Director Strategic Carrier Partnerships
Crane Worldwide Logistics, Houston, TX, United States
IAH6 USA Houston TX
1500 Rankin Rd
Houston, TX 77073, USA
Identify, qualify, and onboard strategic national and regional carriers aligned with Crane Solutions’ risk, service, and pricing strategy
Own executive‑level relationships with carrier leadership (operations, security, pricing, sales, and executive sponsors)
Negotiate enterprise frameworks covering security standards, HVHR protocols, escalation authority, service levels, and commercial rate structures
Serve as the escalation point for carrier‑level systemic issues impacting multiple regions, programs, or pricing commitments
Carrier Procurement & Pricing Strategy
Develop and maintain enterprise carrier rate frameworks that support brokerage, managed transportation, and HVHR programs
Partner with Sales, Solutions, and Pricing teams to ensure carrier pricing enables competitive bids and new customer wins
Secure committed or semi‑committed pricing with national and regional carriers for core lanes, programs, and surge scenarios
Reduce reliance on volatile spot markets by expanding strategic carrier participation
Support RFQs, new customer pursuits, and expansions with pre‑negotiated carrier pricing strategies
HVHR & Secure Transportation Enablement
Ensure strategic carriers meet or exceed Crane Solutions HVHR security, compliance, and tracking standards
Partner with Security, Compliance, and Operations leadership to continuously improve carrier risk posture without eroding pricing discipline
Lead carrier readiness reviews for high‑risk programs and sensitive customers
Remove, restrict, or reprice carriers when risk thresholds or performance standards are breached
Evaluates and ensures carrier performance including, but not limited to, SLA adherence, tender acceptance, KPIs, safety and security
Establish carrier scorecards and executive business reviews (QBRs) covering service, security, and pricing performance
Track performance trends, near misses, pricing adherence, and systemic rise indicators
Provide leadership with data‑driven insights on carrier selection, promotion, restriction, removal, or renegotiation
Maintains database of strategic carrier partners
Internal Alignment
Partner with Carrier Sales, Operations, Security, Pricing, and Client Development to align execution with carrier strategy
Ensure new customer pursuits and RFQs are supported by viable, pre‑qualified carrier and pricing strategies
Other duties as assigned
Other Skills & Abilities
Quality management-look for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
High degree of organizational skills
Demonstrates effective negotiation and closing techniques
Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Works well in a team environment
Physical Requirements
Talking, hearing and using hands to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other computer components
Sitting for extended periods of time
Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus
Job will require punctual attendance and regular presence on‑site at the assigned work location
Walking within the warehouse and inspecting freight
Education & Experience
10+ years of experience in transportation, carrier management, logistics strategy, or carrier procurement
Demonstrated experience negotiating enterprise‑level carrier pricing with national/regional asset‑based carriers
Deep understanding of truckload operations, carrier economics, and HVHR risk dynamics
Proven ability to operate at executive and enterprise levels
Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship‑building skills
High school diploma or GED/Bachelor’s degree preferred
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
Professional certification may be required in some areas.
WHY SHOULD YOU WORK FOR CRANE? At Crane, we believe in providing our employees with excellent benefits at a Great Place to Work.
We offer:
Quarterly Incentive Plan
136 hours of Paid Time Off which equals 17 days for the year, that can be used for Sick Time or for Personal Use
Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
Tuition Reimbursement for education related to your job
Employee Recognition and Rewards Program
Paid Volunteer Time to support a cause that is close to your heart and contributes to our communities
Employee Discounts
Wellness Incentives that can go up to $100 per year for completing challenges, in addition to a discount on contribution rates
Come join the leader in logistics and take your career in the right direction.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.
This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E‑Verify Check.
Company benefits are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and plan conditions.
Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Identify, qualify, and onboard strategic national and regional carriers aligned with Crane Solutions’ risk, service, and pricing strategy
Own executive‑level relationships with carrier leadership (operations, security, pricing, sales, and executive sponsors)
Negotiate enterprise frameworks covering security standards, HVHR protocols, escalation authority, service levels, and commercial rate structures
Serve as the escalation point for carrier‑level systemic issues impacting multiple regions, programs, or pricing commitments
Carrier Procurement & Pricing Strategy
Develop and maintain enterprise carrier rate frameworks that support brokerage, managed transportation, and HVHR programs
Partner with Sales, Solutions, and Pricing teams to ensure carrier pricing enables competitive bids and new customer wins
Secure committed or semi‑committed pricing with national and regional carriers for core lanes, programs, and surge scenarios
Reduce reliance on volatile spot markets by expanding strategic carrier participation
Support RFQs, new customer pursuits, and expansions with pre‑negotiated carrier pricing strategies
HVHR & Secure Transportation Enablement
Ensure strategic carriers meet or exceed Crane Solutions HVHR security, compliance, and tracking standards
Partner with Security, Compliance, and Operations leadership to continuously improve carrier risk posture without eroding pricing discipline
Lead carrier readiness reviews for high‑risk programs and sensitive customers
Remove, restrict, or reprice carriers when risk thresholds or performance standards are breached
Evaluates and ensures carrier performance including, but not limited to, SLA adherence, tender acceptance, KPIs, safety and security
Establish carrier scorecards and executive business reviews (QBRs) covering service, security, and pricing performance
Track performance trends, near misses, pricing adherence, and systemic rise indicators
Provide leadership with data‑driven insights on carrier selection, promotion, restriction, removal, or renegotiation
Maintains database of strategic carrier partners
Internal Alignment
Partner with Carrier Sales, Operations, Security, Pricing, and Client Development to align execution with carrier strategy
Ensure new customer pursuits and RFQs are supported by viable, pre‑qualified carrier and pricing strategies
Other duties as assigned
Other Skills & Abilities
Quality management-look for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
High degree of organizational skills
Demonstrates effective negotiation and closing techniques
Excellent organizational and problem‑solving skills
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Works well in a team environment
Physical Requirements
Talking, hearing and using hands to operate a computer keyboard, mouse and other computer components
Sitting for extended periods of time
Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus
Job will require punctual attendance and regular presence on‑site at the assigned work location
Walking within the warehouse and inspecting freight
Education & Experience
10+ years of experience in transportation, carrier management, logistics strategy, or carrier procurement
Demonstrated experience negotiating enterprise‑level carrier pricing with national/regional asset‑based carriers
Deep understanding of truckload operations, carrier economics, and HVHR risk dynamics
Proven ability to operate at executive and enterprise levels
Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship‑building skills
High school diploma or GED/Bachelor’s degree preferred
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES
Professional certification may be required in some areas.
WHY SHOULD YOU WORK FOR CRANE? At Crane, we believe in providing our employees with excellent benefits at a Great Place to Work.
We offer:
Quarterly Incentive Plan
136 hours of Paid Time Off which equals 17 days for the year, that can be used for Sick Time or for Personal Use
Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
Tuition Reimbursement for education related to your job
Employee Recognition and Rewards Program
Paid Volunteer Time to support a cause that is close to your heart and contributes to our communities
Employee Discounts
Wellness Incentives that can go up to $100 per year for completing challenges, in addition to a discount on contribution rates
Come join the leader in logistics and take your career in the right direction.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.
This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E‑Verify Check.
Company benefits are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and plan conditions.
Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
#J-18808-Ljbffr