Global Road Logistics Operational Excellence and Technology Manager - North America

Kuehne+Nagel; Bensenville (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and welfare benefits

401k retirement savings plan

Tuition reimbursement

Incentive compensation

Job summary

Kuehne+Nagel, a global logistics leader, seeks an Operational Excellence and Technology Manager for North America to drive technology adoption and process improvements across NA operations.

You will link regional needs with global tech strategy, lead large-scale programs, and champion data-driven improvements while engaging senior leaders and traveling across the region.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 5+ years leading large-scale technology, operational-excellence, transformation, or process-improvement initiatives.
• Senior-level operational experience and strong business acumen in logistics/transportation.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive adoption across a complex org.
• Strong data literacy, tech fluency, and curiosity about AI and automation.
• Experience working across functions, countries, and cultures in a global org.
• Strong English communication skills and willingness to travel within North America.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive the Road Logistics technology strategy and roadmap for North America.
• Lead deployment and adoption of the global Transport Management System and surrounding applications.
• Manage large-scale technology and transformation programs from planning to post-launch support.
• Oversee gap analysis, design, testing, training, change management, and launch execution.
• Connect North American operational requirements with the global technology org and standards.
• Drive operational excellence through process standardization, tech adoption, and shared-service capabilities.
• Support transformation initiatives including centralization, automation, and AI.
• Analyze operational data to identify opportunities and implement improvements.
• Build alignment among senior leaders, operations, tech, service engineering, and other stakeholders.
• Empower local process and systems experts through training and on-site support.

Skills

Data literacy

English communication

Stakeholder influence

AI/Automation curiosity

Coding knowledge beneficial

Cross-functional collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in management/logistics/psychology

Tools

Transport Management System

Job description

It's more than a job

As a member of the Global Road Logistics team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.

It's more than a job

As a member of the Global Road Logistics team Kuehne+Nagel, you will play a key role in transporting goods, optimising processes, and fulfilling our customers' promises. And by transporting medicines, toys and important machine parts, you are not only delivering goods, you are making small and big moments possible for people all around the world. At Kuehne+Nagel, our contribution counts in more ways than we imagine.

As our Global Road Logistics Operational Excellence and Technology Manager - North America, you will lead the adoption and implementation of global technology products, programs, and operational-excellence initiatives across North America.

You will serve as a critical link between regional operations and the global technology organization. You will represent North American business requirements, reinforce the global technology strategy locally, and help ensure that technology investments deliver practical improvements in efficiency, service, and operational performance.

This role requires more than technical knowledge. You will need strong operational credibility, business acumen, and the confidence to engage senior leaders, challenge existing approaches, and inspire adoption across a geographically and culturally diverse organization.

How you create impact

• Develop and drive the Road Logistics technology strategy and roadmap for North America in partnership with regional and country business leaders.
• Lead the deployment and adoption of the global Transport Management System, surrounding applications, processes, and organizational model.
• Manage large-scale technology and transformation programs from planning through implementation and post-launch support.
• Oversee gap analysis, solution design, testing, training, change management, launch execution, and operational follow-up.
• Connect North American operational requirements with the global technology organization while reinforcing global standards across the region.
• Drive operational excellence through process standardization, performance management, technology adoption, and shared-service capabilities.
• Support transformation initiatives involving centralization, consolidation, automation, AI, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze operational data and performance to identify opportunities and implement fact-based improvements.
• Build alignment among senior leaders, operations, technology, service engineering, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Empower local process and systems experts through training, instructional materials, and on-site change support.

What we would like you to bring

• A bachelor’s degree in management, logistics, psychology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• At least five years of relevant experience, including leading large-scale technology, operational-excellence, transformation, or process-improvement initiatives.
• Senior-level operational experience and strong business acumen, preferably within logistics, transportation, freight forwarding, or a related industry.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, challenge existing approaches constructively, and drive technology and process adoption across a complex organization.
• Strong data literacy, technology fluency, and curiosity about AI, automation, and emerging tools. Coding experience is beneficial but not required.
• Experience working across functions, countries, and cultures within a global organization, with the ability to manage multiple priorities independently.
• Strong English communication skills and willingness to travel extensively within North America; additional languages are a plus.

What's in it for you

At Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to inspire, empower, and deliver not only to our customers, but also to our colleagues. We offer a dynamic global work environment with opportunities for excellent training programs and career mobility. The target base salary range for this position is between $150,000 and $170,000. Base salary is part of a competitive total rewards package that includes health and welfare benefits, a 401k retirement savings plan, tuition reimbursement, and incentive compensation for eligible roles. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, skills, job location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. Kuehne+Nagel reviews pay ranges regularly to ensure competitive and fair pay based on industry market data.

Kuehne+Nagel participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used to assist in specific processes [e.g. screening applications, interview scheduling]. These tools analyze information to support decision-making, but final decisions are made by human reviewers.

Who we are

Logistics shapes everyday life - from the goods we consume to the healthcare we rely on. At Kuehne+Nagel, your work goes beyond logistics; it enables both ordinary and special moments in the lives of people around the world.

As a global leader with a strong heritage and a vision to move the world forward, we offer a safe, stable environment where your career can make a real difference. Whether we help deliver life-saving medicines, develop sustainable transportation solutions or support our local communities, your career will contribute to more than you can imagine.

Kuehne+Nagel is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) and to compliance with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation. Kuehne+Nagel strictly prohibits all discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, age, national origin, ethnicity, religious creed or belief, physical or mental disability, marital or familial status, legally protected medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender (including gender identity and gender expression), sexual orientation, citizenship status, protected activity (such as opposition to or reporting of prohibited discrimination or harassment. Kuehne+Nagel will also make reasonable accommodations for disabled applicants and employees, including accommodations for pregnancy and childbirth, and for the sincerely held religious beliefs of applicants and employees depending upon individual circumstances unless such accommodation would create an undue hardship on Kuehne+Nagel.