Senior Driver Operations Manager at Airspace

Company Introduction:

Airspace is a tech-enabled freight forwarder that’s redefining how the world’s most critical packages are delivered. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, Airspace has employees who are based around the world. Our European headquarters is in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

As a recognized leader in AI and machine learning, our team leverages data and patented technology to coordinate logistics across a global network of drivers and airlines. Our goal is to deliver those packages that are truly mission-critical in a way that is faster, more transparent, more secure, and more accountable than ever before. The items we deliver range from organs for transplant, to parts for critical machinery including grounded aircraft and highly sensitive components such as semiconductors.

Airspace has been rated one of America’s best Startup Employers, listed as one of CNBC’s Disruptor 50 companies, and featured as an Innovation and Disruption leader by CBS News. Airspace has the support of leading investors such as Telstra Ventures, HarbourVest Partners, Defy Partners, DBL Partners, and Scale Ventures. To date the company has raised more than $140m.

The company is growing rapidly and serving more places around the world than ever before. We are looking for passionate, motivated individuals who want to make an IMPACT every day to help us execute on our mission of reshaping the world of time-critical logistics.

Position Overview: The Sr. Manager, Driver Operations serves as the strategic leader of Airspace’s nationwide network of independent contract drivers (Commanders and Copilots). This role combines strategic workforce planning, performance optimization, and operational excellence to ensure driver network capacity, quality and cost efficiency . The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of scaling driver/contractor networks, optimizing workforce performance, and delivering measurable results that drive operational efficiency and bottom-line impact.

Compensation: $90k-100k + 10% bonus target

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Driver Network Leadership

Develop and execute comprehensive strategy for Airspace’s driver network aligned with company growth objectives
Serve as the primary internal and external representative for Driver Operations, representing the function to senior leadership, customers and external partners
Lead driver performance management strategy through the development and execution of scalable processes that ensure quality, reliability, and consistency across the national network
Identify and capitalize on strategic opportunities for network optimization, cost efficiency and service improvement

Launch Excellence & Implementation

Lead planning and execution of driver network expansion for major new customers and market expansions
Design and implement driver sourcing, recruitment, and onboarding strategies to ensure coverage aligns with demand requirements at launch
Coordinate cross-functional launch efforts, ensuring seamless integration of driver capabilities with customer needs
Establish launch playbooks and best practices for repeatable, scalable driver network expansion

Procurement & Cost Management

Partner closely with leadership to optimize driver compensation structures and drive strategic cost decisions
Develop and implement cost optimization strategies for driver network while maintaining service quality and retention
Analyze driver economics, utilization rates, and market dynamics to inform compensation and incentive strategies
Support margin objectives through efficient driver deployment and cost-per-delivery optimization

Vendor Management Partnership

Partner closely with the Director of Vendor Management to ensure strategic alignment on capacity, coverage, and growth initiatives
Collaborate on sourcing and onboarding strategy for driver network expansion to meet business needs
Ensure driver operations strategy aligns with vendor management strategy to create unified service delivery approach
Maintain high-level oversight of driver capacity planning without involvement in daily tactical execution

Team Leadership

Lead and develop a team of at least three direct reports with broader organizational responsibility for the extended downline
Build organizational capacity in driver recruitment, performance management, training and retention
Create clear accountability structures that enable Driver Operations Managers to excel in operational execution while leadership focuses on strategic impact
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and proactive problem-solving

What we’re looking for:

7+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement, supply chain, or logistics operations
3+ years of people management experience with proven ability to lead and develop teams
Demonstrated success scaling independent contractors or driver networks
Experience with procurement strategy and cost optimization initiatives
Excellent executive presence and communication skills with ability to represent the function to senior leadership and external partners
Self-starter who identifies opportunities and drives results with minimal direction
Proficiency in analytics and business intelligence tools to analyze performance trends, generate insights, and support data-driven decision-making
Demonstrated ability to scope, design, and implement core processes that drive strategic outcomes and operational value
Proven experience building scalable workflows and systems that improve efficiency, accountability, and performance
Strong business systems acumen, with experience standardizing and formalizing work to ensure consistency, clarity, and repeatability
Ability to translate strategic priorities into practical processes, tools, and reporting frameworks

Core Values:

We are One Team. We believe we all accomplish more when we are working together.
We make an Impact. We are determined to have a positive influence on our environment, our customers, our industry, and our world.
We are Passionate. We care deeply about our mission and are not afraid to raise the bar.
We are Transparent. We pride ourselves on having open, honest, and sincere communication with our team and customers.
We are Innovative. We never settle and are always striving to improve our product, service, and ourselves.

About Airspace:

From life-saving organs to essential machinery components, Airspace is trusted by the world’s largest companies and most critical healthcare organizations to move their most time-sensitive shipments on time, every time. Our proprietary AI-powered platform is the most advanced of its kind- awarded and protected by multiple patents, it provides speed, reliability, and transparency unrivaled in time-critical logistics. We are thinkers, builders, and doers; from building and deploying AI in the world to assembling a world-class operations team, Airspace is on a hypergrowth trajectory while remaining hyper-focused on the needs of our customers and team members.

With offices in the United States in Carlsbad, CA and in Europe in Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Stockholm, and London, we are rapidly scaling into new markets and industries while continuing to innovate and maximize value for our customers. Backed by leading investors including Telstra, HarbourVest, Prologis, Qualcomm, Defy, and others, Airspace has raised $140M to date.

Join our team of 300+ technologists, futurists, and industry veterans as we work as One Team to revolutionize time-critical logistics.

Airspace is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. Additionally, Airspace participates in the E-Verify program for all locations.

For this role the acquisition of recruitment agencies is not appreciated, thank you for your understanding.

Senior Driver Operations Manager

AI overview

About Airspace: