Director, Transportation- Ocean Operations

Director, Transportation- Ocean Operations

Full time

1360 Dolwick Drive, Erlanger, KY, US 41018

We’ll send you to our application portal to get started. Save Saved About Gap Inc. At Gap Inc., we create culture as much as we create clothes. Our ambition is to become a high-performing house of iconic American brands that shape culture. Our portfolio—Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic, and Athleta—each brings a distinct point of view to how we show up in the world and serve our customers. Old Navy democratizes style with quality and value for all. Gap champions originality through essential pieces that celebrate individuality. Banana Republic is rooted in a spirit of discovery, creating modern pieces inspired by craftsmanship and travel. Athleta champions the Power of She through confidence, strength, and movement. We’re driven by a shared purpose: to bridge gaps—between people, perspectives, and possibilities—to create a better world. We’re building a team that performs at a high level—people who think boldly, take ownership, and turn ideas into impact. If you’re ready to learn fast and help shape what’s next, you’ll fit right in.

About the role

Reporting into the Head of Inbound & Franchise Operations, this role is responsible for leading day-to-day execution of Gap Inc.’s global ocean network beginning at vessel departure, including shipment movement, carrier coordination, destination port execution, and delivery into Gap Inc.’s global destination network.The Director, Ocean Operations leads a lean team and is accountable for delivering service, cost, and operational performance on a daily basis, ensuring product flows reliably through the network and issues are identified and resolved quickly. This role owns execution from vessel departure through destination port, terminal operations, and drayage planning and execution, ensuring efficient container recovery and flow to transload facilities or direct-to-DC delivery.This role is required to align closely and partner with upstream origin operations to ensure continuity from booking through vessel departure, including working through competing priorities and driving fact-based decisions across teams to maintain network flow. This role serves as a critical operating extension of network leadership, supporting carrier relations and performance, budget execution, and lane-level service outcomes, while translating broader strategy into consistent day-to-day results.The leader will work closely with cross-functional partners across Origin Operations, Franchise Operations, Domestic Transportation, Procurement, Finance, and Technology, ensuring aligned decision-making and execution across the end-to-end network.

What you'll do

• Plan and execute operational strategies across the supply chain functions to deliver service against micro and macro industry pressuresLead day-to-day execution of international ocean shipments from vessel departure through destination port and drayage delivery, ensuring product moves to planOversee shipment movement, exception management, and resolution of delays, disruptions, and service failures across the networkTake direct ownership of issues impacting service or flow, ensuring clear accountability through resolutionLead and develop a small team responsible for shipment tracking, coordination, and issue resolution, maintaining clear ownership of daily executionOwn day-to-day carrier performance across ocean trade lanes, holding partners accountable for service commitments including schedule reliability, capacity, and executionDrive carrier performance follow-up and escalation, resolving issues tied to rolled cargo, capacity constraints, and operational variabilityPartner with Procurement and Origin leadership to support carrier decisions, allocation, and performance managementOversee destination port and terminal execution, including container availability, dwell, and cargo velocity, ensuring efficient flow through port operationsOwn drayage planning and execution, ensuring timely container recovery and delivery to transload facilities or direct-to-DC locationsManage detention, demurrage, and port-related costs as core drivers of network performance and cost controlAnalyze performance at the lane, service, and port-pair level, identifying issues and driving routing, recovery, and service improvements, including improvements in transit time reliabilityManage execution against budget, balancing cost, service, and flow outcomes, and identifying opportunities for cost improvementLeverage dashboards and visibility tools to identify issues early, drive action, and improve milestone compliance and shipment visibilityMonitor ocean market conditions, including capacity shifts, congestion, and disruptions, and translate into clear operational actionsProactively communicate risk events across the network, providing clear signals to downstream operationsWork cross-functionally to maintain alignment from origin through downstream execution, ensuring consistent decision-making and flow across the networkADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSBased in Northern Kentucky (Cincinnati area) — in-office presence requiredRegular interaction with global partners across multiple time zonesTravel required to support port, carrier, and key partner relationships – as neededAbility to support non-traditional hours as operational performance requires

• Who you are

• 10+ years of experience in ocean transportation, international logistics, or freight operationsDeep expertise in ocean execution, including carrier operations, vessel schedules, port/terminal operations, and drayageProven experience managing carrier performance and driving service outcomes in a complex networkStrong understanding of global trade lanes, routing, and ocean network dynamicsExperience managing cost, service, and operational performance, with clear understanding of tradeoffsHighly analytical — comfortable working at the lane, shipment, and exception level to drive decisionsStrong bias for action — works issues directly and stays close to the workEffective working across teams and influencing peers to drive outcomesClear, direct communicator who can articulate issues, actions, and decisions without overcomplicationBenefits at Gap Inc. Merchandise discount for our brands: 50% off regular-priced merchandise at Old Navy, Gap, Banana Republic and Athleta, and 30% off at Outlet for all employees. One of the most competitive Paid Time Off plans in the industry.* Employees can take up to five “on the clock” hours each month to volunteer at a charity of their choice.* Extensive 401(k) plan with company matching for contributions up to four percent of an employee’s base pay.* Employee stock purchase plan.* Medical, dental, vision and life insurance.* See more of the benefits we offer. *For eligible employees Gap Inc. is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from harassment and discrimination. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, training and promoting qualified people of all backgrounds, and make all employment decisions without regard to any protected status. We have received numerous awards for our long-held commitment to equality and will continue to foster a diverse and inclusive environment of belonging. In 2022, we were recognized by Forbes as one of the World's Best Employers and one of the Best Employers for Diversity.

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• Location Get Directions San Francisco, home to our brands and people San Francisco has always been a hub for artistry and innovation—and for 55 years, it has inspired Gap Inc. as the home of our brands and people. Creativity is woven into our legacy, and we’re proud to continue supporting the local community that fuels it. Through our partnership with Nest and the Makers United SF program, we’re working to bridge opportunity gaps for local creatives, giving them a platform to showcase their work and thrive. With the right support and visibility, today’s makers could become the next generation of influential talent. Championing pathways to growth At Gap Inc., we believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build a brighter future, and we're proud to be recognized as an Employer of Choice by American Opportunity Index. As one of the largest employers of entry-level talent, we recognize the barriers underrepresented communities face. We're committed to bridging the opportunity gap by providing access to better jobs and creating pathways for growth, empowering our employees to contribute to our legacy—impacting not just retail and fashion, but also shaping culture. A day in the life with Zac Posen Step inside a day in the life at Gap Inc. HQ with Vogue and our Creative Director, Zac Posen. This behind-the-scenes gives a peak into a day at 2 Folsom including design