Senior Vice President, Transportation

Depot Connect International (DCI) is seeking a visionary Senior Vice President of Transportation to spearhead the modernization of our global transportation and logistics infrastructure. As we pivot from a traditional, fragmented depot operator into a high-velocity, tech-enabled global logistics powerhouse, this leader will ultimately be responsible for modernizing and optimizing our transportation business model. You will serve as the bridge between our operational realities—fleet management, drayage, and depot throughput—and our proprietary technology ecosystem.

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Transportation at DCI provides executive vision and operational oversight for our comprehensive bulk liquid, tank trailer, and ISO tank container transport network. This leader is responsible for optimizing a multi-million-dollar transportation P&L by managing a dual-capacity model consisting of specialized independent Owner-Operators and a driver-retained Dedicated/Company Fleet.

Given DCI's specialized footprint, the SVP ensures elite-level safety performance, regulatory alignment in chemical/hazardous hauling, and high-efficiency regional and local asset utilization across our vast network of over 190 locations. You will balance high-level strategic planning with a hands-on commitment to operational excellence, leveraging cutting-edge transportation technology, optimizing multi-million dollar budgets, and leading a high-performing team to deliver world-class service levels.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in the intricacies of the trucking industry and understands how to weaponize data, automation, and predictive analytics to drive profitability and operational safety.

Location: Houston, TX

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Transformation & Modernization

• TMS Architecture & Optimization: Oversee the optimization of our TMS (Transportation Management System) infrastructure. Drive the selection and rollout of enterprise-grade execution systems to replace legacy, manual, paper-based processes with real-time visibility platforms, and AI-driven route optimization.
• Operational Re-Engineering: Lead the Value Stream Mapping (VSM) and redesign of our "Order-to-Cash" flow. You will be responsible for developing and implementing new processes aimed at eliminating manual bottlenecks in load planning, driver dispatch, and asset management.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Transition the business from reactive reporting to predictive operations.
• Network Strategy: Define and execute a 3-to-5-year transportation roadmap aligned with corporate growth, sustainability targets, and financial objectives.
• (this is more for KKR: Sustainability Initiatives: Lead green logistics strategies, optimizing routes and modal shifts to dramatically reduce the company's carbon footprint)

2. Fleet & Logistics Management

• Commercial & Pricing Strategy: Partner with the commercial team to develop and implement dynamic quoting models and automated pricing structures that integrate across all global markets. Ensure our pricing strategy aligns with market volatility, value-added services, and customer-specific contract requirements.
• Asset & Capacity Utilization: Bridge the gap between existing software and hard assets, optimizing asset utilization.
• Owner/Dedicated Fleet: Provide executive oversight for owner/dedicated fleet operations, ensuring optimal asset utilization, driver retention, and strict DOT/safety compliance.

3. Safety & Cultural Leadership

• Zero-Harm Culture: Partner with EHS teams to ensure that all digital transformation initiatives prioritize safety and compliance above all else. Use technology to create "digitally enabled" compliance checks, automated carbon/emissions tracking, and predictive incident prevention.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure total compliance with FMCSA, DOT, and OSHA protocols, ensuring strict adherence to ELD mandates, hours of service (HOS), and tanker endorsements.
• Change Management: Champion a "culture of ownership" across the global workforce. Drive the adoption of new digital tools among dispatchers, drivers, and depot personnel teams to ensure seamless operational integration.

4. Financial Accountability & Risk Management

• P&L Ownership: Manage a multi-million/billion-dollar transportation budget, driving cost-reduction initiatives without compromising on-time delivery (OTDR).
• Compliance & Safety: Ensure 100% compliance with all federal, state, and international regulatory requirements (FMCSA, DOT, OSHA, Customs).
• Business Continuity: Build robust risk-mitigation frameworks to safeguard against market capacity disruptions, weather events, and geopolitical tensions.

5. Dual-Fleet Strategy & Capacity Optimization Owner-Operator Partnering:

• Owner-Operator Partnering: Direct the strategy for recruiting and retaining specialized CDL-A Owner-Operators. Oversee competitive compensation structures (including Hazmat and Fuel Surcharges) and regional lane predictability to maintain strong independent contractor networks.
• Dedicated & Company Fleet Management: Lead company driver operations, maximizing private asset utilization, local/regional slip-seating efficiency, and driver quality-of-life (Home Daily / High Quality Home Time initiatives).
• Capacity Balancing: Dynamically manage fleet allocation based on localized market volatility, matching specialized cargo types (chemical, food-grade, kosher, and industrial) to the correct capacity option.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• Transportation Industry Expertise: 10 years of experience in high-volume, asset-based transportation, specifically in intermodal drayage, container depot operations, and over-the-road (OTR) fleet management.
• Domain Knowledge: Comprehensive understanding of the bulk liquid industry, chemical supply chains, wash-rack depot networks, and strict food-grade/kosher cleaning/hauling guidelines.
• TMS Proficiency: Proven track record in implementing and managing enterprise-level TMS platforms (e.g., Trinium, Profit Tools). Direct experience in configuring workflows for load planning, billing, and driver settlement.
• Financial & Pricing Acumen: Strong background in trucking rate structures, margin analysis, and EBITDA optimization. Ability to translate operational metrics into P&L impact.
• Transformation Leadership: Experience leading large-scale business process re-engineering (BPR) or digital transformation projects in a decentralized or fragmented logistics environment.
• Tech-Forward Mindset: Experience integrating EDI/API connections with external marine terminals, rail ramps, and customer ERP systems. Familiarity with AI-driven predictive maintenance or logistics software is highly preferred.

DCI Benefits:

• Competitive base salary with annual bonus potential
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) with generous employer match
• Paid time off, including 10 paid holidays
• Optional health savings account & flexible spending account
• Life insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement