Design Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Shape the future of transportation solutions through strategic pricing, network design and business growth.
WHO WE ARE
Headquarters: Cedar Rapids, IA
Position Location: Preferred in Cedar Rapids, IA, but open to remote candidates for the right individual.

CRST is seeking a visionary and results-driven Director - Pricing & Design to lead pricing strategy and transportation network design for our Dedicated business unit. This leadership role is responsible for overseeing all pricing, engineering and solution design activities that support new business development and drive operational efficiency across existing customer operations.

As a key business partner to executive leadership, sales, operations and finance, you will lead a team of managers, pricing analysts and logistics engineers while helping shape multimillion-dollar transportation solutions. This role requires an experienced transportation professional who can blend strategic thinking, financial acumen and operational expertise to deliver innovative, profitable and customer-focused solutions.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience in dedicated transportation pricing, network optimization and business strategy, along with a proven ability to influence senior leaders, lead high-performing teams and drive continuous improvement across complex transportation operations.

CRST Dedicated Solutions
CRST's Dedicated Solutions division focuses on service excellence to retailers and producers who need consistent, dependable, high-quality delivery services. We provide customers with the flexibility of a private fleet, without the expense.

Compensation: $111,321 - $150,294 Starting Wages (Pay Bi-Weekly) *A final amount is dependent on factors including prior relevant experience, knowledge, and location. Typically, selected candidates are hired at a rate between the minimum and midpoint of the range.
Benefits: Comprehensive package including medical, dental and vision coverage; prescription drug and telemedicine services; company-paid life and disability insurance; retirement savings with company match; paid time off, holidays and parental leave; plus additional voluntary benefits and employee discounts.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Lead and develop a team of managers, pricing analysts and logistics engineers responsible for supporting new business growth and optimizing existing customer operations
• Pricing & Design Oversight: Establish and execute the strategic vision for pricing, transportation network design and engineering initiatives across the Dedicated business
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with executive leadership, sales, operations, finance and other stakeholders to align pricing strategies with organizational goals and growth objectives
• Financial Accountability: Share responsibility for the financial performance of current and prospective business opportunities generated through pricing, engineering and analytical initiatives
• Business Development Support: Guide complex customer pursuits by developing innovative transportation solutions, pricing strategies and value propositions that drive profitable growth
• Customer & Executive Presentations: Lead internal and customer-facing presentations that communicate pricing methodologies, engineered solutions, operational recommendations and business outcomes
• Network Optimization: Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency through modeling techniques, route optimization, network analysis and continuous improvement initiatives
• Proposal Development: Oversee the creation of customer proposals, pricing summaries, KPIs, pro formas, rate submissions and supporting analytical documentation
• Contract & Legal Coordination: Partner with CRST's Legal team to develop and modify transportation agreements, schedules, amendments and supporting contractual documentation
• Financial Validation: Collaborate with Financial Planning & Analysis and Equipment Solutions teams to validate cost allocations, financial assumptions and equipment pricing inputs
• Continuous Improvement: Champion innovation and process improvements within pricing methodologies, business development processes, customer experience initiatives and fleet operations
• Accountability & Reliability: Maintain regular and reliable attendance while performing other duties as assigned to support team and business needs

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
• Industry Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience within transportation, logistics or trucking, including significant experience supporting dedicated transportation operations
• Pricing Expertise: Demonstrated expertise developing and leading pricing strategies, transportation cost models, profitability analysis, margin management and complex customer pricing solutions
• Network Design: Extensive experience with transportation network optimization, logistics engineering, route design and analytical modeling tools
• Leadership: Proven success leading leaders, managers and cross-functional teams while developing high-performing organizations and driving business results
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of transportation economics, equipment costs, financial modeling, investment analysis and operational performance metrics
• Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in Excel and transportation modeling tools, with experience leveraging data analytics to support strategic decision-making
• Executive Presence: Exceptional communication, presentation and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence senior leaders, customers and executive stakeholders
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to balance customer needs, operational feasibility and financial performance while driving long-term business growth
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, complex initiatives and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Did You Know?

• CRST is one of the largest privately owned trucking companies in the United States. That means you can count on our experience and ongoing commitment to provide the best service to our customers and the best work environment for our employees.
• We're family-owned. We're dedicated to building on our founder's legacy to make CRST the transportation solution.
• CRST is headquartered in Cedar Rapids, IA. Our Midwestern hometown is known for its strong values, commitment to our community and the success of manufacturers and producers here and throughout the country. When we thrive, America thrives.

The CRST Core Values: Safety at the Core of All We Do – Integrity in Every Decision and Action – Commitment to the Success of Employees, Customers, Agents, Contractors and Communities.

EEO Statement: CRST The Transportation Solution, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, national origin, race, religion, sex or any other status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.