Sr Manager, Logistics/Distribution

The Role

As Senior Category Manager – Ocean Freight, you will own and shape the ocean freight strategy supporting a complex, import‑driven manufacturing network with exposure to Asia and Latin America. You will have direct influence over carrier strategy, total cost of ownership, service reliability, and risk mitigation across material cost and service levers. You will:

• Lead a high‑visibility category with direct impact to cost, service, and working capital
• Serve as the enterprise commercial authority for ocean freight with Finance, Supply Chain, and Operations leadership
• Operate in a role that is strategic by design (≈70%), while retaining enough operational proximity to ensure strategies execute in the real world
• Build and evolve a durable logistics sourcing strategy, moving beyond vendor management to long‑term category ownership
• Play a key role in navigating market volatility, carrier capacity shifts, and regulatory complexity

This role drives sourcing and supplier decisions that are adopted at the enterprise level and reflected in financial forecasts, service commitments, and risk posture.

This role owns the commercial strategy, supplier portfolio, and performance outcomes for ocean freight services, balancing cost, service, risk, and compliance. The position leads two direct reports—Trade Compliance Manager and International Transportation Manager and works closely with Supply Chain, Finance, Operations, and Procurement leadership to ensure sourcing strategies translate into operational and financial results.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Market Leadership

• Develop and execute a multi‑year ocean freight category strategy aligned to business objectives, service requirements, and cost objectives
• Monitor global freight markets, carrier capacity, rate trends, and geopolitical or regulatory risks; translate insights into actionable sourcing strategies
• Own total cost of ownership (TCO) considerations including rates, surcharges, transit time, reliability, and risk exposure

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Management

• Lead end‑to‑end RFP/RFQ processes with ocean carriers and NVOCCs, including strategy design, negotiations, award recommendations, and contract execution
• Negotiate commercial agreements that balance cost competitiveness with service reliability, capacity access, and contractual protections
• Partner with Finance to validate savings, cost avoidance, and budget assumptions

Supplier Performance & Relationship Management

• Manage strategic supplier relationships, performance scorecards, and quarterly business reviews
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on service reliability, cost optimization, and operational efficiency
• Serve as the escalation point for supplier performance and capacity issues

Continued...

Operational Oversight & Compliance

• Provide functional leadership to the International Transportation Manager to ensure day‑to‑day execution at origin aligns with sourcing strategy
• Control operational performance for final delivery to North America
• Oversee trade compliance activities through the Trade Compliance Manager, ensuring adherence to U.S. and international regulations
• Maintain strong governance around Incoterms, customs requirements, HTS classification, and C‑TPAT compliance

Cross‑Functional Leadership

• Partner with Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, and Procurement to align sourcing strategies with production plans, inventory strategies, and financial objectives
• Present market insights, category strategies, and performance updates to senior stakeholders
• Influence decisions through data‑driven analysis and clear executive communication

Talent Development

• Develop and mentor direct reports, building a high‑performing logistics sourcing and compliance function
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and market curiosity

Success Measurements

• Ocean freight cost per container and total landed cost performance
• Carrier and NVOCC service reliability and on time delivery
• Contract compliance and realized vs. negotiated savings
• Risk mitigation effectiveness and supply continuity
• Regulatory and trade compliance adherence

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Logistics, Business, or a related field
• Progressive experience in ocean freight sourcing, category management, or international logistics, typically 5+ years
• Strong knowledge of ocean freight markets, Incoterms, port operations, and carrier commercial structures
• Experience managing or partnering closely with trade compliance functions
• Proven negotiation skills with ocean carriers and logistics service providers
• Strong analytical capability with proficiency in Excel, TMS platforms, and BI tools (e.g., Power BI)
• Ability to communicate complex market dynamics clearly to senior stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA or advanced degree
• APICS CSCP, CPIM, CPSM, CSCMP, or PMP certification
• Six Sigma Green Belt or similar continuous improvement training
• Licensed Customs Broker, CCS, or CES certification
• Experience managing Asia‑Pacific and Latin American trade lanes
• Demonstrated experience navigating freight market volatility and capacity disruptions

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