, KPIs, safety and security

• Establish carrier scorecards and executive business reviews (QBRs) covering service, security, and pricing performance

• Track performance trends, near misses, pricing adherence, and systemic rise indicators

• Provide leadership with data-driven insights on carrier selection, promotion, restriction, removal, or renegotiation

• Maintains database of strategic carrier partners

• Internal Alignment

• Partner with Carrier Sales, Operations, Security, Pricing, and Client Development to align execution with carrier strategy

• Ensure new customer pursuits and RFQs are supported by viable, pre-qualified carrier and pricing strategies

• Other duties as assigned

Other Skills & Abilities

• Quality management-look for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• High degree of organizational skills

• Demonstrates effective negotiation and closing techniques

• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

• Works well in a team environment

Physical Requirements

• Talking, hearing and using hands to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other computer components

• Sitting for extended periods of time

• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus

• Job will require punctual attendance and regular presence on-site at the assigned work location

• Walking within the warehouse and inspecting freight

Education & Experience

• 10+ years of experience in transportation, carrier management, logistics strategy, or carrier procurement

• Demonstrated experience negotiating enterprise-level carrier pricing with national/regional asset-based carriers

• Deep understanding of truckload operations, carrier economics, and HVHR risk dynamics

• Proven ability to operate at executive and enterprise levels

• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills

• High school diploma or GED/Bachelor's degree preferred

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• Professional certification may be required in some areas.

WHY SHOULD YOU WORK FOR CRANE?

At Crane, we believe in providing our employees with excellent benefits at a Great Place to Work.

We offer:

• Quarterly Incentive Plan

• 136 hours of Paid Time Off which equals 17 days for the year, that can be used for Sick Time or for Personal Use

• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision benefits

• Tuition Reimbursement for education related to your job

• Employee Referral Bonuses

• Employee Recognition and Rewards Program

• Paid Volunteer Time to support a cause that is close to your heart and contributes to our communities

• Employee Discounts

• Wellness Incentives that can go up to $100 per year for completing challenges, in addition to a discount on contribution rates

Come join the leader in logistics and take your career in the right direction.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E-Verify Check.

More Information:

Company benefits are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and plan conditions.

Qualifications

Education

Required

• High School or better

Preferred

• Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights ( notice from the Department of Labor.