Morton Salt is an iconic company with a strong heritage and a bright future. Since 1848, we have been improving lives and enhancing everyday moments - at home, at work and virtually everywhere in between. We help unlock the flavors in food, make roads and sidewalks safer, improve the water in baths, pools, and homes, and keep businesses and industries running. We are a dedicated team who constantly strives to do better together, and we are passionate about building a sustainable future for our company, the communities in which we operate, and the world around us. By joining our team, you will contribute to producing and delivering every form of salt that enhances everyday life.
Job SummaryThe Transportation Sourcing Manager leads a team of procurement professionals in the transportation category who plan, source and negotiate transportation services for their assigned modes of transport (bulk and package truck, intermodal, LTL and export containers) and ensures that the carriers and suppliers KPIs, SLAs, and contractual obligations are being met.
The jobholder will be responsible for the development and management of the company's overall freight procurement program and strategy and will have the overall responsibility for the quoting of freight expenses to sales and marketing for new or potential business, providing freight expense estimates for project analysis to support network and modal optimizations, while also providing market intelligence for selection of the best strategy to serve.
The jobholder is responsible for leading RFX activities by use of company's RFP tool, ensuring RFX plans are developed for executing category strategies, ensuring effective supplier management and has the full oversight of the day-to-day activities and projects for the transportation category.
Success in this position is primarily measured by overall freight cost reduction/avoidance impact, successful management of suppliers, the ability to work with other departments on transportation-related projects, thus providing a high level of service to the company. They will be a strategic leader with direct oversight of all transportation sourcing activities, heavily involved in creating the long-term supply chain roadmap for the company.
Duties and Responsibilities- Manage and monitor daily performance of freight procurement team to established KPIs/SLAs and resolve any deficiencies.
- Review industry and market information and set strategy for assigned categories and contracts
- Review actual costs vs budget by performing analysis and forecasting as required.
- Develop best practice tools, templates and processes and optimize the use of appropriate automation tools and standard forms
- Lead and/or prepare RFX's timelines and work with Legal and internal stakeholders, as needed, to complete / update required master transport contracts.
- Monitor industry pricing and capability trends and mitigate price increases and capitalize on decreases
- Support Marketing innovation projects through identification of new suppliers and/or quoting new projects with existing suppliers
- Lead network modal optimization activities to identify, implement and report on areas of cost saving opportunities related to transportation
- Participate in or lead special projects as assigned along with communicating project findings/results to logistics team, manufacturing facilities and others as required
- Interface independently with internal and external customers at all levels, including senior leadership.
- Manage the relationship between the internal customers and vendors
- Work with suppliers to resolve contractual service deficiencies
- Work with QA, suppliers, and plants to address, resolve, and escalate transportation quality issues
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Bachelor's degree preferred, with preference towards Business, Logistics, Engineering, Supply Chain or Operations Management preferred
- Advance degree a plus
- 7+ years of procurement experience preferred,
- 3-5 years focused on freight procurement and is familiar with transportation equipment along with transportation regulatory requirements
- Experience in sourcing categories such as transportation for bulk and package truck, intermodal and export movements and has knowledge of industry and market trends to develop and implement long-term strategies.
- Experience leading a team is a plus.
- Strong contract negotiation skills and has ability to negotiate positive outcomes with both internal and external partners.
- Strategic mindset with ability to communicate and build consensus around proposed opportunities on complex topics at all levels in the organization in a clear manner
- Experience with internet-based load management (track and trace) software, SAP, Warehouse Management or Transportation Management systems, Business Warehouse or similar reporting packages, databases, and analytical tools highly preferred.
- Strong analytical skills with high level of organization, follow through & accuracy. Ability to collect, organize, analyze and disseminate information with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Well-developed relationship-building, problem-solving, decision-making, negotiation, data extraction and analysis.
- Able to work independently as well as across functional or matrix team structures.
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team environment
- Able to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously. Strong track record for execution and follow through when managing critical deadlines.
- Knowledge of all MS Office products
- Experience in SAP is an asset.
At Morton Salt, we work best when we work as a team, when we treat one another with dignity and respect, and value the unique contributions of others. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, national origin, sex, religion, color, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.