Director, Customer Transportation

Mars Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 154,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Incorporated, Accelerator division, is seeking a Director, Customer Transportation to lead strategy, procurement, and execution of customer transportation across the business. You will guide carrier management, 3PL partnerships, budgeting, and network optimization while partnering with internal stakeholders and customers.

This role requires a strategic mindset, seasoned leadership, and a track record of delivering service improvements and cost efficiencies in complex supply chains.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field.
• 10+ years in transportation, logistics or distribution with leadership experience.
• Proven carrier, 3PL relationships and procurement experience including RFPs.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing, distribution and customer fulfillment networks.
• Track record of budgeting, forecasting, cost-saving and productivity programs.
• Expertise in project, change, and continuous improvement with operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the overall customer transportation strategy to meet objectives and cost targets.
• Lead transportation transformation initiatives and process redesign for efficiency.
• Establish operating models and sourcing strategies delivering service excellence and financial performance.
• Lead carrier sourcing, negotiations, and annual RFP processes.
• Manage carrier and 3PL relationships ensuring performance accountability.
• Serve as the primary transportation partner for customers and internal stakeholders.
• Develop budgets, forecasts and long-term cost-management plans.
• Monitor performance metrics and drive initiatives to improve cost and service.
• Lead analytics to anticipate trends and drive future-focused strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Transportation strategy

Carrier management

Budgeting

Stakeholder comms

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

Director, Customer Transportation

Accelerator, a global Division of Mars Snacking, is on the front line of unlocking growth across high-potential categories and brands to fuel what's next for Snacking. It's home to both emerging and enduring brands, including KIND, TRÜ FRÜ, NATURE'S BAKERY, RXBAR, EGGO, POP-TARTS and RICE KRISPIE TREATS. Combining the scale of Mars with the agility of a start-up, our Division has the ambition to accelerate the future of snacking by delivering products consumers love today, discovering category-shaping innovations for tomorrow and developing entrepreneurial teams whose impact will last for generations.

As Director, Customer Transportation, you will play a critical leadership role in ensuring our transportation network can support this growth while delivering exceptional service, efficiency, and reliability for our customers. Reporting into Supply Chain leadership, you will lead the strategy, procurement, and execution of customer transportation across the business. This highly visible role is responsible for carrier management, third-party logistics partnerships, transportation budgeting, and network optimization while serving as the voice of transportation with both internal stakeholders and external customers. Success in this role requires a strategic mindset, strong leadership capabilities, and the ability to translate transportation market insights into scalable solutions that drive customer satisfaction and business performance.

What Are We Looking For?

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or a related field.


• 10+ years of transportation, logistics, supply chain, or distribution experience, including leadership of teams, strategic initiatives, and external transportation partners.


• Proven experience managing transportation networks, carrier relationships, third-party logistics providers, and transportation procurement activities, including carrier sourcing and RFP processes.


• Strong understanding of manufacturing, distribution, and customer fulfillment networks.


• Demonstrated success developing transportation budgets, forecasts, cost‑saving initiatives, and productivity programs.


• Strong project management, change management, and continuous improvement experience with a track record of driving operational excellence.


• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, negotiation, and decision‑making skills with the ability to manage complex business challenges.


• Proven ability to influence senior leaders, build cross‑functional partnerships, and communicate effectively across internal and external stakeholders.

What Will Be Your Key Responsibilities?

Transportation Strategy & Network Leadership

• Develop and execute the overall customer transportation strategy to support business objectives, service commitments, and cost targets.


• Lead transportation transformation initiatives, including process redesign, capability development, and operational improvements.


• Establish transportation operating models and sourcing strategies that deliver service excellence and financial performance.

Carrier & Logistics Partner Management

• Lead carrier sourcing, contract negotiations, and transportation procurement activities, including annual RFP processes.


• Manage strategic relationships with carriers and third‑party transportation providers while ensuring accountability for performance and service.


• Ensure sufficient transportation capacity is available across the supply chain network.

Customer Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary transportation representative for customers and key internal stakeholders.


• Partner with customer teams to identify opportunities that improve service levels, transportation effectiveness, and supply chain efficiency.


• Communicate transportation performance, priorities, and improvement initiatives to senior leadership.

Financial Management & Performance Optimization

• Develop annual transportation budgets, forecasts, and long‑term cost management plans.


• Partner with Finance and Supply Chain leadership to identify productivity opportunities and improve transportation economics.


• Monitor performance metrics and drive initiatives that improve cost, service, and operational effectiveness.

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Utilize transportation market intelligence and business analytics to anticipate industry trends and develop future‑focused strategies.


• Lead continuous improvement initiatives that enhance network performance, customer experience, and operational excellence.


• Build strong internal and external partnerships to foster innovation and long‑term supply chain success.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles.


• Join a purpose driven company, where we're striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.


• Best‑in‑class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in‑house Mars University.


• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience.The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits.Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 153,600.00 - USD 211,200.00