Director, Logistics

Crown Bakeries; Brentwood (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Crown Bakeries is seeking a Logistics Director to lead warehouse, transportation, and distribution across our multi-site network. You will shape strategy, manage inbound and outbound flows, and partner with carriers to optimize service levels and total cost of ownership.

The role requires 7+ years in logistics, bakery manufacturing experience preferred, and a track record of developing talent and driving cost efficiencies within a production environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, logistics, operations management, or related field.
• 7+ years in logistics with bakery manufacturing experience preferred.
• Experience supporting logistics for multi-site manufacturing is preferred.
• Strong analytical skills and data-driven decision making.
• Excellent communication across all organization levels.

Responsibilities

• Direct strategy and execution of warehouse, transportation, and distribution activities.
• Negotiate total cost of ownership with carriers and 3rd party warehouses.
• Oversee cold storage operations and inbound/outbound flow, ensuring on-time delivery.
• Develop talent, training plans, and succession strategies within the team.
• Drive continuous logistics improvements aligning with VP, Supply & Logistics.
• Lead budget planning, monthly P&L reviews, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Collaborate with shipping, plant managers, customer support, and suppliers.

Skills

Logistics leadership

Strategic planning

Cost negotiation

Team development

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, logistics, operations engineering, or supply chain management

Job description

Job Summary

The Logistics Director reports to the Vice President, Supply Chain at Crown Bakeries. This is a key position in the Supply Chain function. This position is responsible for the strategy and execution of our warehouse, transportation, and distribution activities. This includes storage, transportation, and distribution of packaging, ingredients, and finished goods for Crown Bakeries. Working at the direction of the VP, Supply & Logistics, this role provides onsite leadership to ensure transportation, storage and distribution activities meet safety, quality, delivery, cost, and housekeeping objectives that support the strategic growth initiatives across all manufacturing locations for Crown Bakeries.

Responsibilities

• Direct the strategy and execution of our warehouse, transportation, and distribution activities. This includes collaborating closely with suppliers and customers to build strong and long-lasting relationships. Direct sourcing and cost negotiation activities with carriers and 3rd party warehousing to set shipping and storage rates for inbound materials and product distribution. Negotiate the best “total cost of ownership” to include price, quality, and service levels. (15%)
• Direct cold storage activities at Crown Bakeries company owned Cold Storage of Nashville (CSN) operations. This is a 24/7 operation with 25 employees. Manage staffing, training, inbound, storage, outbound, cycle counting and inventory consolidation needs. (15%)
• Manage dedicated transportation supplier shuttle needs for company. Manage resources as needed to maintain schedules. (15%)
• Manage the delivery process of products including inbound, shuttles, and outbound freight. This includes collaborating with the facility materials manager and customer support to ensure products arrive on time and in full. (15%).
• Manage and support the development of direct employees and indirect employees. Partner with human resources to develop succession plans. Identify training needs, develop training content, and execute training plans. (10%)
• Collaborate with shipping managers, plant managers, customer support, carriers, third party suppliers, and department leaders to ensure logistics are running smoothly, products are turning properly based on age and continually improve the supply chain. (10%)
• Develop, recommend, and execute transportation, distribution, and storage best practices to align with company priorities as outlined by the VP, Supply & Logistics. (5%)
• Recommend, execute, manage, and report inbound, outbound, shuttle, cold storage, and CSN budgets. Complete monthly P&L reviews and complete budget reforecasts as needed. (5%)
• Lead transportation RFPs, carrier sourcing, lane negotiation, and carrier selections. Lead 3rd party storage sourcing, negotiations, and selection. Manage complaints, claims and service failures to successful resolution. (5%)
• Develops the plan and strategy for future growth for finished goods storage and distribution. (5%)
• Identify, recommend, and implement goals and KPI’s for the department and direct reports. Provide Weekly and Monthly goals and project updates.
• Lead and participate in relevant company meetings.
• Maintain knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in logistics operations and management.
• Understand entire distribution and procurement process to develop efficiencies and cost reductions
• Other duties as assigned by the VP, Supply & Logistics

Qualifications And Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, logistics, operations engineering, supply chain management, or another similar-related field. Experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• 7+ years’ experience working in the logistics field. Bakery manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting logistics for a multi-site manufacturing company is strongly preferred.
• Good working knowledge of the consumer goods industry, in particular baking ingredients
• Exceptional analytical skills and critical thinking. Must think strategically yet operate collaboratively across functions and departments to gather data and develop fact-based analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Entrepreneurial mind-set, with a high tolerance for ambiguity and complexity. Ability to be efficient with limited resources.
• Strong overall business acumen and creative thinking along with problem-solving and analytical skills knowledge
• Organizational agility and resourcefulness, self-starter
• Strong time management skills and experience working with high volume data.
• Proven track record as a developer of talent
• CSCP, Lean, Six Sigma certifications preferred.

Work Environment

This job operates in a production plant, shipping area and office environment. The employee is occasionally exposed to facility elements such as noise, dust, fumes, and odors. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

EEO Statement

Crown Bakeries is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. It is our policy to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit any such discrimination or harassment in our workplace and strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workforce. This EEO policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.