EMEA Ocean Freight Transportation Manager (m/f/x)

CHE 3M EMEA, GmbH; Langenthal; On-site; CHF 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

3M seeks an EMEA Ocean Freight Transportation Manager to lead ocean transportation operations, manage carrier performance, and drive network optimization across the EMEA region. You will oversee end-to-end execution, provide strategic governance, and deliver continuous improvements in service, cost, and compliance.

Key duties include leading carrier reviews, establishing scorecards and SLAs, and partnering with Sourcing on bids and rate negotiations while promoting a culture of safety,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Significant experience in transportation, logistics, or ocean freight operations.
• Proven experience managing carriers, performance, and regional programs.
• Experience supporting sourcing activities, bids, and carrier negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Ocean Transportation operations across EMEA, manage escalations and routing guide compliance.
• Build and govern carrier scorecards, SLAs, and performance reviews; drive root-cause actions.
• Improve Ocean Transit-on-Time performance and reduce demurrage/detention costs; develop KPI dashboards.
• Translate regulatory requirements into practical guidance and training to promote compliance.
• Collaborate with Sourcing on carrier strategy, rate negotiations, and service optimization.

Skills

Carrier performance management

Transportation operations leadership

SLA governance

Stakeholder engagement

Analytics & KPI management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related discipline

Job description

The Impact You'l Make in this Role

As the EMEA Ocean Freight Transportation Manager, you will be responsible for leading ocean transportation operations, carrier performance management, network optimization, and strategic freight governance across the EMEA region. This role drives the execution of regional and global ocean transportation strategies, ensures operational excellence for inbound and outbound shipments, and delivers continuous improvements in service, cost, and compliance performance.

• Ocean Transportation Operations Lead end-to-end Ocean Transportation execution across EMEA. Manage transportation escalations, urgent deliveries, and carrier release issues. Ensure routing guide compliance and provide transportation guidance to regional and global stakeholders. Support deployment and operational stabilization of strategic transportation initiatives, including Ocean RFQs and RFPs. Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on cost reduction, service reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Carrier Performance & Governance Lead carrier performance reviews and governance programs. Establish and manage carrier scorecards, SLAs, and service expectations. Drive root cause analysis and corrective actions for underperforming carriers and lanes. Partner with Sourcing on carrier strategy, rate negotiations, and service optimization.
• Performance Improvement & Analytics Improve Ocean Transit-on-Time (ToT) performance. Reduce end-to-end lead times through port and inland dwell optimization. Reduce demurrage and detention costs through proactive monitoring and corrective actions. Develop and maintain KPI dashboards to provide visibility, accountability, and actionable insights across the EMEA Ocean network. Translating regulatory requirements into clear, practical guidance and learning content, while promoting a strong culture of compliance through communications, awareness campaigns, and stakeholder engagement.

Your Skills and Expertise

To set you up for success in this role from day one, 3M is looking for candidates who meet following minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain, or ocean freight operations.
• Proven experience managing carriers, transportation performance, and regional logistics programs.
• Experience supporting sourcing activities, transportation bids, and carrier negotiations.

Additional knowledge / nice-to-have skills / preferred qualifications that could help you succeed even further in this role include:

• Ocean Freight Transportation Management
• Carrier Relationship & Performance Management
• Supply Chain and Logistics Operations
• Strategic Sourcing Collaboration
• Transportation Analytics & KPI Management
• Continuous Improvement & Root Cause Analysis
• Project & Change Management
• Stakeholder Management and Executive Communication
• Problem Solving and Escalation Management

Job specifics

• Work location: Langenthal, Switzerland
• Travel: May include up to 30% travel across EMEA.

Safety is a core value at 3M. All employees are expected to contribute to a strong Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) culture by following safety policies, identifying hazards, and engaging in continuous improvement.

At 3M, we believe diversity & inclusion are essential to innovation. We seek and value differences in people!

As an equal opportunity employer 3M will not discriminate against any applicant for employment on the basis of race/ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy/maternity-related matters, age or disability, or any other relevant characteristic protected under applicable local law.