Role SummaryThe Network Transportation Manager is a critical, hands-on role responsible for building and scaling our own last mile delivery capability while managing our broader fleet and carrier network across 4 nodes. This is a greenfield opportunity - we are moving from a carrier-dependent model toward owning the last mile, and this person will design and execute that transition. You will own day-to-day performance across the network, manage strategic carrier partnerships during the build, collaborate with our data science team to develop the analytics foundation, and architect the long-term network strategy covering national, regional, and own-carrier operations.
Building our own last mile is the priority. That means standing up the operational infrastructure - routes, drivers, vehicles, compliance, technology - while simultaneously managing the third-party carrier relationships that bridge us to that future state. You will set the 3-, 6-, and 12-month planning horizons for both the transition and the broader network, while also being the person who picks up the phone when a lane goes down today.
Key ResponsibilitiesOwn Last Mile Buildout (Primary Focus)- Lead the design and buildout of PRTS's own last mile delivery operation - this is the core strategic priority of the role
- Define the operating model: route structures, driver/vehicle requirements, service zones, delivery windows, and cost-per-stop targets across each node
- Build the infrastructure needed to run owned delivery: onboard and manage drivers (W2 or contract), establish vehicle procurement or leasing strategy, and implement last mile technology (route optimization, proof-of-delivery, driver apps)
- Develop the business case and phased transition plan for shifting volume from third-party last mile carriers to owned operations - with clear milestones, cost targets, and service benchmarks
- Establish DOT compliance, HOS tracking, and driver safety programs from the ground up for the owned fleet
- Partner with data science to build the routing, dispatch, and performance analytics that power a scalable owned delivery operation
Fleet & Carrier Operations (Ongoing Execution)- Own day-to-day transportation operations across all 4 network nodes - on-time performance, cost per unit, exception management, and service recovery
- Manage third-party last mile and middle mile carrier partners (national, regional, and spot) through scorecards, SLA reviews, and regular business reviews - these partners bridge the gap while owned last mile scales
- Develop, implement, and enforce SOPs, carrier compliance standards, DOT and safety regulations, and operational documentation
- Lead carrier sourcing, contract negotiation, and onboarding as the network expands into new geographies and volume tiers
- Forecast transportation capacity needs across 3-, 6-, and 12-month horizons to stay ahead of demand and avoid service gaps
Network Architecture & Strategic Planning- Own the long-term transportation network architecture - defining the trajectory from carrier-dependent to owned last mile, and the right mix of national, regional, and own-carrier operations at maturity
- Model the financial and operational trade-offs of owned vs. outsourced last mile at different volume thresholds and geographies
- Build capacity planning and peak season frameworks; ensure the network is never caught flat-footed during surges
- Identify and recommend new node placements, lane optimizations, and carrier diversification opportunities
- Partner with senior leadership to translate network strategy into actionable roadmaps with measurable milestones
Data, Analytics & Capability Buildout- Serve as the primary business owner and collaborator for transportation analytics with our data science team - define requirements, co-develop tools, and validate outputs
- Build and own KPI dashboards covering carrier performance, cost-per-stop, transit times, exception rates, and network utilization
- Perform trend analyses to identify underperforming lanes, rising cost drivers, and systemic exceptions - then act on them
- Drive automation and process improvements that reduce manual intervention and improve delivery reliability
- Establish a data-first operating culture within transportation from day one
Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Leadership- Partner with warehouse and fulfillment teams to align inbound/outbound schedules and reduce dwell time across all nodes
- Work with Finance on transportation budgeting, cost tracking, carrier rate benchmarking, and variance reporting
- Serve as the escalation owner for carrier failures, service disruptions, and network exceptions - resolve fast, document root cause, prevent recurrence
- Represent transportation in cross-functional planning meetings; bring visibility, data, and clear recommendations
WHAT YOU WILL OWN - FIRST 90 DAYS30 DaysComplete a full audit of existing carrier relationships, fleet utilization, DOT/compliance posture, and node-level performance across all 4 locations. Identify the top 3 operational gaps and present findings to leadership.
60 DaysStand up carrier scorecards and SLA baselines for all active partners. Kick off the first analytics sprint with the data science team. Deliver an initial assessment of own last mile feasibility by node - volume thresholds, route density, cost-per-stop modeling, and infrastructure requirements.
90 DaysDeliver a network architecture recommendation covering the path to owned last mile - phased by node, with volume triggers, capital requirements, and service targets. Include the national/regional carrier strategy for middle mile and the lanes where third-party last mile remains the right near-term answer.
QUALIFICATIONSRequired- 6+ years of experience in transportation operations, network management, or supply chain logistics - with meaningful exposure to owned/private fleet or own last mile operations
- Hands-on experience building or operating an owned last mile delivery program - you have stood up routes, managed drivers, and know what it takes to make unit economics work
- Direct experience with both middle mile and last mile operations; you understand the cost structure, service dynamics, and failure modes of each - and how they interact
- Proven track record managing carrier relationships end-to-end: sourcing, contracting, performance management, and escalation resolution
- Experience operating across multiple distribution or fulfillment nodes (3+ preferred)
- Demonstrated ability to build and own 3-, 6-, and 12-month operational plans including labor, capacity, and carrier forecasting
- Working knowledge of DOT regulations, Hours of Service (HOS), carrier compliance requirements, and transportation safety standards
- Strong analytical skills - comfortable building reports, interpreting transportation data, identifying trends, and driving decisions from metrics
- Proven ability to develop and implement SOPs, policies, and process improvements in a logistics or distribution environment
- Excellent communication skills - equally effective with carriers, warehouse teams, data scientists, and the CFO
- Builder mentality: you have operated without a fully built infrastructure and found it energizing, not frustrating
Preferred- Experience designing or contributing to long-term transportation network strategy - carrier mix modeling, node architecture, own-fleet business cases
- Background at a growth-stage or startup logistics company where you built processes from scratch
- Familiarity with TMS platforms, route optimization tools, or carrier API/EDI integrations
- Experience as a collaborator or product owner with a data science or engineering team building logistics analytics tools
- Deep experience with own/private fleet operations: asset acquisition or leasing, driver hiring and management (W2 and/or contractor models), vehicle maintenance programs, and private fleet P&L
- Experience building the business case for insourcing last mile - modeling cost-per-stop, route density, volume thresholds, and make-vs-buy trade-offs
- Prior experience at or benchmarking against large-scale operators (e.g., Amazon Logistics, Walmart Transportation, XPO, Echo, Coyote) - you know the playbook and can right-size it for a lean organization
THE RIGHT FITYou are a great fit if...- You have built or run an owned last mile operation and know what the early days look like
- You have led transportation at a mid-size or scaling company
- You know what good looks like from a large operator - and you can adapt it
- You are comfortable being the smartest person in the room on transportation and rolling up your sleeves anyway
- You want ownership over building something that lasts
This may not be the right fit if...- You are used to managing teams of managers and need that structure to be effective
- You prefer to set direction and hand off execution to others
- Ambiguity and incomplete process make you uncomfortable
- You are looking for a large team and a fully built playbook
A reasonable salary estimate based on education, experience, and geographic location is: $120,000-$150,000
The above-noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the incumbent a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position.
