Manager Freight Transportation EU(m/w/x)

**PURPOSE & OVERALL RELEVANCE FOR THE ORGANISATION** The 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)