Director, Logistics

The Director, Logistics is responsible for leading Curriculum Associates' logistics strategy and managing the company's third-party logistics (3PL) partnerships across warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, returns, and international shipping. This role ensures that CA's distribution network operates at a high level of service, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness through strong vendor governance and continuous improvement.

As the primary owner of CA's 3PL relationships, the Director will develop and maintain strategic partnerships, negotiate contracts, define service level agreements, and hold partners accountable to operational and quality standards. The role also maintains visibility into internal operational performance to ensure alignment between CA's business requirements and 3PL execution across all logistics channels.

This is a senior individual contributor and people leader role that partners closely with Supply Chain, Order Management, Finance, and Customer Service teams to ensure seamless delivery of CA products to districts, schools, and individual customers nationwide.

The impact you'll have:

3PL Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact and strategic owner for all CA 3PL partnerships across warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, reverse logistics, and international shipping

• Partner with procurement & legal to lead contract negotiations, renewals, and SLA development with 3PL providers to ensure alignment with CA's cost, service, and quality requirements

• Conduct regular business reviews with 3PL partners, driving accountability to performance targets and identifying areas for improvement

• Evaluate, onboard, and transition 3PL partners as needed, ensuring smooth operational continuity during any provider changes

• Maintain a deep understanding of 3PL partner capabilities, capacity, and technologies to proactively identify opportunities and risks

Warehousing and Fulfillment Oversight

• Oversee CA's outsourced warehousing and order fulfillment operations, ensuring 3PL partners meet accuracy, throughput, and SLA standards

• Monitor inbound and outbound inventory flows, partnering with 3PLs to ensure operational readiness during peak seasons and major product launches

• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for fulfillment operations including order accuracy, on-time shipment, and inventory shrinkage

• Collaborate with the internal Supply Chain team on inventory positioning, forecasting, and allocation strategies across fulfillment nodes

Transportation and Freight Management

• Oversee CA's transportation network, including parcel, LTL, FTL, and freight broker relationships managed through 3PL partners

• Drive carrier performance, cost optimization, and service level compliance across inbound and outbound shipping channels

• Partner with 3PLs and internal teams to evaluate and implement transportation strategies that balance speed, cost, and sustainability

• Monitor freight spend and identify opportunities to reduce costs without compromising delivery performance

Reverse Logistics and Returns Management

• Lead CA's returns and reverse logistics strategy in partnership with 3PL providers, ensuring efficient and accurate processing of returned product

• Establish clear returns processing standards, disposition rules, and reporting requirements with 3PL partners

• Work with Finance and Operations teams to track returns rates, disposition value, and overall reverse logistics cost and performance

International Logistics and Compliance

• Manage international shipping channels through 3PL partners and freight forwarders, ensuring compliance with customs, import/export regulations, and trade policies

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders on international order requirements, documentation standards, and delivery commitments

• Monitor international logistics performance and costs, identifying opportunities to improve service levels and reduce complexity

Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across CA's 3PL network using data-driven analysis and structured problem-solving approaches

• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance service performance, reduce operating costs, and improve the customer experience

• Establish performance management routines including KPI dashboards, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning with 3PL partners

• Stay current on logistics industry trends, emerging 3PL capabilities, and technology innovations that could benefit CA's network

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Reporting

• Partner with Supply Chain, Order Management, Customer Service, Finance, and IT teams to ensure logistics operations support CA's business requirements

• Provide regular reporting on logistics performance, cost trends, 3PL compliance, and initiative progress to senior leadership

• Support implementation of new systems, logistics technologies, or operational enhancements in collaboration with 3PL partners and internal stakeholders

Who we're looking for:

• Proven ability to manage and hold accountable complex, multi-provider 3PL networks across warehousing, transportation, and fulfillment

• Strong contract negotiation skills with experience structuring SLAs, KPIs, and performance governance frameworks for logistics providers

• Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with experience using data to drive operational decisions and continuous improvement

• Deep knowledge of logistics operations including warehousing, parcel and freight transportation, reverse logistics, and international shipping

• Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority

• Experience implementing or leveraging logistics technology platforms (WMS, TMS, visibility tools) in partnership with 3PL providers

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience). Master’s degree preferred

• 10 to 12+ years of logistics, supply chain, or operations experience with progressive leadership responsibility

• Minimum 5 years of direct 3PL management experience, including contract negotiation, SLA governance, and performance management

• Demonstrated experience managing multiple logistics channels including warehousing, transportation, returns, and international shipping

• Proven track record of driving continuous improvement and cost savings within a complex logistics network

Preferred Qualifications:

• APICS CSCP, CLTD, or similar supply chain/logistics certification

• Experience with WMS, TMS, or supply chain visibility platforms

• Experience managing logistics in a publishing, media, or education materials industry

• Familiarity with customs brokerage and international trade compliance requirements

• Experience leading logistics network design or 3PL RFP and onboarding processes

Success Metrics

• Achievement of 3PL service level targets across fulfillment, transportation, and returns

• Demonstrated improvement in logistics cost efficiency and freight spend management

• Strong 3PL partner performance and accountability to SLA and KPI commitments

• High levels of order accuracy, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction

• Effective management of international shipping compliance and delivery performance

• Successful implementation of continuous improvement initiatives across the 3PL network

• Positive cross-functional relationships and logistics visibility across the organization

Travel: Travel as needed (20 to 30%) to 3PL partner sites, CA facilities, and corporate meetings

Location: This role is based at our North Billerica, Massachusetts office, following our company's in-office day schedule. Candidates must live within commuting distance of North Billerica, Massachusetts. We are also open to candidates living in the Greater St. Louis, Missouri area, who are willing to travel to our office in MA.

Salary range for this role: $110,500 - $196,500