Senior Manager of Logistics
The Senior Manager of Logistics holds enterprise-wide accountability for all transportation and freight operations spanning domestic distribution, company-owned fleet, and international inbound supply chain. This is a senior leadership role focused on strategy, team development, financial stewardship, and cross-functional alignment - not day-to-day operational execution, which is delegated to the Domestic Freight Manager, International Logistics Manager, and Logistics Freight Analyst who report to this position.
The Senior Manager sets the vision and performance standards for the entire logistics function, drives cost efficiency across the freight network, ensures regulatory compliance at a governance level, and serves as the primary logistics voice to executive leadership. The ideal candidate is an experienced logistics professional with a track record of building high-performing teams, optimizing complex multi-modal freight networks, and leading strategic change in a large-scale food distribution environment.
Enterprise Logistics Strategy:
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Develop and own the multi-year logistics strategy integrating domestic freight, private fleet, and international inbound operations into a unified, cost-efficient network aligned with growth objectives
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Establish enterprise-wide KPIs, performance standards, and accountability frameworks across all transportation functions
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Lead annual freight budget development and manage total logistics spend including fleet capital planning, carrier contracts, and outside storage programs
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Evaluate and champion adoption of technology platforms including TMS, ELD, and supply chain visibility tools to improve efficiency and data quality
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Identify and drive network optimization opportunities including mode shifts, consolidation programs, and distribution footprint changes
Team Leadership and Organizational Development:
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Recruit, develop, and retain a high-performing logistics team including the Domestic Freight Manager, International Logistics Manager, and Logistics Freight Analyst
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Provide coaching, performance management, and career development for all direct reports; foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence
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Ensure the logistics department is appropriately staffed and structured to meet current demands and support future growth
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Drive adherence to safety and sustainability standards throughout the entire logistics organization
Financial Oversight and Contract Governance:
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Hold ultimate authority over all domestic and international freight contract negotiations, approving final terms for major carrier, forwarder, and 3PL agreements
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Review and approve logistics-related capital expenditure requests including fleet acquisitions, maintenance investments, and technology implementations
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Monitor freight spend performance against budget and direct corrective action when cost targets are at risk
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Ensure freight allowance frameworks and vendor pricing structures are sound
Regulatory Governance and Risk Management:
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Maintain governance-level oversight of compliance with FMCSA/DOT regulations domestically and FSMA and CBP requirements for international imports
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Ensure the department maintains current trade compliance knowledge and that all regulatory obligations are properly delegated, monitored, and met
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Identify and mitigate logistics-related supply chain risks including carrier capacity, port disruptions, customs delays, and fleet reliability with proactive contingency planning
Executive and Cross-Functional Partnership:
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Serve as the logistics department's primary liaison to executive leadership, presenting network performance, strategic initiatives, capital requests, and market developments
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Partner with Procurement, Category Management, Finance, Quality Assurance, and Sales to align logistics capabilities with business priorities and demand plans
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Represent the organization in key carrier, supplier, and industry relationships that require senior manager level engagement
Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, or related field required; Master's degree or MBA strongly preferred
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10+ years of progressive logistics and transportation management experience with at least 5 years in a leadership role
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Demonstrated experience managing both domestic transportation including private fleet and international import logistics operations
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Prior experience in food and beverage distribution or temperature-controlled supply chain strongly preferred
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Proven ability to build, develop, and retain high-performing teams across multiple functional areas
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Executive-level communication and influence skills; comfortable presenting to C-suite and board-level stakeholders
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Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business goals into logistics network decisions
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Broad knowledge of FTL, LTL, intermodal, ocean, and air freight; cold chain management; fleet operations; and customs/trade compliance
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Familiarity with TMS platforms, ERP systems such as SAP and Oracle, ELD technology, and supply chain analytics tools
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APICS CSCP/CLTD, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, or equivalent senior supply chain credential preferred
