Director of Operations - Heavy Haul #0209
2 days ago
Houston
Job Description Our client, a respected and long-established player in specialized and heavy haul transport, is growing its footprint in the U.S. and is seeking a senior operations leader to help drive that expansion. This is a unique opportunity to build and shape the function rather than inherit a fully established structure. Reporting to the President, this individual will lead the full U.S. operational portfolio, including execution, strategy, compliance, team development, and financial results. The role is suited to a hands-on, credible leader with strong experience in complex, high-stakes operating environments who is motivated by ownership and the opportunity to make a lasting impact. The business is experiencing strong momentum, supported by robust demand in the U.S. market. Our client offers a family-oriented environment, values work/life balance, and can offer broader multi-site leadership opportunities over time for the right person. Responsibilities Operational Leadership • 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, • 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, • Develop KPIs, reporting structures, and accountability measures, • Build, recruit, and lead a high-performing team across drivers, project managers, dispatchers, and safety personnel, • 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, • 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, • Improve cost efficiency while maintaining service levels and safety standards, • Monitor margins, cost per move, and operating performance metrics, • 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 thresholdsPreferred, • Familiarity with Safety Management System (SMS) design in a heavy haul environment, • Experience working with TMS platforms such as McLeod or TransPlus, along with maintenance systems such as Cetaris or Samsara, • Proficiency with financial analytics tools, including advanced Excel and QuickBooks, • Experience supporting EPC contractor partnerships and project cargo logistics, • Familiarity with heavy haul routing and simulation tools such as AutoTURN, CAD, and swept path analysis, • Experience arranging insurance programs for U.S. transport operations 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. 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