Vice President of Transportation Operations- Job Description
Position Summary
Ashley Furniture Industries is searching for a dynamic and strategic executive to serve as Vice President of Transportation Operations. This key leader will oversee our private fleet, recognized as one of the top in the industry, and be responsible for driving exceptional performance in efficiency, safety, and cost management across multiple locations. The role is accountable for integrating operations, maintenance, and safety to ensure best-in-class reliability and delivery excellence.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Cost Management
- Shape and implement advanced fleet strategies to achieve operational excellence while delivering consistent cost reductions.
- Lead modernization projects, emphasizing holistic cost management and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization.
- Cultivate strategic vendor relationships to secure the best terms and pricing.
- Launch ongoing improvement efforts targeting at least 5–7% annual reductions in costs.
- Routinely perform cost-benefit reviews for investments and operational changes.
Operational Oversight & Efficiency
- Manage all aspects of fleet operations with a focus on reducing cost per mile and maximizing asset utilization.
- Introduce and champion lean processes for eliminating inefficiencies.
- Use advanced analytics for route optimization and resource deployment.
- Direct preventive maintenance and predictive programs to extend asset life and avoid unnecessary repairs.
- Align fleet size and capabilities closely with business needs to ensure agility and efficiency.
Team Leadership & Development
- Inspire, build, and develop a high-performance operations team grounded in safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Promote a culture of collaboration, partnering closely with distribution, HR, supply chain, safety, and finance.
Technology & Innovation
- Oversee the adoption of cutting-edge fleet management technologies and data-driven tools.
- Lead efforts in digital transformation within fleet operations.
- Identify and integrate emerging innovations that enhance fleet capabilities.
Safety & Regulatory Compliance
- Uphold leading safety standards and institute robust accident prevention measures.
- Guarantee full regulatory and DOT compliance across all transport operations.
- Spearhead risk management and safety training initiatives.
Cross-Functional Integration & Maintenance Leadership (Expanded Scope)
- Ensure tight coordination among fleet operations, maintenance, and safety, aligning these functions toward shared objectives of reliability and compliance.
- Hold routine cross-functional meetings to resolve issues impacting fleet performance.
- Collaborate with maintenance to execute proactive and predictive maintenance strategies—supporting facility upgrades as needed.
- Work with safety leadership to integrate and continually upgrade safety practices organization-wide.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Logistics, Business Administration, or similar discipline
- A minimum of 10 years of progressive, hands-on experience in transportation and fleet management, including 5 years in an executive or senior leadership role
- Advanced knowledge of DOT regulations and compliance
- Demonstrated ability to run complex, large-scale fleet operations
- Experience with fleet management and telematics systems (Trimble preferred)
Preferred
- Master’s degree or specialized industry certifications (CTOM, AST&L, etc.)
- Industry background in retail, furniture, or consumer goods
- Financial management experience, with prior P&L responsibility
- Strong analytical, data interpretation, and cross-functional leadership skills
Performance Metrics
Financial & Operational KPIs
- Operating cost per mile: Annual reduction target of 3–5%
- TCO: Maintain at/below leading industry benchmarks
- Budget adherence: Remain within ±2% of approved annual budget
- ROI: Achieve minimum 15% ROI on new technology investments
- On-time delivery: Maintain 98% or higher
- Fleet utilization: Over 85%
- Vehicle downtime: Below 2% unplanned
- Fuel efficiency: 2–3% annual improvement
Safety & Compliance
- Accident rate: Maintain under 2.0 per million miles
- DOT compliance: Over 95%
- Driver safety: Over 90% composite score
- Claims cost: 5% annual reduction
Team, Culture & Innovation
- Fleet personnel retention: Over 80%
- Safety training: 100% completion
- Technology adoption: Implement 2–3 solutions per year
- Data/reporting accuracy: Above 98%
- Process improvements: Minimum five per year
Integrated Fleet Performance (Expanded Scope)
- Fleet uptime: Above 98%
- Preventive maintenance compliance: Over 95%
- Safety-related downtime: 10% annual reduction
- Timely resolution of cross-functional issues: Over 90% resolved within 30 days
Closing Statement
This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead one of the industry’s premier private fleets, drive technological innovation, and champion operational excellence at Ashley Furniture Industries.
