Director Cargo Operations and Compliance

Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you. 

The Director, Seattle Cargo Operations & Compliance sets the long-term strategy for management of cargo operations at Alaska Airline’s largest cargo hub. This role ensures the safe, compliant, and efficient movement of cargo through strategic planning, operational excellence, and robust warehouse management. As a people leader, the Director leads a team of cargo professionals and collaborates cross-divisionally to align operations with business objectives, regulatory standards, and customer service.

• Create and execute a multi-year cargo strategic plan addressing market expansion, capacity optimization, and productivity growth.
• Oversee regular internal safety audits of warehouse operations, aircraft loading/unloading, and ground handling procedures.
• Establish and track performance objectives, conduct regular performance reviews, and ensure adherence to operational KPIs.
• Track operational and financial performance against targets such as cost per ton handled, throughput times, cargo yield, and on-time performance (OTP).
• Champion data-driven decision-making by analyzing shipment performance, cargo irregularities, dwell time, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversee union labor agreements and grievance resolution, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and labor laws.
• Develop and manage an annual cargo operational budget, including staffing, capital expenditures, and facility overhead.
• Oversee and manage Unit Load Device (ULD) inventory to ensure optimal allocation across freighter aircraft, widebody operations, and truck freight, maximizing cargo capacity and operational efficiency.
• Serve as the Hub’s primary subject matter expert on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) compliance. Ensure all bonded shipments are processed correctly and that messaging and clearance protocols are followed in accordance with federal regulations.
• Represent Seattle Cargo at the Cargo Divisional Analysis Group (DAG) and Safety Review Board (SRB) meetings and lead the implementation of corrective actions and proactively address emerging safety trends through data-driven analysis and continuous improvement strategies.
• Act as the primary liaison with regulatory authorities (e.g., FAA, TSA, CBP, USDA) for audits, inspections, and compliance-related activities.
• Direct the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of cargo safety management systems and hazard reporting processes.
• Ensure team is operating in full compliance with dangerous goods (DG) handling regulations, and maintain proper DG documentation, training, and incident reporting protocols.
• Ensure robust security screening procedures (including canine screening, X-ray, ETD) and audit compliance with Known Shipper Program and Certified Cargo Screening Facility (CCSF) requirements.
• Establish strategic partnerships with freight forwarders, ground equipment vendors and trucking companies.
• Provide strategic leadership in planning cargo capacity on both passenger and freighter networks, in coordination with network and scheduling teams.
• Oversee all cargo handling operations, including ULD build-up/breakdown, cargo acceptance, screening, storage, documentation, and loading/unloading.
• Establish the logistics of the warehouse design and layout to optimize cargo flow, security control, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure 24/7 operational readiness, including shift scheduling, equipment availability, and contingency planning for irregular operations (IROPs).
• Influence and coordinate closely with the ramp, flight operations, customs clearance, and ground handling teams to ensure seamless integration of cargo into the airline’s flight schedule.
• Lead initiatives to automate warehouse operations, such as RFID/Barcode scanning, ETVs, ASRS, or cargo sortation systems.
• Drive innovation through AI/ML-based forecasting tools, cargo digital twins, and advanced analytics platforms to improve hub operations.
• Develop people through effective performance management and ongoing feedback, focusing on fostering strategic and systems thinking, development of talent, and succession planning across teams and disciplines. 
• Shape culture of the team through action, presence, and reinforcement of behaviors.

Required

• 8 years of experience in operations management.
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience with at least 2 of those years directly leading people.
• Bachelor’s degree, or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
• Strong track record of effectively managing teams, with experience developing and mentoring employees through engagement. 
• Proven ability to deliver on all required performance metrics, goal and objectives as directed.
• Working knowledge of fiscal control systems, staffing processes, safety, and security compliance. 
• Sound, strategic thinker with a track record of demonstrating good judgement, strong business acumen, and executing plans with a sense of urgency and a mind for safety. 
• Skilled at making and defending tough decisions, while demonstrating care and concern for the opinions of others, both inside and outside the organization. 
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills (verbal, written, and interpersonal).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Minimum age of 18.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.

Preferred

• Freight operations experience with broad industry knowledge.
• Union operations experience.

• Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be kind-hearted, deliver performance, and be remarkable.

• Create a culture where all employees feel safe and they belong.

• Sound, strategic thinker with a track record of demonstrating good judgement, strong business acumen, and executing plans with a sense of urgency and a mind for safety.

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to drive outcomes in the best interest of the company directly (particularly with direct reports) and indirectly with others in the organization that may be executive sponsors, sponsors or other stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change cross-divisionally for mutually beneficial strategic and operational impact.

The pay range and total target compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at the start of employment. Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, your relevant experience/level, experience level, and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon employees. Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.

Note: We don't typically hire at the top of the range. 

Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.

• Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status 
• Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually 
• Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous 401k match program
• Quarterly and annual bonus plans
• Generous holiday and paid time off 

For more information about Alaska/Hawaiian/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement  
It is the policy of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment and to ensure equal opportunity in all terms, conditions, and benefits of employment or potential employment.   

We also prohibit discrimination and harassment against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories.  

We have established an EEO Compliance Program under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (“Section 503”) and the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (“VEVRAA”).  All applicants and employees are treated without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. In addition, we have established an audit and reporting system to allow for effective measurement of its equal employment opportunity activities.   

To implement this policy, we will: 

(1) Recruit, hire, train and promote qualified persons in all job titles, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and any other legally protected categories; 

(2) Ensure that employment decisions are based only on valid job requirements; and 

(3) Ensure that all personnel actions and employment activities such as compensation, benefits, promotions, layoffs, return from layoff, Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air sponsored programs, and tuition assistance will be administered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected categories. 

Employees and applicants for employment will not be subjected to harassment, intimidation, threats, coercion or discrimination because they have engaged or may engage in (1) filing a complaint, (2) opposing any act or practice made unlawful by, or exercising any other right protected by, any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions of VEVRAA, or (3) assisting or participating in any investigation, compliance evaluation, hearing, or any other activity related to the administration of any Federal, State or local law requiring equal opportunity, including Section 503 and the equal opportunity provisions  of VEVRAA. 

Government Contractor & Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulations 
Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT – regulations, 49 CFR part 40) and all applicants are advised that post-offer and/or pre-employment drug testing will be conducted to determine the presence of marijuana, cocaine, opioids, phencyclidine (PCP) and amphetamines or a metabolite of these drugs prior to any offer or employment or transfer into a safety-sensitive position. Failure to submit to testing or positive indications of drug use will render the applicant ineligible for employment with Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air and any employment offer will be withdrawn.