Director of Cargo Operations - Aviation

Job Title: Director of Cargo Operations

Department: Cargo Operations

Reports To: Vice President of Operations

FLSA Status: Exempt

Classification: Full-Time, Salaried

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Cargo Operations is a senior executive leadership role responsible for providing strategic direction, operational oversight, and organizational accountability for all cargo operations across U.S. Aviation Services Corp. (USAS). This position serves as the enterprise-wide authority for mail, freight, international, military, and specialized commodity cargo services, ensuring consistent, compliant, and high-performance cargo delivery across all company locations and contractual commitments.

The Director of Cargo Operations is entrusted with the full lifecycle of cargo operations, from strategic planning and regulatory compliance to financial performance, workforce leadership, customer relationship management, and continuous improvement. This role serves as the primary liaison between cargo operations and executive leadership and commands the highest standards of professionalism, safety, and operational excellence.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

I. Strategic Operational Leadership

• Develop, implement, and execute enterprise-wide cargo operational strategies that align with corporate objectives, customer contractual commitments, and regulatory requirements to drive performance, profitability, operational stability, and sustainable growth.
• Establish and enforce standardized operating procedures, service delivery models, and performance benchmarks across all cargo locations, ensuring consistent application of best practices throughout the organization.
• Maintain comprehensive subject matter expertise across all cargo service lines including mail operations, freight handling, interline cargo, dangerous goods, COMAT, international cargo, and military contract cargo movements.
• Serve as the enterprise-level Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all cargo operations, providing authoritative guidance to station-level managers, corporate leadership, and external stakeholders on cargo regulatory matters, operational standards, and industry trends.
• Direct the development and execution of station-level financial and operational plans, adjusting strategies throughout the year to achieve corporate and local station goals.
• Lead and actively participate in the local and national aviation cargo community, advancing the company’s reputation as a premier cargo and mail handling organization.

II. Regulatory Compliance and Safety Governance

• Ensure full and continuous adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and directives governing cargo and aviation operations, including but not limited to:
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) – regulations pertaining to cargo aircraft operations, airworthiness, and safety.
• Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – Security Directives for cargo screening, sterile area access, and 100% security screening requirements.
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) – compliance requirements for international cargo, import/export controls, and secure area protocols.
• Department of Transportation (DOT) – regulations governing ground support equipment, hazardous materials transportation, and employee qualifications.
• United States Postal Service (USPS) – contractual, operational, and compliance requirements for all mail operations.
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – workplace safety standards, chemical handling, injury prevention, and hazard communication.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) – applicable agricultural inspection and compliance requirements.
• All applicable state, local, and airport authority rules, including site-specific security, safety, and operational requirements.
• Oversee all cargo audit and compliance programs including the Safety Management System (SMS), and ensure corrective action plans are developed, documented, and closed within required timeframes.
• Ensure 100% compliance with all security screening directives, ULD airworthiness standards, hazmat/dangerous goods training and handling, and mail scanning and delivery performance requirements.
• Promote a company-wide culture of safety, ensuring all employees and managers complete required regulatory training and maintain all applicable certifications and credentials.
• Oversee all incident investigations and regulatory reporting requirements in partnership with Human Resources and Senior Leadership, ensuring timely and accurate communication with regulatory agencies as required.
• Serve as the primary organizational interface with the FAA, DOT, TSA, USDA, CBP, OSHA, and airport authorities on all matters related to cargo regulatory compliance.

III. Financial and Resource Management

• Assume full profit and loss (P&L) accountability for all cargo operations across the company, including oversight of operating budgets, cost controls, and financial performance reporting.
• Develop, manage, and forecast annual and quarterly budgets in partnership with Finance, incorporating labor modeling, productivity assumptions, seasonal volume fluctuations, and contract-specific requirements.
• Meet operations financial objectives with particular focus on handling cost per pound or kilogram, ensuring financial targets are achieved without compromising safety, service quality, or regulatory compliance.
• Monitor and control labor costs including staffing levels, overtime authorization, and scheduling efficiency, ensuring compliance with applicable wage, hour, and labor standards.
• Review, approve, and manage operational expenditures in accordance with company policy, delegated authority levels, and client contract terms.
• Ensure effective utilization and lifecycle management of Ground Support Equipment (GSE), Unit Load Devices (ULDs), facilities, supplies, and materials to minimize waste and control capital and operating expenses.
• Analyze financial performance trends, variances, and key cost drivers and implement corrective actions to address underperformance or margin erosion at the station and enterprise level.
• Support pricing strategies, contract rebids, and renewals by providing operational cost inputs, labor assumptions, and financial risk assessments to executive leadership.
• Maintain accurate financial reporting and documentation, ensuring timely submission of forecasts, variance explanations, and operational metrics to the Vice President of Operations.

IV. Cargo Operations Management

• Oversee all aspects of mail operations including domestic mail, international mail, military mail, and mail freighter operations, ensuring performance against USPS contract requirements and internal service standards.
• Establish, communicate, and enforce service standards for all U.S. Aviation Services Corp. mail and cargo contracts, and develop measurable tools to monitor and ensure those standards are consistently met.
• Manage the ULD program, traffic management, and cargo IT platform (CMIS and related systems), ensuring rigorous, enforceable, and continuously improving service level agreements.
• Oversee operating systems, customer relationship management platforms, and cargo IT infrastructure, managing performance and directing change requests to enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and execute operating strategies that improve performance, reduce claims and losses, and enhance USAS’s reputation as a premier cargo and mail handler in the aviation industry.
• Maintain authorized staffing levels and operational schedules to maximize cargo throughput and performance at all locations.
• Ensure consistent and professional management of Other Airline (OAL) contracts, interline agreements, and third-party cargo vendor relationships.
• Manage GSE and facility assets across all cargo locations to ensure operational readiness, safety compliance, and cost efficiency.
• Oversee mail audit, claims and losses management, and compliance reporting, ensuring all findings are addressed promptly and preventative measures are implemented.
• Maintain and monitor all aspects of corporate compliance for cargo products, including all regulatory programs and specific import and export compliance standards.

V. Workforce Leadership and Talent Development

• Partner with Human Resources and Talent Acquisition to proactively recruit, onboard, and retain a high-performing cargo workforce across all company locations, ensuring staffing models align with operational demands and growth objectives.
• Establish clear leadership expectations, performance standards, and accountability frameworks for all cargo management personnel, reinforcing alignment with company values and service delivery commitments.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve structured training programs ensuring all cargo employees and managers are fully prepared to meet operational requirements, safety standards, regulatory mandates, and customer service expectations.
• Ensure all leadership and frontline cargo personnel complete required initial and recurrent training, certifications, and compliance requirements, and address gaps promptly to mitigate operational or regulatory risk.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, structured one-on-one meetings, and ongoing coaching with cargo management staff to assess effectiveness, reinforce competencies, and drive continuous improvement.
• Create and actively manage individual development plans for managers and supervisors to support succession planning, leadership readiness, and long-term career progression within the cargo division.
• Identify high-potential talent and provide targeted development opportunities, mentoring, and exposure to broader operational responsibilities to strengthen the cargo leadership pipeline.
• Maintain an Open-Door Policy to foster employee engagement, ensure employee concerns are heard and addressed, and promote a culture of transparency and respect.
• Address employee relations matters promptly, fairly, and in accordance with company policy and applicable employment laws, partnering closely with Human Resources to investigate concerns, implement corrective actions, and minimize organizational risk.
• Model ethical leadership, professionalism, and sound judgment, demonstrating a strong commitment to integrity, accountability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion in all interactions and decisions.

VI. Client Relationship Management and Customer Engagement

• Build, maintain, and strengthen strategic relationships with airline customers, government agencies (including USPS United Mail team), airport authorities, and regulatory bodies, serving as the senior operational point of contact for all cargo-related matters.
• Maintain a positive, proactive relationship with USPS and all mail contract stakeholders, supporting the development of strategies and programs aimed at increasing revenue while reducing exposure to penalties, fines, claims, and losses.
• Conduct regular site visits and formal meetings with customers within the assigned portfolio to review performance metrics, audit results, service levels, and contractual expectations.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational, service, and compliance concerns, ensuring swift issue resolution and clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead customer-facing responses to audit findings, service failures, and escalated complaints, including development and execution of corrective action plans with follow-up validation.
• Negotiate contracts with external vendors, government agencies, airport authorities, and airline partners as needed to support operational commitments and strategic objectives.
• Anticipate customer needs and operational changes, proactively aligning resources to ensure service continuity, scope expansion, and contract retention.
• Support business development by identifying opportunities for service enhancements, scope expansion, and value-added solutions within existing and prospective customer relationships.

VII. Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement

• Design and enforce a robust quality assurance program to verify and validate compliance with all customer requirements, industry standards, regulatory expectations, and internal performance benchmarks.
• Analyze operational data, KPIs, and performance metrics to identify trends, root causes, and opportunities for improvement across all cargo locations and service lines.
• Lead and sponsor process improvement initiatives, change management strategies, and technology adoption programs that drive measurable performance gains and cost efficiencies.
• Oversee the cargo IT platform and operational systems, directing continuous improvement in data accuracy, reporting capabilities, and operational visibility.
• Apply continuous improvement methodologies (including Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent frameworks) to drive standardization and eliminate operational waste.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management, Business Administration, Operations Management, or a closely related field required.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA), Aviation Management, or related discipline strongly preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 10–15 years of progressive operational leadership experience within the aviation cargo, mail handling, or aviation services industry, with a demonstrated record of success in overseeing multi-location, high-volume cargo operations.
• Minimum of 5 years of management experience with direct reports in a senior or director-level capacity within the aviation cargo or freight industry.
• 3–5 years of direct experience in mail operations, including USPS mail contracts, freight, interline cargo, dangerous goods handling, and the movement of specialized commodities required.
• Demonstrated experience managing regulatory compliance programs (FAA, TSA, CBP, DOT, OSHA, USPS) in an aviation operational environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing geographically dispersed teams and driving consistent performance across multiple airport locations.
• Proven experience in P&L management, budget development, and financial reporting within an aviation or logistics operational environment.
• Experience in relationship building, negotiation, and contract management with government agencies, airport authorities, airline partners, and commercial customers.

Licenses, Certifications, and Clearances

• Must be able to obtain and maintain all required security credentials, including but not limited to FAA, TSA, Airport Authority, and U.S. Customs (CBP) clearances.
• Successful completion of a thorough criminal history check is required for position credentialing and ongoing eligibility.
• Dangerous Goods (Hazmat) certification per IATA or DOT standards required or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• IATA certification or equivalent aviation industry training preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Technical and Regulatory Knowledge

• Expert-level understanding of FAA, TSA, CBP, OSHA, DOT, USPS, and USDA regulations applicable to aviation cargo operations and airport environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of cargo operations including mail operations, freight handling, ULD management, traffic management, dangerous goods, COMAT, import/export compliance, and security screening requirements.
• Familiarity with IATA Cargo Standards, Cargo Security Standards, and Cargo-IMP messaging preferred.
• Proficiency in cargo management information systems (CMIS) and related cargo IT platforms.

Leadership and Interpersonal Skills

• Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams of employees and managers across multiple airport locations simultaneously.
• Strong talent development instincts with proven ability to build leadership pipelines, mentor management teams, and create succession-ready organizations.
• Ability to engage frontline leaders and cargo employee populations with authenticity, professionalism, and operational credibility.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all hiring, development, and leadership practices.

Business and Analytical Skills

• Proven ability to balance competing operational priorities, adapt quickly to dynamic conditions, and maintain high performance standards in a demanding, time-sensitive aviation environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions under pressure.
• Strong financial acumen including P&L management, budget oversight, cost control, and financial variance analysis.
• Project management skills with experience driving large-scale operational or compliance initiatives to completion on time and within budget.
• Continuous improvement experience, including Lean, Six Sigma, or equivalent process improvement methodologies.

Communication Skills

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex technical procedures, safety regulations, governmental regulations, contractual documents, and financial data.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to draft executive reports, formal correspondence, policies, and operational procedures.
• Ability to deliver effective presentations and respond to inquiries from executive management, customers, regulatory agencies, and the general public with poise and authority.

Computer Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams) required.
• Experience with cargo management systems (CMIS or equivalent), HRIS systems, operations management software, and audit management platforms preferred.
• Experience with Google Workspace, Adobe Acrobat, and data analytics tools is a plus.

WORK REQUIREMENTS AND CONDITIONS

Schedule and Availability

• This is a senior leadership role that requires availability beyond standard business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays as operational needs demand. Reliable, punctual attendance is an essential function of this position.

Travel Requirements

• Frequent travel is required to support multi-site operational oversight, customer engagement, regulatory compliance visits, and executive-level meetings. Travel may range from 40–70% depending on business needs, location portfolio, and organizational priorities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Frequently required to walk, stand, talk, and hear in both office and operational cargo environments.
• Occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, or crouch during facility and ramp inspections.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and infrequently up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces and within active aircraft ramp and cargo areas around moving aircraft and equipment.

Work Environment

• Exposure to indoor and outdoor environments, including varying weather conditions and active airport operational areas.
• Exposure to moderate to loud noise levels consistent with airport and cargo ramp environments.
• Must comply with all airport security requirements, including obtaining and maintaining airport-issued SIDA (Security Identification Display Area) badges and all applicable security clearances at each operating location.

USAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. USAS provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. 

This commitment extends beyond compliance with equal opportunity laws; it is integral to creating an environment where individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives are respected and valued. USAS believes in the strength of our people, the ideas they contribute, and what we can accomplish together. 

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and all applicable laws, USAS will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities to enable them to perform essential job functions, unless such accommodations would result in undue hardship. USAS also provides reasonable accommodations as required under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) for limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.