Transportchef

Transportchef is a term used primarily in German-speaking logistics contexts to denote the person responsible for the strategy, planning and performance of a company's transportation operations. It corresponds to English equivalents such as head of transportation or director of transport. The role is typically found in industries with complex supply chains, including manufacturing, retail, logistics providers and public sector transport agencies, and may be a formal title or a regional designation.

Responsibilities commonly include developing transport strategies and policies, selecting and contracting carriers, managing freight costs and payment processes, overseeing fleet operations, and optimizing routes and transportation modes. The transport chief coordinates cross-functionally with procurement, warehousing, production and customer service, and may supervise a team of transport planners, dispatchers and fleet managers. Regulatory compliance, safety and security, and sustainability initiatives are core duties, as are governance of service levels, risk management and incident handling. In multinational organizations, the role may report to the chief operations officer, supply chain director, or logistics executive.

Qualifications and skills typically include a degree in logistics, supply chain management or a related field; knowledge of transport laws and Incoterms; experience with transportation management systems (TMS) and ERP software; strong data analytics, budgeting and vendor-management abilities; and leadership and change-management capabilities. The role's organizational placement varies; some companies centralize transport in a dedicated department, while others distribute responsibilities regionally or by business unit. Trends shaping the role include digitalization, multimodal transport, carrier management, and a growing emphasis on reducing environmental impact. See also logistics manager, supply chain director, carrier management, fleet manager.