Partnership Manager - Transportation & Logistics

AptDeco is reinventing the way people buy and sell furniture. We’ve built a trusted online marketplace powered by a first-of-its-kind logistics network — removing all the friction from a process that’s traditionally been messy, inconvenient, and unreliable. Now, as we scale nationally, we’re looking for builders, problem-solvers, and operators who want to help shape a product and experience that simply didn’t exist before. If you’re excited by big challenges, love moving fast, and want to be part of a team at a major inflection point, you’ll thrive here.

Our logistics operations are central to creating an excellent customer experience, and we’re looking for a strategic and relationship-driven leader to build and manage our carrier network.

The Partnership Manager will lead AptDeco’s network of logistics partners — including moving, delivery, and transportation companies — to ensure best-in-class fulfillment operations. This person will be responsible for sourcing, onboarding, and managing carrier partners to meet performance, cost, and service quality goals.

You’ll be the main point of contact for carrier relationships, ensuring partners adhere to Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and that AptDeco’s logistics operations run smoothly and efficiently at scale.

This role combines strategic relationship management, operational execution, and business development — ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of partnership building and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Carrier Network Development

• Identify, source, and vet moving, delivery, and logistics carriers across current and new AptDeco markets.
• Build and maintain sourcing protocols, minimum qualification standards, and a central carrier database.
• Present the AptDeco partnership opportunity to potential carriers — showcasing the value proposition and operational model.
• Own the full partnership development and integration process, including rate negotiation, terms, coverage areas, performance criteria, and documentation.
• Lead training sessions for new carriers to ensure full understanding of operational procedures, technology platforms, and service expectations.
• Partner with internal teams (CX, Product, Ops) to ensure seamless pre-launch onboarding and system readiness.

Performance & Relationship Management

• Maintain ongoing relationships with carriers, serving as their main point of contact and advocate within AptDeco.
• Monitor carrier performance against SLAs and KPIs (on-time rate, damage rate, customer satisfaction, etc.).
• Standardize performance reporting and develop feedback loops with carriers to drive improvements against KPIs and SLAs.
• Create recurring reports for CX, Product and/or leadership to provide transparency into the health of the network as well as product feedback.
• Manage day-to-day carrier communications and maintain an escalation workflow in partnership with CX that ensures timely resolution of customer-facing issues.
• Gather and synthesize CX and Ops feedback to ensure carrier performance alignment.
• Build trust and rapport with carriers while reinforcing expectations and service standards.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and address underperformance proactively through coaching, escalation, or contract changes.
• Develop strategies to improve carrier reliability, efficiency, and customer experience.

Network Optimization & Expansion

• Analyze operational data to optimize AptDeco’s nationwide logistics network, reduce costs, and improve fulfillment times.
• Work collaboratively with Product, Ops and leadership to provide insights into bottlenecks or inefficiencies within the carrier network and/or AptDeco product or tools, and propose scalable solutions.
• Assess carrier capacity and readiness to support market growth and expansion.
• Carrier Invoicing & Audit
• Own carrier invoicing: creation, submission, audit, and exception tracking.
• Manage approvals and price updates related to quantity discrepancies, storage fees, dry-runs, and other accessorials.
• Identify opportunities for automation or workflow improvements

Qualifications

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in logistics, transportation, operations, or business development — with at least 3 years managing carrier, vendor, or 3PL relationships.
• Experience working with or within a moving, delivery, or last-mile logistics company strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of scaling operations or partnerships at a mid-to-large-size startup or high-growth company.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, negotiate, and manage strategic partnerships.
• Proven communication and relationship management skills.
• Experience with tools like Onfleet, Front, Looker, and Google Workspace preferred.

Skills

• Exceptional communication and negotiation skills — able to build trust and alignment across partners and internal stakeholders.
• Analytical thinker with experience in operational metrics and performance improvement.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented and able to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment.
• Tech-savvy with experience using logistics, delivery, or fleet management platforms.
• Entrepreneurial spirit — thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic, and mission-driven environment.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field (MBA a plus).