Director, Physical Operations - Transportation
Universal Music Group, New York, New York, us, 10261
We are UMG, the Universal Music Group. We are the world's leading music company. In everything we do, we are committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship. We own and operate a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content in more than 60 countries. We identify and develop recording artists and songwriters, and we produce, distribute and promote the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music to delight and entertain fans around the world.
Virgin Music Group (VMG) is the world's leading partner to independent labels and artists, delivering a modern, global services platform across distribution, marketing, analytics, and physical commerce. With teams in 30+ countries, VMG supports artists and entrepreneurs with flexible, data-driven solutions that scale globally.
Our Global Physical Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics team manages the end-to-end lifecycle of physical music products - from forecasting and manufacturing through global distribution - ensuring products reach fans on time, at the right cost, and at the highest quality.
The
Director, Physical Operations - Transportation
is a senior operational leader responsible for managing and optimizing VMG's global transportation and customs operations across sea, air, and road freight.
This role serves as the central authority for transportation execution, carrier strategy, and customs compliance, ensuring finished goods and materials move efficiently through a complex international logistics network. You will balance speed, cost, service levels, and risk while supporting time-sensitive release schedules and evolving business demands.
How We LEAD
We plan ahead and execute with urgency
We operate as one team across functions and regions
We address challenges early and decisively
We stay artist-first while building scalable systems
How You'll CREATE
Global Transportation Management
Manage day-to-day global transportation operations across sea, air, and road freight
Oversee inbound, outbound, and inter-facility movements supporting manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution
Ensure transportation execution aligns with release timelines, service commitments, and business priorities
Carrier Strategy, Rates & Performance
Prepare, analyze, and lead rate negotiations, tenders, and carrier selection processes
Establish and manage service-level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs)
Monitor carrier performance, address service gaps, and drive continuous improvement
Customs & Trade Compliance
Manage customs clearance processes and broker relationships across the US, UK, and EU
Ensure compliance (import/export regulations), documentation requirements, and trade policies
Serve as the primary escalation point for customs-related delays, audits, or exceptions
Cost Control & Financial Oversight
Control and optimize transportation costs, duties, and taxes across regions and modes
Partner closely with Finance to ensure accurate cost forecasting, accruals, and variance analysis
Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising service or reliability
Issue Resolution & Escalation Management
A hands-on approach to resolving shipment delays, disruptions, and customs issues as they arise
Proactively manage exceptions, prioritizing high-impact or time-sensitive releases
Communicate risks, delays, and resolutions clearly to internal stakeholders
Cross-Functional Leadership
Act as the primary transportation and customs subject matter expert (SME) for the wider business
Collaborate closely with Production, Warehousing & Inventory Management, Finance, Sales, and Physical Operations teams
Ensure transportation strategies and execution remain aligned across functions and regions
Bring Your Vibe
At VMG, physical products are a critical part of the artist and fan experience. This role plays a key part in ensuring our releases move reliably through the global supply chain - turning creativity into physical products that arrive on time, worldwide.
You are a hands-on logistics leader who thrives in fast-moving, high-stakes environments. You bring operational rigor, commercial acumen, and a calm, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving. You're comfortable being in the details when needed, while also thinking strategically about how transportation supports scale and growth.
Proven experience leading global transportation and logistics operations
Strong hands-on knowledge of ocean, air, and road freight
Deep understanding of customs clearance processes & broker management in the US, UK, and EU
Experience negotiating rates, managing SLAs, and controlling transportation-related costs
Ability to manage complexity, prioritize effectively, and resolve issues under tight deadlines
Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills
Perks Playlist:
Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren't just values-they're how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services
Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants
Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
401(k) with 100% immediate vesting
on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution
A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:
Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees
3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees
2-weeks paid Winter Break
10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)
Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent
Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.
Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.
Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.
For more information, please click on the following links.
E-Verify Participation Poster:
English / Spanish
E-Verify Right to Work Poster:
English
|
Spanish
Job Category: eCommerce
Salary Range: $99,000 - $217,690
The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. All candidates are encouraged to apply.
Virgin Music Group (VMG) is the world's leading partner to independent labels and artists, delivering a modern, global services platform across distribution, marketing, analytics, and physical commerce. With teams in 30+ countries, VMG supports artists and entrepreneurs with flexible, data-driven solutions that scale globally.
Our Global Physical Procurement, Supply Chain & Logistics team manages the end-to-end lifecycle of physical music products - from forecasting and manufacturing through global distribution - ensuring products reach fans on time, at the right cost, and at the highest quality.
The
Director, Physical Operations - Transportation
is a senior operational leader responsible for managing and optimizing VMG's global transportation and customs operations across sea, air, and road freight.
This role serves as the central authority for transportation execution, carrier strategy, and customs compliance, ensuring finished goods and materials move efficiently through a complex international logistics network. You will balance speed, cost, service levels, and risk while supporting time-sensitive release schedules and evolving business demands.
How We LEAD
We plan ahead and execute with urgency
We operate as one team across functions and regions
We address challenges early and decisively
We stay artist-first while building scalable systems
How You'll CREATE
Global Transportation Management
Manage day-to-day global transportation operations across sea, air, and road freight
Oversee inbound, outbound, and inter-facility movements supporting manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution
Ensure transportation execution aligns with release timelines, service commitments, and business priorities
Carrier Strategy, Rates & Performance
Prepare, analyze, and lead rate negotiations, tenders, and carrier selection processes
Establish and manage service-level agreements (SLAs) and key performance indicators (KPIs)
Monitor carrier performance, address service gaps, and drive continuous improvement
Customs & Trade Compliance
Manage customs clearance processes and broker relationships across the US, UK, and EU
Ensure compliance (import/export regulations), documentation requirements, and trade policies
Serve as the primary escalation point for customs-related delays, audits, or exceptions
Cost Control & Financial Oversight
Control and optimize transportation costs, duties, and taxes across regions and modes
Partner closely with Finance to ensure accurate cost forecasting, accruals, and variance analysis
Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising service or reliability
Issue Resolution & Escalation Management
A hands-on approach to resolving shipment delays, disruptions, and customs issues as they arise
Proactively manage exceptions, prioritizing high-impact or time-sensitive releases
Communicate risks, delays, and resolutions clearly to internal stakeholders
Cross-Functional Leadership
Act as the primary transportation and customs subject matter expert (SME) for the wider business
Collaborate closely with Production, Warehousing & Inventory Management, Finance, Sales, and Physical Operations teams
Ensure transportation strategies and execution remain aligned across functions and regions
Bring Your Vibe
At VMG, physical products are a critical part of the artist and fan experience. This role plays a key part in ensuring our releases move reliably through the global supply chain - turning creativity into physical products that arrive on time, worldwide.
You are a hands-on logistics leader who thrives in fast-moving, high-stakes environments. You bring operational rigor, commercial acumen, and a calm, solutions-oriented approach to problem-solving. You're comfortable being in the details when needed, while also thinking strategically about how transportation supports scale and growth.
Proven experience leading global transportation and logistics operations
Strong hands-on knowledge of ocean, air, and road freight
Deep understanding of customs clearance processes & broker management in the US, UK, and EU
Experience negotiating rates, managing SLAs, and controlling transportation-related costs
Ability to manage complexity, prioritize effectively, and resolve issues under tight deadlines
Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder management skills
Perks Playlist:
Join an entrepreneurial, global organization where authenticity, boldness, creativity, connection, drive, and insight aren't just values-they're how we work every day. Here are some of the ways we support you along the way (and just a few of the benefits we offer):
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
Including 100% coverage for out-patient in-network mental health services
Fertility coverage for eligible medical plan participants
Wellbeing reimbursements for fitness classes, spa treatments, meal services, travel, and so much more (up to $720/year)
Student Loan Repayment Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
401(k) with 100% immediate vesting
on the first 5% of your contributions, plus an additional UMG contribution
A variety of ways to prioritize much-needed time away from work including:
Flexible Paid Time Off (PTO) for exempt employees
3-weeks PTO for non-exempt employees
2-weeks paid Winter Break
10 Company Holidays (including Juneteenth and Wellbeing Day)
Summer Fridays (between Memorial Day and Labor Day)
Generous paid parental leave for every type of parent
Check out our full overview of benefits on the Perks Playlist page of the career site.
Disclaimer: This job description only provides an overview of job responsibilities that are subject to change.
Universal Music Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an E-Verify employer in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Utah.
For more information, please click on the following links.
E-Verify Participation Poster:
English / Spanish
E-Verify Right to Work Poster:
English
|
Spanish
Job Category: eCommerce
Salary Range: $99,000 - $217,690
The actual base salary offered depends on a variety of factors, which may include, as applicable, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. All candidates are encouraged to apply.