General Manager of Transportation

Good Pay! Good Benefits! Good People!  Knife River is a PEOPLE-first company. Our team members are key to our success, and we are committed to giving them the tools, training, and time to do their jobs productively and go home safely each day. Please consider joining our growing team today!

At Knife River, we take care of our team because we know it’s our people who make us successful. We are one of the 10 largest construction materials producers/contractors in the Country. Our goal is to build strong teams that, in turn, build strong communities. We are also a publicly traded company on the NYSE with the ticker symbol KNF and part of the S&P MidCap 400 index.

This role provides overall leadership and direction for transportation operations across all product lines. Oversees activities to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective movement of products, including route planning, fleet management, budgeting, and technology implementation. Manages teams and logistics managers, reviews overall costs and P&L performance, and drives operational efficiency through collaboration and continuous improvement. Ensures strict compliance with FMCSA, state, and local regulations, including Hours of Service (HOS), safety standards, and hazardous materials (HazMat).

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS (minimum educational, experience, or other relevant job requirements)

1. A bachelor’s degree in construction management, business management, or a related field; equivalent work experience may be considered.
2. 10 years of experience in transportation, dispatching, or a closely related field.
3. 10 years of leadership experience managing teams and overseeing operations. 

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS (preferred requirements i.e. certifications, software use, etc.)

1. Experience with advanced Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and logistics technology platforms.
2. Understanding of JWS/Apex System, Command, HCSS Field Systems, Samsara, Fleetwatcher, Zello Communications

DUTIES AND/OR RESPONSIBILITIES (summary of components that make up the job)

1. Lead logistics and transportation operations, and teams across all product lines, ensuring safe, efficient, and cost‑effective movement of products.
2. Direct daily operations, including dispatching, routing, fleet availability, and on‑time performance, and resolve escalations to maintain service reliability.
3. Manage budgets and assist with direct P&L cost oversight; review cost drivers, variances, and ROI to guide decisions.
4. Establish and monitor KPIs (e.g., on‑time delivery, cost per mile/ton, utilization, safety incidents, claims) and implement improvement plans.
5. Ensure adherence to FMCSA, HOS, HazMat, DOT, and applicable state/local regulations; maintain auditable records and reporting.
6. Champion a safety‑first culture, conducting audits, training, and corrective actions to minimize incidents and claims.
7. Optimize routes and network design for cost, service, and capacity; oversee fleet lifecycle (specs, procurement, maintenance, replacement).
8. Implement, integrate, and continuously improve Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and related technologies.
9. Negotiate and manage third‑party relationships (carriers, brokers, maintenance providers, equipment lessors); review agreements for service, cost, and compliance.
10. Lead equipment needs assessments and procurement/lease negotiations aligned to demand and safety standards.
11. Manage and develop logistics managers, dispatch leaders, and teams; set goals, coach performance, and build bench strength.
12. Promote collaboration across product lines and functions (Sales, Operations, Finance, Safety, Compliance, IT, HR).
13. Partner with internal leaders and external agencies; represent the organization professionally in regulatory interactions and community engagement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITITES (types and extent of knowledge, skills or abilities an incumbent must possess to complete the job responsibilities satisfactorily)

1. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
2. Ability to maintain positive customer relations.
3. Commitment to safety culture and ability to champion safety initiatives.
4. Knowledge of regulatory compliance, safety standards and fiscal management.
5. Adapt to changing priorities and resolve issues in a fast-paced environment.
6. Proficient in MS Office (Excel, Word, Power Point).

NOTICE

Because of the nature of work at Knife River, the person in this position may be expected to work any shift and at various locations based on company needs and the duties of the position may change at any time and may not be identified in this job description.  The cont