{"id":4144419,"url":"https://alion.io/job/icat-logistics-director-operations-defense","title":"Director Operations - Defense","company":{"id":3854180,"name":"Icat Logistics","domain":"icatlogistics.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/icat-logistics","size_band":"201-500","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Paylocity","truth_index":null},"role":"Management","role_family":"Management","seniority":"head","employment_type":"full_time","work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Elkridge, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":{"min":146816,"max":172725,"currency":"USD","period":"year","gross":null,"usd_annual":172725},"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":8,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"Microsoft Office","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-11-09T18:37:01Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-12","last_verified_at":"2026-11-12T06:31:30Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":2,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":2},"description":"Description\nThe Director Operations - Defense oversees and leads operational execution, customer experience, compliance, and process efficiency for ICAT’s Defense Contracting business subvertical. This role collaborates closely with the subvertical commercial lead and vertical leadership team to identify and drive strategic growth initiatives. The Director serves as the operational leader for defense-related logistics activities executed by a Control Tower team, ensuring mission-critical freight moves are executed efficiently and profitably while supporting long-term customer growth through vertical-specific solutions.\nThe Director of Operations, Defense serves as ICAT’s senior operational authority within the defense vertical, aligning execution strategy with customer requirements, compliance standards, financial performance, and long-term growth objectives.\nEssential Duties and Responsibilities\nOperational Strategy & Execution Leadership\nLead the team managing daily operational activities supporting ICAT’s defense contracting and government logistics business vertical\nOversee execution of domestic and international defense-related shipments across all transportation modes\nDevelop and implement operational strategies, workflows, and SOPs to support scalable growth within the defense vertical\nCollaborate with leadership to establish short-term and long-term operational objectives aligned with company growth initiatives\nSupport operational readiness for expedited project cargo, hazardous materials, and specialized government freight requirements\nCustomer & Commercial Engagement\nPartner with sales and vertical leadership teams to support customer retention, business development, and account expansion efforts\nParticipate in customer calls, operational reviews, and strategic meetings with defense contractors and government-related customers\nAssist with development of pricing strategies, carrier selections, and operational solutions supporting government and defense opportunities\nSupport preparation and review of RFQs, RFPs, tenders, and operational capability responses related to defense logistics opportunities\nServe as a primary operational escalation point for high-priority, sensitive, or mission-critical shipments\nCarrier, Vendor & Partner Engagement\nMaintain strong working relationships with carriers, overseas agents, cartage providers, airlines, and strategic service partners\nWork closely with vendors and service providers to resolve service issues, negotiate solutions, and maintain operational continuity\nSupport negotiation of rates and vendor relationships to drive service quality and cost efficiency\nMonitor carrier and vendor performance, including reliability, cost control, service quality, and compliance\nRegulatory, Safety & Compliance\nMaintain awareness of government transportation requirements, defense industry expectations, and compliance considerations\nEnsure compliance with applicable transportation regulations, dangerous goods/hazmat requirements, and carrier operating standards\nAct as ICAT’s subject matter expert for defense-related operational processes and provide support to internal stakeholders as needed\nFinancial & Performance Management\nDrive operational efficiencies and identify opportunities to improve profitability, service quality, and execution consistency\nMonitor operational KPIs and report metrics related to service performance, customer satisfaction, profitability, and compliance\nContribute operational insight to budgeting, forecasting, and cost management within the defense vertical\nIdentify creative solutions for cost savings and margin improvement across the subvertical\nCross-Functional Leadership\nCollaborate with Procurement, Operations, Sales, Security, Compliance, and Technology teams\nSupport sales pursuits and key customer engagements requiring customized defense logistics solutions\nTranslate complex operational constraints into clear guidance for commercial and customer-facing teams\nEducate internal stakeholders on defense market dynamics, compliance requirements, and emerging opportunities\nTeam Leadership\nManage staff, including training on SOP changes and new processes, monitoring productivity, handling performance management and disciplinary issues that may arise\nOptimize operations, with a strong emphasis on operational excellence focusing on continuous improvement\nLead quarterly business reviews with staff: celebrate wins, address gaps, update SOPs\nLeverage technology (TMS, BI dashboards, RPA/BOT tools) to improve efficiency\nCapture lessons learned from service failures to update processes\nEnsure that the department meets operational KPIs and financial goals; including but not limited to: \nICAT invoicing and variance policies\nCreative solutions for cost savings and improving margins\nDeveloping and managing the department budget\nHiring, on-boarding, and training new team members\nLead team meetings, share the department vision and goals\nDevelop and implement opportunities for team growth and development\nBe a leader through actions, communication, and mentoring\nother duties, as assigned\nRequirements\nQualifications & Skill Requirements\nBachelor’s degree in Business Logistics, Operations Management or related field required, advanced degree preferred\n8+ years of experience in freight forwarding or transportation operations experience across multiple modes\n5+ years of leading others; Prior leadership role within a freight forwarder, 3PL, defense logistics provider, or government logistics environment\nPreferred qualifications and skills include:\nAdvanced understanding of international and domestic freight forwarding operations\nFunctional knowledge of government transportation requirements, compliance expectations, and defense logistics operations\nDangerous goods / hazmat knowledge preferred\nExperience managing operational escalations and high-priority shipments\nStrong knowledge of applicable transportation and trade regulatory frameworks\nProven experience managing carrier and vendor relationships\nProven commercial, financial, and analytical skills\nProven track record of building relationships and gaining credibility with customers and vendors\nExperience with expedited, project cargo, or time-critical logistics\nIntermediate skills with Microsoft Office products\nKey Competencies\nProven ability to lead, mentor, and share knowledge with team members\nFosters accountability and commitment from the team to achieve department goals \nAbility to plan and effectively set priorities for implementation \nProven analytic and problem-solving skills in a time-sensitive, logistics environment\nExcels at meeting deadlines and demonstrates superior time management skills\nNatural ability to multi-task in a fast-paced work setting with a strong attention to detail \nSuperior communication skills and an ability to motivate people with an emphasis on listening skills\nAbility to relate to and successfully interact across a variety of settings and work well with a broad and diverse workforce throughout the organization\nDemonstrates ability to work in a client-centric setting \nAbility to be flexible as priorities shift \nConsistent in follow-up and follow-through\nHighly motivated team player with an outgoing and positive work attitude\nCredible with a high level of personal integrity\nAdaptive to ICAT’s core values \nPhysical Demands and Work Environment:\nMost work is performed indoors in an office setting\nFlexible approach to work, due to clients’ needs and project support requirements\nRegularly use hands to type, handle, or feel\nRequired to use close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception and can focus\nMust have clear, easy to understand oral communication ability\nAbility to push, pull, lift, carry, or maneuver weights up to 20 pounds\nAbility to sit for prolonged periods. May occasionally need to stoop, climb, or squat\nSupervisory Responsibilities: Yes\nDirect supervision and accountability of staff\nSupport team in setting and achieving goals and performance objectives\nCoach and mentor team members\nIdentify department training requirements and conduct training, as needed\nHold regular individual 1x1 and team meetings\nClearly communicate department and individual initiatives/goals\nDevelop, monitor, and review regularly metrics and goals with team members\nConduct performance appraisals; provide rewards and execute disciplinary actions/workplace solutions for department staff\nAccountable for recruiting and hiring process for new hire requirements\nMaintain an environment that allows the team to be part of ICAT’s overarching goals and mission\nTravel: Yes, up to 30%\nSalary Range: $146,816 - $172,725\nJoin Our Team\nIf you’re ready to take the next step in your career with a company that values your dedication and contributions, we encourage you to apply.\nLearn more about our available opportunities by visiting https://icatlogistics.com\nWe are not accepting inquiries from recruitment agencies or third-party vendors for this position. Unsolicited outreach will not be considered.\nSalary Description\n$146,816 - $172,725\nNotice of AI Use in Job Application Review\nAs part of our commitment in creating a fair, efficient, and consistent hiring process we may use artificial intelligence (AI) to help our recruiting teams organize, summarize, and analyze information provided by candidates, including resumes, application responses, and other materials submitted during the application process.AI may be used to identify patterns, highlight relevant skills, and experience, and assist in comparing a candidate’s qualifications with the requirement of a specific role. These tools are to improve efficiency and consistency while supporting more informed hiring decisions, which will ultimately be made by the hiring team.","description_format":"text","description_chars":9797,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":8,"management_years_min":5,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"bachelor","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Logistics","Courier Services"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-12T06:31:30Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":86,"band":"hot","label":"Hiring now","p_open":1,"p_active":0.86,"p_room":1,"age_days":2,"expected_fill_days":15,"reasons":["conf:1","win:early"],"computed_at":"2026-11-12T07:44:41Z"},"pay":{"stated_usd_annual":172725,"is_top_pay":true},"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/icat-logistics-director-operations-defense","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/icat-logistics-director-operations-defense.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-12T07:44:41Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":15530,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-13T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":3854180},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=3854180"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Ficat-logistics-director-operations-defense"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":2,"usd":0.2},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Ficat-logistics-director-operations-defense"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Ficat-logistics-director-operations-defense"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/icat-logistics-director-operations-defense\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Ficat-logistics-director-operations-defense"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":4144419}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"icatlogistics.com","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":4144419},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. Docs: https://alion.io/developers"}}