Director, Line Haul Strategy & Operations

Echo Global Logistics, Inc; Greenfield (IN); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Echo Global Logistics, Inc. is seeking a Director of Line Haul Strategy & Operations to shape Echo’s line haul capabilities across the network.

You will develop strategic lane structures, optimize capacity, and partner with Operations, Carrier Management, Pricing, Sales, Finance, and Technology to translate plans into measurable results. The role emphasizes data analytics, cost control, service quality, and cross-functional leadership, with a mandate to drive profitability while ensuring

Qualifications

• Experience leading line haul or network strategy in logistics.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making.
• Proven ability to drive profitability and service improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead line haul strategy to optimize capacity, cost, and service.
• Collaborate with Operations, Carrier Management, Pricing, Sales, Finance, and Tech.
• Establish KPIs and dashboards for network performance.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve efficiency and profitability.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Data-driven decision making

Stakeholder collaboration

Cost and profitability optimization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Tools

TMS platforms

Transportation technology

Job description

Roadtex Transportation has become a leader in the nationwide LTL industry, specializing in transporting time and temperature-sensitive products. We handle refrigerated and LTL needs by leveraging no sailing schedules, our nationwide network of 32 strategically placed temperature-controlled facilities, our state-of-the-art tracking, and our specialized equipment and warehousing capabilities. In 2022, Roadtex was acquired by Echo Global Logistics. The acquisition brings a truckload brokerage and expanded transportation management solutions to Roadtex's customers while providing Echo with our national warehouse footprint and advanced temperature-controlled transportation solutions.

Position Summary

The Director, Line Haul Strategy & Operations is responsible for developing and leading Echo’s line haul strategy to optimize transportation capacity, cost, service, and profitability across the network. This role will serve as a key transportation leader, partnering across Operations, Carrier Management, Pricing, Sales, Finance, and Technology to develop scalable solutions that improve network performance and support profitable growth. The Director will leverage transportation market knowledge, carrier relationships, operational expertise, and data analytics to identify opportunities to improve line haul economics, increase capacity, enhance service levels, and create greater consistency across the organization. This leader will be expected to operate at both a strategic and executional level, establishing the vision and operating model for line haul while ensuring strategies are effectively translated into measurable results.

Core Responsibilities

Line Haul Strategy & Network Optimization

Develop and execute Echo’s line haul strategy in alignment with overall transportation, financial, and customer objectives. Evaluate freight flows, lane volumes, carrier capacity, market conditions, service requirements, and transportation costs to optimize the network. Identify opportunities to improve network density, equipment utilization, routing, consolidation, and overall transportation efficiency. Develop strategies to reduce transportation costs while maintaining or improving customer service and carrier performance. Establish lane-level strategies based on volume, market conditions, capacity availability, service requirements, and profitability. Identify opportunities to leverage network scale and volume to improve transportation economics. Develop contingency and capacity strategies to address market disruptions, seasonal demand, and capacity constraints.

Carrier Strategy & Capacity

Partner closely with Carrier Management and Sourcing to develop strategic carrier capacity plans. Establish preferred carrier strategies for key lanes, markets, and customer requirements. Develop and maintain relationships with strategic transportation providers. Analyze carrier acceptance, capacity availability, pricing, service, and performance to optimize carrier allocation. Partner with internal teams to ensure the right capacity is available at the right cost and service level. Support strategic carrier negotiations, capacity commitments, and transportation agreements. Develop proactive strategies to address carrier capacity shortages and changing market conditions.

Financial & Margin Management

Own line haul financial performance and identify opportunities to improve transportation margin and profitability. Establish and monitor key financial metrics, including cost per mile, cost per shipment, transportation spend, gross margin, and budget performance. Partner with Pricing and Sales to ensure line haul economics are accurately incorporated into customer pricing and RFP strategies. Analyze market pricing and transportation trends to identify opportunities and risks. Develop financial forecasts and transportation cost assumptions to support business planning. Identify and execute initiatives that reduce transportation costs and improve profitability. Balance cost optimization with customer service, carrier relationships, and long-term network health.

Operational Performance

Establish the operating standards and KPIs necessary to effectively manage line haul performance. Monitor performance across key metrics including: Cost per mile Cost per shipment Gross margin Carrier acceptance Capacity fulfillment On-time pickup and delivery Transit performance Empty miles Carrier utilization Service failures. Develop reporting and dashboards that provide clear visibility into network performance. Identify root causes of performance gaps and develop corrective action plans. Establish accountability across teams for line haul execution and results. Partner with Operations to improve exception management and transportation execution.

Technology, Data & Automation

Partner with Echo’s Technology and Strategic Analytics teams to develop data-driven tools that improve line haul decision-making. Identify opportunities to automate manual transportation processes and improve visibility into line haul performance. Leverage Echo’s TMS and technology platforms to optimize carrier selection, pricing, capacity, routing, and network performance. Develop analytical models and dashboards that enable leaders to make informed transportation decisions. Use data to identify trends, predict capacity requirements, and proactively manage network performance. Serve as a business leader in the development and implementation of transportation technology enhancements.

Sales & Customer Partnership

Serve as a line haul subject matter expert for Sales and Account Management. Support strategic customer opportunities, RFPs, implementations, and business reviews. Partner with Sales and Pricing to develop transportation strategies that balance customer requirements with profitability. Provide insight into transportation market conditions, capacity, pricing, and service expectations. Help develop differentiated transportation solutions that strengthen Echo’s value proposition with customers. Partner with Operations and Account Management to resolve complex transportation challenges.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Establish strong partnerships across Operations, Carrier Management, Pricing, Sales, Finance, Technology, and Analytics. Drive alignment around line haul strategy, priorities, performance expectations, and financial objectives. Lead cross-functional initiatives focused on improving transportation efficiency and profitability. Communicate transportation market trends, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to senior leadership. Serve as the central point of accountability for strategic line haul initiatives. Ensure strategic decisions are translated into consistent execution across the organization.

People Leadership

Lead, develop, and coach the Line Haul team, creating a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and results. Establish clear goals, KPIs, and performance expectations. Develop talent and create career-development opportunities within the organization. Build succession plans and identify high-potential talent for future leadership roles. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and data-driven decision-making. Partner with HR and leadership to develop organizational capabilities required to support future growth.

Strategic Priorities

1. Improve Line Haul Economics Drive measurable improvements in transportation cost, margin, and network profitability.
2. Strengthen Carrier Capacity Build a scalable carrier strategy that provides reliable capacity while optimizing cost and service.
3. Optimize the Network Use freight data and market intelligence to improve network density, utilization, routing, and transportation efficiency.
4. Improve Visibility Create greater transparency into line haul performance through standardized KPIs, reporting, and analytics.
5. Leverage Technology Identify opportunities to automate and improve transportation decision-making through Echo’s technology and data capabilities.
6. Create Scalable Processes Develop consistent line haul processes and operating standards that can scale with Echo’s growth.
7. Drive Cross-Functional Accountability Create alignment across Sales, Operations, Pricing, Carrier Management, Finance, and Technology around transportation performance and profitability.

Key Performance Indicators

• Line haul gross margin improvement
• Cost-per-mile improvement
• Transportation cost reduction
• Carrier acceptance and capacity fulfillment
• On-time pickup and delivery
• Carrier performance
• Network utilization
• Empty-mile reduction
• Customer service performance
• Forecast and budget accuracy
• Productivity improvements
• Automation/process improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or related field preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, freight brokerage, managed transportation, or supply chain.
• 5+ years of experience in transportation strategy, carrier management, network optimization, pricing, or operations.
• 3+ years of experience leading teams and developing transportation professionals.
• Strong understanding of domestic transportation markets and line haul economics.
• Demonstrated experience managing transportation costs and profitability.
• Strong understanding of carrier capacity, sourcing, pricing, and network optimization.
• Proven ability to use data and analytics to identify transportation opportunities and drive business decisions.
• Experience with TMS platforms and transportation technology strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior leaders across multiple functions.
• Strong negotiation, communication, presentation, and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, technology-enabled transportation environment.

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic transportation leader who combines deep industry knowledge with strong business and financial acumen. This individual should be comfortable moving between high-level strategy and detailed transportation analysis and should have the credibility to influence senior leaders, carriers, and operational teams. The successful leader will be: Strategic – sees the broader network and long-term opportunity. Commercially minded – understands the relationship between cost, price, margin, and customer value. Data-driven – uses analytics to identify opportunities and measure results. Operationally focused – ensures strategies translate into execution. Collaborative – builds alignment across traditionally siloed functions. Technology-oriented – looks for opportunities to automate and scale. Decisive – makes informed decisions quickly in a dynamic transportation market. A people leader – develops talent and builds a strong leadership pipeline.

Organizational Impact

The Director of Line Haul will play a critical role in elevating Echo’s line haul capabilities from a transactional transportation function to a strategic competitive advantage. Through stronger network optimization, carrier strategy, technology utilization, financial management, and cross-functional alignment, this role will help Echo improve service, increase transportation efficiency, strengthen margins, and create a scalable operating model to support continued growth.

Work environment/physical demands summary

This job operates in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office with an open seating floor plan. The employee may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the work day. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or Vietnam era or other protected veteran.

Benefits

For more information about our benefit offerings, please visit our careers page at https://www.echo.com/company/careers.

Echo Global Logistics is a leading provider of technology-enabled transportation management services. As a third-party logistics provider, we at Echo Global Logistics, we’re in the business of simplifying transportation management. We didn’t become a Fortune 1000 company by chance. We got here because of our team members, who are unwavering in their pursuit to solve complex problems, provide exceptional service, and make an impact every day. Come join Echo and accelerate your career! Your recruiter will keep you informed on what that will look like for the role you are being considered for. During the recruiting process, our recruiting team will continue connecting with qualified candidates in a virtual setting and will have the option of in-office interviews depending on location and the role. For those who are joining the Echo family, your onboarding experience will also be conducted virtually until further notice.