Keller Executive Search International

Director of Operations – Heavy Haul

Keller Executive Search International

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Remote

Location: United States

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Salary

💰 $150,000 - $250,000 per year

Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, operational efficiency, and profitability
  • Oversee day-to-day operations, including scheduling, route planning, load planning, and resource deployment
  • Create and implement a U.S. operational strategy aligned with broader company growth plans
  • Lead engineering and design oversight for multi-axle setups, axle loading, and abnormal load stability
  • Ensure compliance with federal and multi-state transport requirements, including permits, bridge laws, DOT rules, and escorts
  • Direct complex, high-risk moves involving transformers, E-Houses, pressure vessels, and other oversized loads
  • Develop KPIs, reporting structures, and accountability measures
  • Build, recruit, and lead a high-performing team across drivers, project managers, dispatchers, and safety personnel
  • Coach field leaders and managers while promoting a culture rooted in safety, excellence, and integrity
  • Provide senior leadership with regular operational updates and reporting
  • Partner cross-functionally with engineering, sales, and project teams to scope and deliver specialized transport work
  • Serve as the key operational contact for clients, brokers, and vendors
  • Monitor and uphold compliance with permits, legal requirements, and internal policies
  • Ensure all drivers and crews remain compliant with OSHA, DOT, and internal safety expectations
  • Promote a zero-incident safety culture throughout U.S. operations
  • Improve cost efficiency while maintaining service levels and safety standards
  • Monitor margins, cost per move, and operating performance metrics
  • Develop and manage operating budgets across labor, equipment, permits, and subcontractor spend

Requirements

  • Strong engineering knowledge related to multi-axle trailers, bridge law compliance, axle load distribution, and abnormal load behavior
  • Demonstrated success leading and building teams from the ground up
  • Proven experience managing multi-state U.S. operations, including routing, permitting, and DOT/FMCSA compliance
  • Ability to pass a comprehensive background check
  • Exceptional leadership capability and sound decision-making in high-pressure environments
  • Established credibility with drivers, rigging crews, and field operations personnel
  • 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in heavy haul, specialized transport, or complex logistics environments
  • Strong commercial and financial acumen, including budgeting, cost modeling, and margin analysis
  • Experience with transport frame design, center-of-gravity modelling, and load securement engineering
  • Valid passport and willingness to travel approximately 25-50% across the U.S.
  • Deep knowledge of oversize/overweight permitting requirements across U.S. states, including superload thresholds
  • Familiarity with Safety Management System (SMS) design in a heavy haul environment (preferred)
  • Experience working with TMS platforms such as McLeod or TransPlus, along with maintenance systems such as Cetaris or Samsara (preferred)
  • Proficiency with financial analytics tools, including advanced Excel and QuickBooks (preferred)
  • Experience supporting EPC contractor partnerships and project cargo logistics (preferred)
  • Familiarity with heavy haul routing and simulation tools such as AutoTURN, CAD, and swept path analysis (preferred)
  • Experience arranging insurance programs for U.S. transport operations (preferred)
  • Knowledge of cross-border compliance, including CBP, ACI/ACE, and customs broker coordination (preferred)
Benefits
  • Base Salary: $150,000–$250,000
  • Variable Incentive: Performance-based bonus
  • Paid Time Off: 10–15 days to start
  • Full benefits package (details provided to shortlisted candidates)
  • Career Growth: Clear pathway to expanded multi-location leadership as the U.S. operation scales
  • Equal Employment Opportunity and Non-Discrimination Policy
  • Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are Equal Opportunity Employers. For all positions, whether with Keller Executive Search or our clients, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.
  • Commitment to Diversity: Keller Executive Search and its clients are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment where all individuals are valued and respected.
  • Reasonable Accommodations: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities and pregnant individuals. We engage in an interactive process to determine effective, reasonable accommodations.
  • Compensation Information: For client positions, compensation information is available in the job post. If not provided, it will be shared during the interview process in accordance with applicable laws. When required by law, salary ranges will be included in job postings. Actual salary may depend on skills, experience, and comparison to current employees in similar roles. Salary ranges may vary based on role and location.
  • Compliance with Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all employment terms and conditions, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
  • Workplace Harassment: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients expressly prohibit any form of workplace harassment based on race, skin color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.
  • E-Verify Participation: Keller Executive Search and/or our clients may participate in E-Verify. Information about E-Verify participation will be provided during the application process where applicable.
  • Privacy and Pay Equity:
  • - California Residents: For more information about the categories of personal information we collect for recruiting and employment purposes, please review our Privacy Policy.
  • - Colorado, Nevada, New York City, California, and Washington Residents: Compensation information is available in the job post or will be provided during the interview process if not initially available.
  • - Both Keller Executive Search and our clients are committed to pay equity and conduct periodic pay equity analyses in accordance with applicable laws.
  • State-Specific Information:
  • - Rhode Island: We do not request or require salary history from applicants.
  • - Connecticut: We provide wage range information upon request or before discussing compensation.
  • - New Jersey: We do not inquire about salary history unless voluntarily disclosed.
  • Veteran Status: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients provide equal employment opportunities to veterans and comply with applicable state laws regarding veteran preference in employment. If you are a veteran, please inform us during the application process.
  • Genetic Information: In accordance with federal and state laws, both Keller Executive Search and our clients do not discriminate based on genetic information. We do not request or require genetic information from applicants or employees, except as permitted by law.
  • Local Laws: Both Keller Executive Search and our clients comply with all applicable local laws and ordinances regarding employment practices in the areas where we operate.
  • Keller Executive Search and our clients may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in the recruitment and candidate evaluation process. These tools are used exclusively to support human decision-making by helping to review and assess candidate qualifications and materials. AI is never used to automatically reject, disqualify, or make final hiring decisions about candidates. All AI-assisted evaluations are reviewed by experienced recruitment professionals, and all hiring decisions are made by qualified human recruiters. Our use of AI is designed to enhance fairness, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining our commitment to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination principles.
  • Note: This job posting may be for a position with Keller Executive Search or one of our clients. The specific employer will be identified during the application and interview process.
  • Employment laws and requirements may vary depending on the employer and location.
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
engineering knowledgemulti-axle trailersbridge law complianceaxle load distributionabnormal load behaviorroutingpermittingDOT compliancefinancial acumenload securement engineering
Soft Skills
leadershipdecision-makingteam buildingcommunicationcoachingoperational oversightcross-functional collaborationproblem-solvingsafety culture promotionaccountability
Certifications
valid passportOSHA compliance