Overview:
The Freight & Logistics Category Manager oversees the strategic sourcing of Transportation/Logistics and one or more categories. They are a data driven leader that can understand category and related industry economics. They are a strong communicator and influencer responsible for $20M+ in spend.
Responsibilities:
Category & Sourcing Ownership
- Has full accountability for transportation sourcing including small parcel, 3PL, LTL, FTL, intermodal, and international freight (ocean, air, and customs brokerage)
- Leads strategic sourcing of finished goods exportation, ensuring compliance with export regulations, trade compliance requirements, and international shipping standards
- Participates in formulating and implementing long-term category strategies including pricing, supplier diversity, and contingency planning
Logistics Practice Development
- Drives the modernization and improvement of freight and logistics practice, identifying gaps and implementing scalable solutions
- Develops, documents, and continuously improves operational best practices across all freight and logistics functions
- Evaluates and implements Transportation Management System (TMS) tools and digital freight platforms to improve visibility, efficiency, and cost management
- Monitors global commodity markets, geopolitical developments, port conditions, and carrier capacity trends that could impact supply chain performance
Supplier & Stakeholder Management
- Works with business owners to optimize supplier selection and carrier mix across domestic and international lanes
- Establishes and enforces service levels with stakeholders and suppliers for owned categories
- Monitors sourcing agreements with regard to contracted service levels, spend, compliance, customer satisfaction, and audit requirements
- Negotiates supplier and carrier contracts, including international freight forwarder and customs broker agreements
Risk & Compliance
- Develops and implements risk mitigation strategies including carrier diversification, mode optimization, and geopolitical/trade risk planning
- Ensures compliance with U.S. export control regulations (EAR, ITAR where applicable), Incoterms, and customs requirements for finished goods shipments
- Monitors and maintains responsible sourcing standards across the carrier and 3PL network
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Procurement, or a related field, MBA preferred
- CPM, CPSM, or CLTD certification preferred
- 7+ years of experience in transportation sourcing, logistics, or supply chain management
- Demonstrated experience with international logistics, freight forwarding, and export operations
- Experience with TMS platforms and freight analytics tools strongly preferred
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
- Advanced analytical and data-driven decision-making skills
- Deep knowledge of domestic and international freight markets and carrier economics
- Expertise in export compliance and international trade regulations
- Strong negotiation skills across complex, multi-modal carrier agreements
- Change management and ability to lead practice transformation initiatives
- Influence without authority across cross-functional teams
- Problem solving and continuous improvement mindset
- People management and stakeholder engagement
