This job is closed
Applications are no longer available for this announcement. Explore current related opportunities below.
Job description
Job Title: Director Transportation Operations Excellence
Job Location: Irving-USA-75039, Atlanta-USA-30344, Austin-USA-78719, Charlotte-USA-28219, Dallas-USA-75261, Denver-USA-80249, Des Plaines-USA-60016, Houston-USA-77032, Jamaica-USA-11430, Las Vegas-USA-89119, Los Angeles-USA-90045, Miami-USA-33142, Philadelphia-USA-19153, Phoenix-USA-85040, Sacramento-USA-95837, San Francisco-USA-94010, San Francisco-USA-94128, Seattle-USA-98188, Seattle-USA-98926
Work Location Type: Hybrid
About us
Since 1942, SkyChefs has taken culinary excellence to new heights. As a trusted partner to the nation’s leading airlines and retailers, we proudly deliver millions of meals and exceptional service experiences every year across 43 sites throughout the United States. Built on a legacy of operational excellence, culinary expertise, and continuous innovation, we are committed to setting the industry standard in aviation culinary, airline services, last-mile logistics, and retail commerce. From the kitchen to the runway, our teams work together to deliver quality, reliability, and service at every altitude. Our people are the heart of everything we do. At SkyChefs, a career is more than a job – it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make an impact in a fast-paced, team-driven environment. Join America’s first, foremost, and finest and take your career to new heights.
Role Purpose Statement
Shape the Future of Aviation Catering Operations Across North America
Are you a transportation, airline operations, or aviation services leader who thrives in fast-paced, operationally complex environments?
We are seeking a Director, Transportation Operations Excellence to lead the transformation, standardization, and optimization of transportation operations across our U.S. airline catering network. This newly created, high-visibility role will serve as the enterprise transportation expert, partnering with executive leadership and field operations teams to drive world-class performance, safety, reliability, and innovation.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a transportation leader with experience in airline catering, aircraft ground handling, airport operations, airline operations, or aviation logistics who wants to influence strategy and operational excellence at a national scale.
Why This Role Matters
Every day, thousands of flights depend on the seamless coordination of catering logistics, transportation execution, and airside operations. As the Director of Transportation Operations Excellence, you will play a critical leadership role in ensuring aircraft are serviced safely, efficiently, and on time across one of the industry's largest airline catering networks.
You will be responsible for defining transportation best practices, driving continuous improvement initiatives, developing future transportation leaders, and creating the operational standards that support our next phase of growth.
North America | Airline Catering & Aviation Operations Preferred Location: Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) | Up to 70% Domestic Travel
Main Accountabilities
Lead Transportation Strategy & Network Excellence
Serve as the North America transportation subject matter expert for airline catering transportation operations and airside logistics
Establish and implement transportation standards, operating procedures, and best practices across all locations
Partner with senior executives to shape transportation strategy, optimize performance, and support future growth initiatives
Benchmark performance against industry-leading aviation, logistics, and ground handling organizations
Drive Operational Performance
Champion network-wide transportation excellence, ensuring consistent execution of on-time departures (D0), safety, and service commitments
Identify opportunities to improve routing efficiencies, vehicle utilization, labor productivity, and operational reliability
Lead strategic initiatives focused on cost optimization, process standardization, and operational consistency
Develop contingency plans and response strategies for weather events, irregular operations (IROPs), and other critical disruptions
Leverage Data, Systems & Innovation
Own transportation performance reporting, KPI development, dashboards, and operational analytics
Serve as the transportation systems expert for tools such as Groundstar and Forms
Partner with Continuous Improvement and Technology teams to implement innovative solutions, automation initiatives, and predictive analytics
Use data-driven insights to influence decision-making and improve network performance
Influence Across the Organization
Collaborate with operations, culinary production, commercial teams, airport stakeholders, and customers to align transportation execution with business objectives
Support new station openings, operational expansions, and customer launches
Lead cross-functional problem-solving efforts and serve as the escalation point for complex transportation challenges
Build Transportation Leadership Capability
Mentor and develop transportation directors and managers across the network
Lead onboarding and training programs for newly hired transportation leaders
Foster a culture centered on safety, accountability, customer service, operational excellence, and continuous improvement
Help create the next generation of transportation leadership within the organization
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Required Experience
Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Logistics, Aviation Management, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience will be considered
8+ years of progressive leadership experience in: Airline Catering Transportation
Aircraft Ground Handling Services
Airport Operations
Airline Operations
Aviation Logistics
Transportation Network Operations
Experience leading multi-site, regional, or network-level operations
Strong knowledge of airside operations, airport environments, and aviation safety requirements
Proven success driving operational excellence, process improvement, and cost optimization initiatives
Experience utilizing operational systems, analytics, and performance dashboards
Ability to travel up to 70% domestically
Preferred Qualifications
Experience supporting large-scale aviation or transportation networks
Lean, Six Sigma, Continuous Improvement, or Operational Excellence experience
Demonstrated success leading organizational change and standardization initiatives
Based in or willing to relocate to the Dallas-Fort Worth area
SkyChefs is an EEO and Affirmative Action Employer of Women/Minorities/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities.
Worksite address
irving, TX, 75038, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.