Company Name
Echo Global Logistics
Search Job Title
Vice President of Operations
Client Profile
Echo Global Logistics was founded in 2005 with one objective: to simplify transportation management and move the transportation industry forward with tech-enabled solutions and leading 3PL experts.
Role Objectives & Challenges
The VP of Operations will act as a strategic counterpart to the VP of Commercial, with a mission to strengthen Echo’s intermodal (IMDL) capabilities. This leader will focus on driving procurement, pricing strategy, and operational performance while enabling long-term capacity expansion through a non-asset-based model. Though daily tactical execution is handled by a seasoned team, the VP must bring domain authority and forward-thinking to build scalable, customer-aligned solutions across procurement and carrier management.
The key objective is to expand Echo’s access to door-to-door intermodal capacity and refine its strategic roadmap, including questions around container ownership and longer-term asset investment. Success in this role will depend on deep familiarity with rail lines and trucking providers, the ability to evaluate and improve pricing and procurement frameworks, and a thoughtful leadership style that supports and elevates a strong operations team. The leader must also bring credibility to engage both internal teams and external partners, while remaining flexible to Echo’s transactional, fast-paced approach to market dynamics.
Our Approach to Solve the Search
To meet Echo’s expectations, the search strategy focused on finding a seasoned intermodal operator with direct experience in both rail partnerships and door-to-door capacity management. The ideal candidate would not only have technical fluency across the IMDL landscape but will also possess a strong leadership presence—someone visible, vocal, and energized by building team culture. Given the complexity and specialization of this role, cultural and situational fit will be just as critical as industry experience.
The search needed to at least start in the local market, prioritizing in-office candidates to ensure on-site engagement and cross-functional alignment. Ideal targets could include executives from candidates at companies familiar with Echo’s model who are capable of adapting their approach to Echo’s unique needs. While rail backgrounds are acceptable, candidates needed to be open to non-asset sourcing models and possess a modern perspective on IMDL execution. The hiring strategy included a weekly cadence of updates, real-time pipeline tracking, and active candidate calibration to refine direction and ensure precision in execution.
The Hire & Results
The successful candidate was a passive, Chicago-based executive who had previously stepped away from the industry but was drawn to the strength of the opportunity and the leadership partnership it offered. Echo needed a seasoned operator to complement their intermodal sales team, and she brought both the operational expertise and cultural alignment to thrive in that role. Her enthusiasm to return to the 3PL space made her an ideal fit.
We presented a slate of five highly qualified candidates and successfully filled the position in under 45 days. This efficiency was made possible by a strong, collaborative relationship with the client and our deep familiarity with their organizational needs, culture, and operating model.
