Director, Logistics

Job description

At Curriculum Associates, we believe in the potential of every child and are changing the face of education technology with award-winning learning programs like i-Ready that serve a third of the nation’s K–8 students. For more than 50 years, our commitment to making classrooms better places, serving educators, and supporting accessible learning experiences for all students has driven the continuous improvement of our innovative programs. Our team of more than 2,500 employees is composed of lifelong learners who stand behind this mission, working tirelessly to serve the educational community with world-class programs and support every day. Director, Logistics The Director, Logistics is responsible for leading Curriculum Associates' logistics strategy and managing the company's third-party logistics (3PL) partnerships across warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, returns, and international shipping. This role ensures that CA's distribution network operates at a high level of service, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness through strong vendor governance and continuous improvement. As the primary owner of CA's 3PL relationships, the Director will develop and maintain strategic partnerships, negotiate contracts, define service level agreements, and hold partners accountable to operational and quality standards. The role also maintains visibility into internal operational performance to ensure alignment between CA's business requirements and 3PL execution across all logistics channels. This is a senior individual contributor and people leader role that partners closely with Supply Chain, Order Management, Finance, and Customer Service teams to ensure seamless delivery of CA products to districts, schools, and individual customers nationwide. The impact you'll have : 3PL Relationship Management Serve as the primary point of contact and strategic owner for all CA 3PL partnerships across warehousing, fulfillment, transportation, reverse logistics, and international shipping Partner with procurement & legal to lead contract negotiations, renewals, and SLA development with 3PL providers to ensure alignment with CA's cost, service, and quality requirements Conduct regular business reviews with 3PL partners, driving accountability to performance targets and identifying areas for improvement Evaluate, onboard, and transition 3PL partners as needed, ensuring smooth operational continuity during any provider changes Maintain a deep understanding of 3PL partner capabilities, capacity, and technologies to proactively identify opportunities and risks Warehousing and Fulfillment Oversight Oversee CA's outsourced warehousing and order fulfillment operations, ensuring 3PL partners meet accuracy, throughput, and SLA standards Monitor inbound and outbound inventory flows, partnering with 3PLs to ensure operational readiness during peak seasons and major product launches Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for fulfillment operations including order accuracy, on-time shipment, and inventory shrinkage Collaborate with the internal Supply Chain team on inventory positioning, forecasting, and allocation strategies across fulfillment nodes Transportation and Freight Management Oversee CA's transportation network, including parcel, LTL, FTL, and freight broker relationships managed through 3PL partners Drive carrier performance, cost optimization, and service level compliance across inbound and outbound shipping channels Partner with 3PLs and internal teams to evaluate and implement transportation strategies that balance speed, cost, and sustainability Monitor freight spend and identify opportunities to reduce costs without compromising delivery performance Reverse Logistics and Returns Management Lead CA's returns and reverse logistics strategy in partnership with 3PL providers, ensuring efficient and accurate processing of returned product Establish clear returns processing standards, disposition rules, and reporting requirements with 3PL partners Work with Finance and Operations teams to track returns rates, disposition value, and overall reverse logistics cost and performance International Logistics and Compliance Manage international shipping channels through 3PL partners and freight forwarders, ensuring compliance with customs, import/export regulations, and trade policies Coordinate with internal stakeholders on international order requirements, documentation standards, and delivery commitments Monitor international logistics performance and costs, identifying opportunities to improve service levels and reduce complexity Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence Lead continuous improvement initiatives across CA's 3PL network using data-driven analysis and structured problem-solving approaches Identify and implement process improvements that enhance service performance, reduce operating costs, and improve the customer experience Establish performance management routines including KPI dashboards, root cause analysis, and corrective action planning with 3PL partners Stay current on logistics industry trends, emerging 3PL capabilities, and technology innovations that could benefit CA's network Cross-Functional Collaboration and Reporting Partner with Supply Chain, Order Management, Customer Service, Finance, and IT teams to ensure logistics operations support CA's business requirements Provide regular reporting on logistics performance, cost trends, 3PL compliance, and initiative progress to senior leadership Support implementation of new systems, logistics technologies, or operational enhancements in collaboration with 3PL partners and internal stakeholders Who we're looking for: Proven ability to manage and hold accountable complex, multi-provider 3PL networks across warehousing, transportation, and fulfillment Strong contract negotiation skills with experience structuring SLAs, KPIs, and performance governance frameworks for logistics providers Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with experience using data to drive operational decisions and continuous improvement Deep knowledge of logistics operations including warehousing, parcel and freight transportation, reverse logistics, and international shipping Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to influence without direct authority Experience implementing or leveraging logistics technology platforms (WMS, TMS, visibility tools) in partnership with 3PL providers Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience). Master’s degree preferred 10 to 12+ years of logistics, supply chain, or operations experience with progressive leadership responsibility Minimum 5 years of direct 3PL management experience, including contract negotiation, SLA governance, and performance management Demonstrated experience managing multiple logistics channels including warehousing, transportation, returns, and international shipping Proven track record of driving continuous improvement and cost savings within a complex logistics network Preferred Qualifications: APICS CSCP, CLTD, or similar supply chain/logistics certification Experience with WMS, TMS, or supply chain visibility platforms Experience managing logistics in a publishing, media, or education materials industry Familiarity with customs brokerage and international trade compliance requirements Experience leading logistics network design or 3PL RFP and onboarding processes Success Metrics • Achievement of 3PL service level targets across fulfillment, transportation, and returns • Demonstrated improvement in logistics cost efficiency and freight spend management • Strong 3PL partner performance and accountability to SLA and KPI commitments • High levels of order accuracy, on-time delivery, and customer satisfaction • Effective management of international shipping compliance and delivery performance • Successful implementation of continuous improvement initiatives across the 3PL network • Positive cross-functional relationships and logistics visibility across the organization Travel : Travel as needed (20 to 30%) to 3PL partner sites, CA facilities, and corporate meetings Location: This role is based at our North Billerica, Massachusetts office, following our company's in-office day schedule. Candidates must live within commuting distance of North Billerica, Massachusetts. We are also open to candidates living in the Greater St. Louis, Missouri area, who are willing to travel to our office in MA. Salary range for this role: $110,500 - $196,500 The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that Curriculum Associates considers in making compensation decisions based on our Compensation Philosophy. Actual base pay within that range will vary based upon several factors including, but not limited to, prior experience and relevant skill sets. At Curriculum Associates, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances for each case. This role is also eligible to participate in the company bonus plan. The Company recognizes that minimum wage varies by location and will ensure all compensation decisions comply with applicable state and local laws. Benefits: Benefit eligible employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees can enroll in our company’s 401k plan and receive an employer match. Employees have access to a flexible vacation and sick policy in addition to twelve paid holidays and a winter office closure between Christmas and New Year's, as well as a number of additional perks and benefits. Application deadline : August 18, 2026. This is subject to close earlier if there is a high volume of applicants or a qualified hire is made.