PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATIONThe Manager, Freight Transportation is a key, in-house strategy execution role for an organized, passionate, goal-oriented, energetic, and visionary business-leader who understands the challenges and the opportunities of an EU wide supply chain and transportation network. The ideal candidate brings in hands-on experience of owning an end-to-end EU Delivery network (FTL / LTL) with active 3PL carrier management experience and can help enhance the performance of our business.
- Own the Transportation Performance for his/her assigned network
- Manage an extended carrier portfolio across EU countries
- Drive major change initiatives in EU network (New DCs, Transformation initiatives, Store Launches, System Deployments)
- Enable new services to provide better cost, performance, quality, and convenience for our internal and external customers
- Ensure proper carrier capacity is enabled in line with business plans, and work to secure additional capacity when ad hoc needs arise
- Participate and drive B2B transportation negotiations along with procurement
- POC of transportation for Distribution centers (own and 3PL), customers, carriers, IT, and sales
- Initiate and drive or take part in new system capability deployments and process upgrades
- Effective 3PL vendor management, being able to drive performance of suppliers/vendors
- Uplift the overall Transportation awareness in internal SCM and business community
- Drive proper communication and engagement via stakeholder management
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Drive freight delivery network performance for EU, in alignment with strategic direction
- Actively manage the assigned EU parcel carrier portfolio with proper cadence and governance (WBRs/ MBRs / QBRs – ad-hoc escalations, if need be)
- Improve transportation KPIs (OTIF, Speed, Cost, Sustainability, NPS and choices) for wholesale and retail fulfillment channels
- Budget ownership of over a 30+ Million Euro annual spend (invoices paid)
- Improve the transportation network with better optimized cost, service, and reliability
- Help boost the sustainability vision of the company for the B2B / pallet network
- Drive active participation on cross functional projects.
- Help bring live the exciting projects such as new DC launches, or new store openings
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
- Initiate and drive discussions with cross-functional internal stakeholders, as well as external partners; to collect and consolidate input, anecdotes, issues, feedback, and insights to prepare, plan, align and deliver solutions
- Deliver execution of the aligned tactical / strategic initiatives
- Proactively manage stakeholders, build rapport, and manage communication
- Stakeholders pertain (but not limited) to the following core functions
- EMEA Supply Chain Management (DCs, product supply, order fulfillment, CS etc.)
- EMEA Market (all functions)
- External partners (carriers, solution providers and consultants)
- Global Operations (Global Transportation, Procurement. Digital, Strategy and IT)
- Corporate functions (e.g., legal, finance & performance management)
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Soft skills
- Thinks Big and has a bias for action. Expected to plan, align, deliver, and improve
- End-to-end mindset with a holistic view of problems and opportunities on hand
- Have a ‘yes’, ‘can-do’ attitude. Is a believer that positivism goes a long way
- Has backbone, develops and constructively communicates his opinion, not scared to disagree, and yet commit. Seeks the best for the business always
- Operates at all levels. Owns analysis and deep dives, contributes to strategy making
- Is able to come up with a strategy not limited to, but predominantly to his area of responsibility in line with the overall business strategy and direction
- Solution builder with a creative mind and solid experience in delivering results
- Highly autonomous, and self-motivated. Acts like an ‘owner’
- Earns trust, both among his/her teammates and internal/external stakeholders.
- Does what he/she commits in due time, and dares to say ‘No’ when required so
- Engaging, open and perceptive to feedback and improvement
- Autonomous and capable of handling all-way communication (upward, lateral, and downward)
- Adapts well to change, perceptive and open to change, leads transformation efforts
- Solid presentation and storytelling skills
- Disciplined. Good at time management and organizational skills
Hard skills
- Expertise on EU carrier network, with suppliers, services, systems, ways of working and customer preferences
- Working experience with a Transportation Management and Optimization system (BlueYonder preferred)
- Advanced MS Office skills, especially Excel and PowerPoint
- Dives deep with proven data analytics skills, and gets his/her hands dirty
- Frugal. Delivers value, not ample meetings
- Cost conscious and financially literate
- Has experience in building and assessing Business Cases with scenario planning
Organization Cultural Add
- Works with an authentic and collaborative mindset.
- Values teamplay above all, respect all opinions but also, has courage to do things differently, innovate and deliver with integrity
- Sets and insists on the highest standards for his/herself
- Communicates effectively
- Owns the game
- Good at prioritization, and is perceptive of business priorities
- Provides feedback to peers, and owns his/her development and performance
- Curious, open to learn & develop. Believes that continuous learning is the key to any successful career path
- Fosters a team culture that encourages trustful, open, and constructive discussion
REQUISITE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE / MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelor’s degree from relevant departments of universities required. A Master’s degree and PMP / lean sigma certification preferred
- Minimum 4 years of relevant work experience in an advanced supply chain and/or transportation management environment (relevant consultancy included)
adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.