Director Vertical - Industrial Manufacturing and Aerospace

C.H. Robinson is seeking a dynamic, data‑driven, and strategically minded leader to serve as the Director Vertical - Industrial Manufacturing & Aerospace within our North America Surface Transportation (NAST) division. In this role you will own the vertical’s strategy, performance, and growth agenda - setting how we win in the industrial & technology markets by aligning teams, capabilities, and investments to the highest‑value opportunities. As the Director, you will translate market insight, customer economics, and performance trends into focused priorities that drive measurable commercial, financial, and customer outcomes. Operating within a matrixed model, you will ensure clarity, consistency, and accountability across Commercial, Capability Integration, Data, and Centers of Excellence. Critical to your success will be ensuring clarity on priorities, reinforcing consistent execution, and driving accountability for outcomes. This position may be located at any of our U.S. based offices. Responsibilities: • Define and own the industrial vertical strategy and roadmap, making clear prioritization and trade‑off decisions to drive revenue growth, profitability, and expansion of the addressable market • Translate market trends, customer needs, competitive dynamics, customer economics, and performance insights into focused priorities and scalable growth plays • Identify growth opportunities, capability gaps, and adjacencies, including developing recommendations on build‑versus‑buy and capability investment • Oversee centralized capabilities such as Data Science, Digital CX, and Automation, to ensure solutions are standardized, scalable, commercially viable, and configurable for industrial customers • Align resources and cross‑functional teams to the highest‑value opportunities, reinforcing priorities, expectations, and consistent execution across regions and customer portfolios • Define and drive success metrics tied to business outcomes, partnering with Data, Performance & Governance to quantify ROI, track performance, and adjust priorities based on insights • Identify execution gaps, drive corrective actions, and ensure alignment between strategy, capability development, and operational execution • Lead vertical governance by setting strategic focus areas, reinforcing operating model discipline, and developing data‑driven recommendations to support investment decisions ​ Required Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university • Minimum 8 years of leadership in customer engagement, consultative client management, commercial strategy, or vertical/segment leadership • Minimum 5 years in logistics, transportation, supply chain, or related industry • Minimum 4 years of direct people leadership (hiring, coaching, performance management, talent development) • Experience leading strategy, growth initiatives, business performance, or cross‑functional programs tied to measurable commercial outcomes ​ Preferred Qualifications: • Experience supporting or leading customer, industry, segment, or growth initiatives • Strong knowledge of North America transportation, logistics, or supply chain markets • Experience using customer, market, or performance data to identify opportunities and guide decisions • Experience influencing in a matrixed environment • Strong communication skills, including stakeholder alignment and presenting recommendations • Values a diverse and inclusive work environment We will review applications for this role on an ongoing basis and encourage all interested candidates to apply at their earliest convenience. Compensation Range $127,500.00 - $295,900.00 The base pay range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum base pay for the position across all U.S. locations. Your individual base pay within this range is determined by work location, which takes into account geographic cost of labor, and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base pay only and do not include additional variable compensation. Questioning if you meet the mark? Studies have shown that some individuals may be less likely to apply unless they match the job description exactly. Here at C.H. Robinson, we’re building an inclusive workplace where all employees feel they belong. If this position excites you, we welcome you to apply whether you check all the preferred qualifications or just a few. You may just be our next great fit! Equal Opportunity C.H. Robinson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to a workplace and performance culture that reflects the strengths of our worldwide marketplace. We value unique experiences and diverse backgrounds of our people within our company, our business relationships, and our communities. We’re committed to providing an inclusive environment, free from harassment and discrimination, where all employees feel welcomed, valued and respected. EOE\Disabled\Veteran Benefits Your Health, Wealth and Self Your total wellbeing is the foundation of our business, and our benefits support your financial, family and personal goals. We provide the top-tier benefits that matter to you most, including: • Three medical plans which include • • Prescription drug coverage • Enhanced Fertility benefits • Flexible Spending Accounts • Health Savings Account (including employer contribution) • Dental and Vision • Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability • Paid observed holidays • 2 paid floating holidays for U.S. hourly employees • Flexible Time Off (FTO) offered to U.S. salaried employees — no accruals and no caps. Paid Time Off (PTO) offered to all other employees in the U.S. and Canada • Paid parental leave • Paid time off to volunteer in your community • Charitable Giving Match Program • 401(k) with 6% company matching • Employee Stock Purchase Plan • Plus a broad range of career development, networking, and team-building opportunities Learn more about our benefit offerings on our BENEFITS & WELLBEING page