Global Transportation Lead

About Wing: 

Wing offers drone delivery as a safe, fast, and sustainable solution for last mile logistics. Consumer appetites for on-demand services are increasing, but current delivery methods are inefficient, costly, and contribute to road accidents and air pollution. Wing’s fleet of highly automated delivery drones can transport small packages directly from businesses to homes on-demand, in minutes. We design, build, and operate our aircraft, and offer drone delivery services on two continents. Our technology is designed to be easy to integrate into existing delivery and logistics networks, offering a scalable drone delivery solution for a broad range of businesses. Wing is a part of Google's parent company, Alphabet, and our mission is to create the preferred means of delivery for the planet. If you're ready to do the greatest work of your life, come join us.

About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Global Transportation Lead to join our Forward Logistics team to set the long-term strategy and direct all operational aspects of global transportation for Wing. This role is hybrid based in Palo Alto, CA. This leadership role is critical to ensuring the scalable, cost-effective, and compliant movement of goods globally to support a rapid growth trajectory. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in global logistics, strategic capacity planning, and a proven ability to manage carrier relationships and geographically dispersed teams.

What You’ll Do: 

• Lead, mentor, and direct a global team including Regional Logistics Managers, Associates, and third-party service providers.
• Lead the development of the global transportation network strategy, including mode optimization (air, ocean, road) and carrier capacity planning to support the organization’s rapid growth forecast.
• Develop and implement transportation strategies to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service levels.
• Design and execute an annual freight procurement strategy (RFPs) for all regions, ensuring optimal pricing and service continuity.
• Manage daily transportation operations, including inbound and outbound freight, domestic and international shipping, and carrier selection.
• Negotiate and maintain strong relationships with third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and freight carriers.
• Drive standardization of all transportation processes and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across global regions (APAC, EU, NA) to ensure operational consistency and compliance.
• Partner closely with departmental peers to define key performance indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for 3PLs and carriers.
• Collaborate with the trade compliance to ensure all transportation processes are fully compliant with international trade regulations, customs brokerage requirements, HTS classification, and Rules of Origin (ROO) analysis.
• Analyze transportation data to identify trends, measure performance, and drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute service contingencies and risk mitigation strategies for the entire global transportation network.
• Develop and manage the global transportation P&L, monitoring freight spend, accessorial charges, and customs duties.
• Analyze complex data and prepare executive-level reports and financial forecasts on freight performance, cost savings, and budget variances.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including manufacturing, engineering, fleet, operations, and sourcing, to align transportation activities with overall business goals.

What You’ll Need: 

• 12+ years of progressive experience in global transportation, logistics, or supply chain management.
• 5+ years of proven experience directly managing managers/supervisors or managing a geographically dispersed/global team.
• Certification in logistics or supply chain management (e.g., APICS, CSCMP).
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a directly related field or equivalent practical experience
• Experience with international shipping and customs is required.
• Deep knowledge of end-to-end logistics operations across all modes, including maritime, air freight, over-the-road, and rail.
• In-depth knowledge of freight forwarding and carrier contracts.
• Expert proficiency with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) configuration, optimization, and implementation.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with relevant transportation regulations an