Import Manager, Destination Operations

Import Manager, Destination Operations

Your leadership experience, import logistics expertise, and ability to drive operational performance across complex transportation networks make you a great fit for our Import Manager – Destination Operations position. Join our dynamic team and play a key role in leading U.S. import operations, optimizing freight movement, managing logistics partners, and ensuring international shipments move efficiently and cost-effectively from U.S. ports and rail terminals through final delivery to our distribution centers.

About Your Role:

As an Import Manager – Destination Operations at Dollar Tree, you'll lead the day-to-day execution and performance of the company's U.S. import operations. You'll oversee the movement of international freight from U.S. ports and rail terminals through drayage, transload, and final delivery while partnering closely with logistics service providers, ocean carriers, internal transportation teams, distribution centers, Inventory Management, Merchandising, and other Supply Chain partners.

You'll use operational data, financial analysis, and key performance indicators to improve service, manage costs, optimize capacity, mitigate supply chain risks, and drive continuous improvement. You'll also lead and develop a team of Import Logistics Analysts, establishing clear expectations and accountability while supporting their continued growth and development.

Your day-to-day job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

Import Operations & Freight Management

• •Lead daily destination import operations to ensure the timely, efficient, and cost-effective movement of international freight from U.S. ports and rail terminals through transload, drayage, and final delivery to distribution centers.
• •Proactively identify and resolve operational issues affecting container dwell, transportation capacity, inventory flow, distribution center service, and overall supply chain performance.
• •Partner with internal stakeholders and logistics providers to develop volume forecasts, capacity plans, routing strategies, and contingency plans that support changing business requirements.
• •Collaborate with Inventory Management, Merchandising, Transportation, and other business partners to align logistics capacity with seasonal volume changes, promotional activity, product launches, and shipment forecasts.
• •Develop and maintain contingency plans for potential disruptions involving ports, railroads, carriers, capacity constraints, labor events, weather, and other supply chain risks.

Leadership & Team Development

• •Lead, coach, develop, and mentor a team of Import Logistics Analysts.
• •Establish clear performance expectations, operational priorities, accountability, and development plans for the team.
• •Build a culture focused on operational excellence, collaboration, continuous improvement, and measurable results.
• •Provide direction and support to ensure the team effectively manages operational exceptions and changing business priorities.

Carrier, Vendor & Capacity Management

• •Serve as a primary liaison between ocean carriers, drayage providers, transload operators, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), internal transportation teams, distribution centers, and other business partners.
• •Lead procurement activities, contract negotiations, and performance management for drayage carriers, transload providers, and other destination logistics partners.
• •Manage logistics service providers against contractual requirements and established service-level expectations.
• •Identify and implement corrective actions and improvement opportunities when vendor performance does not meet expectations.
• •Monitor transportation capacity and provider performance to ensure adequate support for current and forecasted import volumes.

Reporting, Analytics & Financial Management

• •Monitor and manage key performance indicators (KPIs), including container dwell, transit time, on-time performance, transportation costs, capacity utilization, vendor performance, and demurrage and detention exposure.
• •Develop reporting and data-driven insights to support leadership decisions related to routing optimization, freight spend, capacity planning, service performance, and vendor management.
• •Oversee freight payment and audit processes to ensure billing accuracy, appropriate cost allocation, timely payment, and identification of cost-recovery opportunities.
• •Compile, analyze, forecast, and present monthly transportation expenses and financial performance to senior leadership.
• •Identify key financial drivers, risks, cost-saving opportunities, and areas requiring corrective action.
• •Drive cost optimization initiatives across drayage, transload, storage, demurrage, detention, rail, and other destination transportation expenses while balancing service and capacity requirements.

Continuous Improvement & Risk Management

• •Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing container dwell and lead times, improving supply chain visibility, increasing operational efficiency, and strengthening service reliability.
• •Analyze operational data to identify trends, root causes, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• •Stay current on global and domestic logistics trends, regulatory developments, port and rail conditions, transportation market dynamics, and geopolitical events that could affect international freight movement.
• •Communicate operational risks, financial impacts, service issues, and recommended actions clearly and proactively to leadership and key business partners.
• •Lead cross-functional initiatives designed to strengthen import operations and overall supply chain performance.

Your Required Skills and Experience:

• •Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Finance, or a related field.
• •Four or more years of progressive experience in import operations, international logistics, transportation, or supply chain management.
• •Two to three or more years of leadership or supervisory experience, including responsibility for coaching, developing, and managing team performance.
• •Demonstrated ability to lead teams, establish performance expectations, drive accountability, and achieve measurable operational results.
• •Strong knowledge of international and domestic transportation networks, including ocean freight, ports, rail/intermodal, drayage, transload operations, and third-party logistics.
• •Experience managing logistics service providers, transportation contracts, procurement activities, and vendor performance.
• •Strong financial and analytical skills, including transportation cost analysis, forecasting, budgeting, invoice auditing, and identification of cost-saving opportunities.
• •Demonstrated ability to analyze operational data, identify trends and root causes, and translate findings into actionable business recommendations.
• •Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and effectively influence internal and external business partners.
• •Excellent communication, presentation, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• •Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• •Experience working with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), supply chain visibility platforms, reporting tools, and other logistics technologies.
• •Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• •Ability to proactively manage operational exceptions and make sound decisions when faced with time-sensitive challenges.

Preferred Requirements:

• •Retail, high-volume import, or large-scale distribution network experience.
• •Direct experience with ocean shipping, port and terminal operations, rail/intermodal transportation, drayage, transload operations, and domestic transportation.
• •Experience managing large import volumes across multiple U.S. ports, inland rail locations, t