Senior Logistics Manager

The Sterling Choice; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Sterling Choice is partnering with a US manufacturer to appoint a Senior Manager of Logistics Operations. This role leads multi-site fleet, rail, and warehousing activities while driving efficiency and cost savings across the network.

You will report into senior leadership, develop teams, and build a robust logistics infrastructure. A clear path to Director of Transportation is highlighted as the business grows through organic and acquisitive expansion.

Qualifications

• 10+ years in transportation, logistics or distribution with leadership responsibility.
• Hands-on experience managing company-owned fleets and drivers.
• Knowledge of rail transportation and railcar operations.
• Experience with warehousing, third-party providers and storage contracts.
• Understanding of bulk liquid/dry bulk or industrial transportation environments.
• Strong DOT compliance, safety and fleet maintenance awareness.
• Record of reducing logistics costs and improving service levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead company-owned fleet operations, driver management, dispatch and compliance.
• Oversee rail operations, carrier relationships, routing and service performance.
• Manage warehouse ops, third-party storage and inventory movements.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve asset utilisation.
• Develop and support transportation teams and a strong safety culture.
• Oversee logistics budgets, carrier relationships and KPIs.
• Collaborate with manufacturing, supply chain, procurement and leadership.

Skills

Fleet management

Driver operations

Rail transportation

Warehouse management

Budgeting

Cross-functional leadership

Job description

Salary: $120,000-$140,000 Base + Benefits

Travel: Approximately 50%

Industry: Manufacturing | Ingredients | Bulk Transportation

The Opportunity:

We're partnering with a rapidly growing US manufacturer of specialist ingredients to appoint a Senior Manager of Logistics Operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced transportation and logistics leader to take ownership of a complex, multi-site logistics network, covering company-owned fleet operations, rail transportation, warehousing and third-party logistics providers.

The business is experiencing significant growth, both organically and through acquisitions, creating opportunities to strengthen its infrastructure, improve operational performance and develop its future leadership team.

Importantly, this position offers a genuine succession pathway towards Director of Transportation.

We're looking for someone who enjoys being close to operations, solving problems, developing people and identifying opportunities to improve service, efficiency and cost.

What You'll Be Responsible For:

• Fleet & Driver Operations: Lead company-owned fleet operations, driver management, dispatch, equipment utilisation, maintenance and DOT compliance.
• Rail Transportation: Oversee rail operations, carrier relationships, railcar availability, utilisation, routing, demurrage and service performance.
• Warehousing & Distribution: Manage warehouse operations, third-party storage providers, capacity planning, inventory movements and commercial agreements.
• Operational Improvement: Identify opportunities to reduce transportation costs, improve asset utilisation, strengthen service levels and optimise the wider logistics network.
• Leadership: Develop and support transportation teams, establish performance expectations and promote a strong safety culture.
• Commercial Management: Oversee logistics budgets, freight expenditure, carrier relationships, warehouse negotiations and operational KPIs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with manufacturing, supply chain, procurement and senior leadership to support a growing network of facilities.

What We're Looking For:

Ideally, you'll bring 10+ years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics or distribution, including substantial operational leadership responsibility.

We're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Hands-on experience managing company-owned fleets and drivers.
• Working knowledge of rail transportation and railcar operations.
• Experience managing warehousing, third-party providers and commercial storage agreements.
• Knowledge of bulk liquid, dry bulk or other industrial transportation environments.
• Strong understanding of DOT compliance, transportation safety and fleet maintenance.
• A track record of improving logistics costs, operational efficiency and service performance.
• The ability to lead teams and manage operations across multiple locations.

Your Industry Background:

Experience within food, dairy or ingredients manufacturing would be advantageous, but is not essential.

We would also welcome applications from professionals working in agricultural commodities, grain processing, chemical manufacturing, energy, bulk transportation and other industrial sectors.

What matters most is your ability to manage a complex logistics operation, combining fleet and driver leadership with rail and warehousing expertise.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is more than a traditional Logistics Manager position.

You'll be joining a growing, ambitious manufacturer investing in its people, facilities and operational capabilities.

The organisation has an accessible senior leadership team, encourages new ideas and provides opportunities for individuals who want to make a measurable difference.

You'll have the opportunity to shape logistics performance across an expanding manufacturing network, while positioning yourself for future Director-level responsibility.

Interested in finding out more?