VP of Transportation Resume Guide

A strong resume for a VP of Transportation is critical to showcase leadership in logistics strategy, multimodal operations, and P&L accountability. Hiring teams look for measurable impact—cost reduction, service improvement, and regulatory compliance—paired with the ability to scale networks. Resumize.ai helps craft a professional, ATS-optimized resume that highlights executive achievements, strategic initiatives, and cross-functional influence to secure C-suite and board-level interviews for transportation leaders.

What skills should a VP of Transportation include on their resume?

Transportation StrategyP&L ManagementCarrier ContractingMultimodal OperationsTransportation Management Systems (TMS)Network OptimizationFreight ProcurementRegulatory ComplianceCost-to-Serve AnalysisKPIs & AnalyticsSafety & Risk ManagementTelematics & Fleet ManagementChange Leadership

What are the key responsibilities of a VP of Transportation?

  • Develop and execute long-term transportation and logistics strategy aligned with corporate goals and customer service requirements
  • Oversee multimodal operations (truckload, LTL, intermodal, air, ocean) to ensure on-time delivery and capacity optimization
  • Manage P&L for transportation functions, driving cost reduction, revenue opportunities, and margin improvement
  • Lead carrier procurement, contract negotiations, and partnership management to secure capacity and reduce freight spend
  • Implement performance metrics (OTD, cost per mile, dwell time) and dashboards to monitor operations and continuous improvement
  • Ensure regulatory compliance (DOT, FMCSA, customs, hazardous materials) and maintain safety and security programs
  • Direct technology strategy including TMS, route optimization, telematics, and carrier portals to improve visibility and automation
  • Build and develop high-performing teams across operations, planning, procurement, and compliance
  • Coordinate with supply chain, warehousing, and procurement to optimize end-to-end logistics and inventory flow

How do I write a VP of Transportation resume summary?

Choose a summary that matches your experience level:

Entry Level

Operations-focused transportation leader with 6 years’ experience optimizing regional fleets and improving on-time delivery by implementing route planning and carrier performance metrics. Proven ability to manage vendor relationships and support cost-saving initiatives in fast-paced logistics environments.

Mid-Level

Seasoned transportation director with 10+ years managing multimodal logistics and a track record of reducing freight spend by 15% through strategic carrier negotiations and TMS enhancements. Skilled in network optimization, KPI development, and cross-functional leadership to improve service and margins.

Senior Level

VP of Transportation with 18+ years driving enterprise logistics strategy for global organizations; delivered $28M in annual savings via network redesign, modal shift, and automated routing. Expert in P&L stewardship, regulatory compliance, and building high-performing teams to scale operations and improve customer satisfaction.

What are the best VP of Transportation resume bullet points?

Use these metrics-driven examples to strengthen your work history:

  • "Directed a global transportation network redesign that reduced annual freight spend by $12.3M (10%) and improved on-time delivery from 89% to 96% within 18 months"
  • "Negotiated carrier contracts and consolidated lanes, achieving a 14% reduction in cost per mile and securing guaranteed capacity during peak seasons"
  • "Led TMS selection and implementation across 4 regions, decreasing manual dispatch hours by 40% and improving route efficiency to cut fuel costs by 8%"
  • "Implemented carrier scorecards and operational KPIs, reducing detention and dwell time by 22% and improving carrier compliance rates to 98%"
  • "Managed a $150M transportation budget and P&L, driving margin improvements of 3.5% through process standardization and vendor rationalization"
  • "Developed safety and compliance program that reduced preventable incidents by 45% and maintained 100% regulatory audit readiness (DOT/FMCSA)"
  • "Introduced modal shift strategy to intermodal and rail, lowering long-haul costs by $4.2M annually and reducing CO2 emissions by 12%"
  • "Built and mentored a 60-person cross-functional transportation team, improving employee retention by 28% and accelerating leadership bench strength"
  • "Piloted telematics and predictive ETA solutions, increasing shipment visibility to 99% and decreasing customer exceptions by 30%"

What ATS keywords should a VP of Transportation use?

Naturally incorporate these keywords to pass applicant tracking systems:

VP of TransportationTransportation StrategyLogistics ManagementP&L ManagementCarrier NegotiationFreight OptimizationTransportation Management SystemTMS ImplementationNetwork DesignMultimodal LogisticsIntermodalCost ReductionOn-Time DeliveryCarrier PerformanceRegulatory ComplianceDOT/FMCSASafety ManagementFleet ManagementTelematicsRoute OptimizationKPI DashboardsProcurementVendor ManagementCapacity PlanningContinuous ImprovementSupply Chain Collaboration

Frequently Asked Questions About VP of Transportation Resumes

What skills should a VP of Transportation include on their resume?

Essential skills for a VP of Transportation resume include: Transportation Strategy, P&L Management, Carrier Contracting, Multimodal Operations, Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Network Optimization. Focus on both technical competencies and soft skills relevant to your target role.

How do I write a VP of Transportation resume summary?

A strong VP of Transportation resume summary should be 2-3 sentences highlighting your years of experience, key achievements, and most relevant skills. For example: "Seasoned transportation director with 10+ years managing multimodal logistics and a track record of reducing freight spend by 15% through strategic carrier negotiations and TMS enhancements. Skilled in network optimization, KPI development, and cross-functional leadership to improve service and margins."

What are the key responsibilities of a VP of Transportation?

Key VP of Transportation responsibilities typically include: Develop and execute long-term transportation and logistics strategy aligned with corporate goals and customer service requirements; Oversee multimodal operations (truckload, LTL, intermodal, air, ocean) to ensure on-time delivery and capacity optimization; Manage P&L for transportation functions, driving cost reduction, revenue opportunities, and margin improvement; Lead carrier procurement, contract negotiations, and partnership management to secure capacity and reduce freight spend. Tailor these to match the specific job description you're applying for.

How long should a VP of Transportation resume be?

For most VP of Transportation positions, keep your resume to 1 page if you have less than 10 years of experience. Senior professionals with extensive experience may use 2 pages, but keep content relevant and impactful.

What makes a VP of Transportation resume stand out?

A standout VP of Transportation resume uses metrics to quantify achievements, includes relevant keywords for ATS optimization, and clearly demonstrates impact. For example: "Directed a global transportation network redesign that reduced annual freight spend by $12.3M (10%) and improved on-time delivery from 89% to 96% within 18 months"

What ATS keywords should a VP of Transportation use?

Important ATS keywords for VP of Transportation resumes include: VP of Transportation, Transportation Strategy, Logistics Management, P&L Management, Carrier Negotiation, Freight Optimization, Transportation Management System, TMS Implementation. Naturally incorporate these throughout your resume.

Ready to build your VP of Transportation resume?

Ready to land your next executive transportation role? Use Resumize.ai (http://resumize.ai/) to build an ATS-optimized VP of Transportation resume that quantifies your impact, highlights strategic leadership, and positions you for senior interviews. Start now to get interview-ready content tailored to your achievements.

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