Manager, Logistics and Fleet Operations - Americas

Overview

The Regional Manager of Logistics & Fleet Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing domestic and international inbound and outbound logistics operations across 11 North American based locations (7 plants and 4 warehouses (3 ancillary, 1 3PL)) that support manufacturing and fulfillment activities throughout the Americas. This role will manage site-based logistics managers and coordinators and will oversee a company owned fleet that is used for intercompany transfer and local raw material pickups. Key areas of focus include ERP/TMS integration, fleet optimization, carrier RFP and rate negotiation, freight benchmarking, and improving customer satisfaction. The ideal candidate will be a strategic and hands-on leader with deep experience in multi-site logistics management, freight spend management, and continuous improvement. Strong data analysis and reporting capabilities are essential to monitor performance, identify trends, and drive improvement initiatives across all sites.

Logistics Operations & Process Standardization

• Multi-site Oversight: Lead daily logistics operations across plant and warehouse sites, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in load tendering, appointment scheduling, carrier performance, and fleet management.

• Intercompany Transfers: Monitor and improve intercompany transfers to reduce costs, improve service, and optimize fleet utilization.

• Process Standardization: Drive consistency and scalability by implementing standardized procedures across all locations.

• Budgeting: Develop and support annual budgeting as it relates to staffing, capital improvements, software and technical improvements, and overall general costs.

• Collaboration: Coordinate with Customer Experience, Sales, and other departments (Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Procurement, HR) to facilitate efficient and cost-effective load scheduling and delivery.

Freight Management & Carrier Relations

• Carrier Negotiation & Procurement: Define go-forward freight strategy (contract, spot, hybrid) and develop corresponding rate structures, contracts, and RFP processes for TL, LTL, intermodal, rail, and ocean freight to effectively support.

• Freight Policies: Update current freight policies to ensure all requirements (equipment, advance notice, change requests, scheduling, fees, penalties, etc.) are properly defined and enforced for both company tendered and customer pickup loads.

• Freight Audit & Payment: Coordinate with 3^rd party and internal auditing to ensure carrier invoice accuracy and compliance.

• Freight Documentation: Drive standardization (format, verbiage, terms, etc.) of key freight documents (PL, BOL, CO, CI, etc.) to ensure alignment with company freight policy and corporate terms and conditions.

• Contract Management: Advise and assist procurement in negotiating contracts related to fleet maintenance, software licensing, carrier rates, rail car drops, accessorials, etc.

Fleet Operations

• Fleet Management: Oversee company-owned and leased fleet (100+ enclosed trailers, 3 bulk tankers, 8 trucks, 7 drivers, and 1 mechanic) operated out of two GA plant locations. Consolidate and manage service/PM programs into single platform and audit PCard purchases for fuel and other fleet related expenses.

• Driver Management: Manage and lead team of 7 drivers with regards to Hours of Service (HOS), safety programs, and driver retention strategies.

• Certifications and Compliance: Oversee and manage FMCSA DOT, CDL, MCS-150, IFTA, CSA, and other certifications/registrations (domestic and international) to ensure proper compliance for fleet and drivers.

• Cost Control: Closely monitor logistics related costs to identity opportunities for reduction and improvement.

Performance & Process Improvement

• KPI Monitoring: Establish and track key performance indicators (e.g., carrier performance, tender acceptance, dwell times, load times, detention/demurrage, customer complaints, carrier claims, load mix, spot vs. contract, etc.)

• Lean Initiatives: Identify and execute Lean and Six Sigma projects to reduce waste and improve operational efficiency.

• Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate with Warehouse, Procurement, Manufacturing, Sales, and Customer Service to align operations with business goals.

Leadership & Team Development

• Team Coaching: Lead, mentor, and develop logistics managers and their teams to foster engagement and accountability.

• Retention Strategies: Address staffing challenges through proactive workforce planning and employee development.

• Staffing: Determine staffing requirements, conducts performance reviews, and monitors attendance to ensure functional requirements are met and attendance policy is followed. Prepare and conduct performances of associates.

• Culture Building: Promote a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

• Succession Planning: Build talent pipelines and prepare teams for future leadership roles.

• Initiatives: Serve as the key member of the logistics leadership team, contributing to strategic initiatives and leading process improvement efforts.

Technology, Data & Systems Integration

• Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Leverage experience in implementing and optimizing TMS platforms (Mercury Gate) and dock scheduler (OpenDock) for routing, load planning, and carrier management to improve overall tender process, reduce freight costs, and drive improved carrier performance.

• ERP Integration: Actively work with ERP owners to integrate logistics workflows with enterprise systems (AS400, SAP, D365) for real-time data flow and greater reporting.

• Optimization: Champion automation and digital transformation initiatives to reduce manual processes.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Leverage MS Power BI and other tools to analyze trends, identify root causes, and drive performance improvements.

• Dashboard Development: Create reporting frameworks and dashboards to monitor KPIs and support continuous improvement.

Safety & Compliance

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure adherence to OSHA and internal safety and quality standards.

• Risk Mitigation: Identify and address operational risks, including safety incidents and compliance violations.

• Health and Safety Systems: Oversee health, safety and quality control systems to track incidents, compliance, and issue resolution.

Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field.

• Experience: 12+ years of progressive experience in logistics, transportation, and fleet management including multi-site leadership and team management. REQUIRED

• Bulk Product Shipping: Familiar with shipping large non-standard bulk items via flatbed, enclosed van, and containers. Rolls (geosynthetics) can be up to 18 feet long, 30+ inches in diameter, and weigh over 4000 lbs.

• Leadership: Proven success in improving team performance, retention, and operational outcomes. Strong initiative, decisiveness, and problem-solving skills. Ability to be flexible in a rapidly changing environment.

• Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of ERP (AS400, SAP, and Microsoft D365) systems, TMS (Mercury Gate), Dock Scheduler (OpenDock), carrier tools (RMIS Pro), freight benchmarking/rating tools (SONAR, SMC3) and data maintenance. Advanced knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and pivot tables.

• Analytical Skills: Advanced data analysis and reporting capabilities, including Power BI or similar tools.

• Certifications (Preferred):

  • APICS CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional)

  • Six Sigma Green/Black Belt

  • PMP (Project Management Professional)

  • CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution)

• Travel: Ability to travel up to 30% to regional sites.