Distribution Manager - Europe

Orica Limited; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Orica is seeking a Distribution Manager - Europe to lead safe, compliant, reliable, and cost-effective product movement across the European network.

You will set direction for European distribution, enable local leaders, and oversee 5–8 direct and 65–75 indirect reports, with Lisbon as the preferred base to collaborate with regional leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain, business or related field.
• Around 10 years experience in transportation and warehouse operations with regional leadership.
• Experience leading diverse indirect teams and cross-country teams.
• Knowledge of SAP transportation/warehousing will be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead the European Distribution function in alignment with the EMEA Supply Chain strategy.
• Own downstream deployment and replenishment activities across distribution centres.
• Develop regional warehouse, transportation and distribution plans with stakeholders.
• Optimise network routes, cost, lead times and handling efficiency.
• Build governance with carriers, warehouses and 3PLs; manage performance reviews.
• Ensure compliance with European and local transport and storage regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Analytical capability

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in logistics or related field

Tools

SAP

Job description

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Date: 8 Oct 2026

Location: Lisbon, 11, PT, 1050-127

Company: Orica

About the role

We are looking for a Distribution Manager - Europe to lead the safe, compliant, reliable and cost-effective movement of products across our European network. This is a key regional leadership position within our EMEA Supply Chain organisation, with responsibility for transportation, warehousing, downstream deployment and distribution performance across Europe.
You will set the direction for European distribution while enabling local leaders and specialists to own day-to-day execution. Working across countries, sites and functions, you will improve service, safety, compliance, resilience and cost performance, and ensure decisions are made with the wider European network in mind.
The role leads approximately 5-8 direct reports and 65-75 indirect reports across Europe. Lisbon is the preferred location to support close collaboration with the regional leadership team. Candidates based at other major Orica locations in Europe may also be considered. The position includes travel to manufacturing plants, distribution centres and operational sites.

What you will be doing

• Lead the European Distribution function in support of the EMEA Supply Chain strategy, ensuring the safe, compliant, reliable and cost-effective movement of products across the region.
• Own short-term downstream deployment and replenishment activities, including movements into distribution centres and outbound deliveries to regional distribution centres, customer field sites and magazines.
• Develop and execute regional warehouse, transportation and distribution plans in partnership with Planning, Sourcing & Procurement, Manufacturing, Commercial and third-party logistics providers.
• Take a strategic, pan-European view of the network, assessing corridors, ports, warehouses, routes and modal choices to improve resilience, competitiveness, lead time and handling efficiency.
• Optimise European freight routing, carrier allocation and warehouse flows, reducing avoidable cost, demurrage, empty kilometres and operational complexity.
• Manage distribution costs and productivity, including freight, warehousing, contractors, overtime, temporary labour and workforce plans.
• Build effective carrier, warehouse and logistics-partner governance through contract execution, performance reviews, issue escalation and continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with European and local requirements for the transportation and storage of regulated and dangerous goods, together with applicable product-security, import/export and customer requirements.
• Lead transport and warehouse safety and risk management, including critical controls, audits, corrective actions, incident learning and significant-hazard management.
• Improve stock visibility, traceability, picking and delivery accuracy, cycle-count governance, returns management and timely inventory reconciliation in SAP.
• Develop practical reporting, analytics and dashboards that provide insight into service, safety, cost, compliance, productivity and provider performance.
• Develop capable and accountable teams through clear roles, coaching, delegation, performance routines, training compliance, succession planning and consistent ways of working across countries.
• Support major-hazard-facility-related distribution and warehousing requirements where applicable, including licensing, notifications, change assessments, safety-case inputs and key-control performance.

What you will bring

• A Bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain, business or a related discipline.
• Substantial experience in transportation and warehouse operations, ideally around 10 years, with demonstrated progression into regional or multi-country leadership responsibilities.
• Experience leading people and influencing sizeable indirect operational teams across different locations.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through others by setting direction, delegating execution, coaching teams and creating clear accountability.
• Experience developing and implementing product-delivery or distribution strategies across Europe and using more than one transportation mode.
• Working knowledge of European regulations and controls relating to the transportation and warehousing of regulated or dangerous goods. Experience in explosives, chemicals, pharmaceuticals or another highly regulated product environment will be highly regarded.
• Strong knowledge of transportation, warehousing, logistics sourcing, carrier management and third-party provider governance.
• Experience managing budgets, freight and warehousing costs, workforce productivity and operational forecasts.
• Demonstrated capability in lean or continuous improvement, root-cause analysis and network or route optimisation.
• Strong analytical capability and experience establishing and using operational metrics, dashboards and performance routines.
• Excellent communication, presentation and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage senior regional leaders and align stakeholders across functions and countries.
• Strategic thinking combined with sound operational judgement, resilience, integrity and a willingness to learn Orica’s specialised products, systems and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of SAP transportation, warehousing or inventory applications will be advantageous.
• Experience across road transport together with air, ocean/coastal or rail freight will be advantageous.
• Willingness to travel across Europe and the right to work in the proposed employment location.

What we offer

As part of a truly global company, you will have the ability to grow and learn in a diverse, collaborative culture. We foster relationships and learning through connected global and local teams, promote flexible and diverse career paths and support the development of your knowledge and skills.

You will be paid a competitive salary, learn from talented individuals across multiple disciplines and be able to thrive in a safe workplace within a collaborative culture. Ignite your career at a place where your distinct potential can find its home.

We respect and value all

Orica promotes and fosters a culture of inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment everywhere we operate. We treat our people and applicants with fairness, dignity, and respect, getting the best of everyone’s contributions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, nationality, age, military or veteran, marital or disability status.