Sourcing & Global Transportation Manager (Ocean, Air, Freight)

Sun Chemical Corporation; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) match

Paid time off

Job summary

Sun Chemical Corporation is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager (Global Category Manager) for Ocean and Air Freight in Chicago. Lead global sourcing, contract negotiations, and supplier performance across Sun Chemical and DIC operations worldwide.

The role focuses on developing sourcing strategies for transportation categories, managing carriers and 3PL/4PL providers, and driving cost competitiveness while improving service reliability. On-site in Chicago with cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 8 years of experience in logistics procurement, transportation sourcing, or logistics management.
• Experience negotiating and managing global transportation agreements (ocean/air freight, 3PL/4PL).
• Experience leading global freight sourcing, governance, and supplier management across regions.
• Knowledge of international transportation markets, carrier procurement practices, and freight benchmarking tools.
• Strong analytical, communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for ocean freight, air freight, freight forwarding, and 4PL services.
• Lead global sourcing events (RFQs/RFPs), supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations with DIC Group.
• Manage relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and 3PL/4PL providers to ensure service and cost goals.
• Conduct transportation spend analysis, market intelligence, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Drive route guide governance, compliance, and continuous improvement across global operations.
• Lead supplier accountability for freight claims, service failures, and quality issues.
• Develop and monitor transportation procurement KPIs and reporting.
• Collaborate with Logistics, Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Customer Service, Finance, and DIC Group.
• Support additional projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Procurement, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Primary Location: Chicago

Location: Chicago, US

Remote or On-Site: On-Site

Pay Ranges : $105,000 - $125,000

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION

Sun Chemical, a member of the DIC Group, is a leading producer of packaging and graphic solutions, color and display technologies, functional products, electronic materials, and products for the automotive and healthcare industries. Together with DIC, Sun Chemical is continuously working to promote and develop sustainable solutions to exceed customer expectations and better the world around us. With combined annual sales of more than $8.5 billion and 22,000+ employees worldwide, the DIC Group companies support a diverse collection of global customers.

Sun Chemical Corporation is a subsidiary of Sun Chemical Group Coöperatief U.A., the Netherlands, and is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey, U.S.A. For more information, please visit our website at www.sunchemical.com or connect with us on LinkedIn or Twitter

Strategic Sourcing Manager (Global Category Manager) – Ocean and Air Freight

Position Summary

Sun Chemical is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the global sourcing, supplier management, and commercial performance of transportation categories, including ocean freight (FCL/LCL), air freight, freight forwarding, and 4PL services.

This role is responsible for developing and executing global sourcing strategies, leading supplier selection and contract negotiations, managing transportation provider performance, and driving cost competitiveness, service reliability, and network optimization across Sun Chemical and DIC operations worldwide.

The Strategic Sourcing Manager collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders and transportation partners across Sun Chemical and DIC's global operations to develop and implement transportation strategies that improve service, optimize costs, strengthen supplier performance, and support business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global sourcing strategies for ocean freight, air freight, freight forwarding, and 4PL services.
• Lead global sourcing events, including RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, contract negotiations, and implementation activities in coordination with DIC Group.
• Manage strategic relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and 3PL/4PL providers to ensure strong service, cost, and performance outcomes.
• Conduct transportation spend analysis and evaluate market intelligence, freight benchmarks, capacity trends, and supplier performance to identify cost savings, cost avoidance, and network optimization opportunities.
• Drive route guide governance, compliance initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts across global operations.
• Lead supplier accountability efforts related to freight claims, service failures, transportation quality issues, and corrective action activities.
• Develop and monitor transportation procurement KPIs and reporting.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders across Logistics, Procurement, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Customer Service, Finance, and DIC Group to support transportation strategy and performance objectives.
• Support additional projects and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

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

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in logistics procurement, transportation sourcing, supply chain, or logistics management.
• Experience negotiating and managing global transportation agreements, including ocean freight (FCL/LCL), air freight, freight forwarding, and 3PL/4PL service providers.
• Experience leading global freight sourcing, implementation, governance, and supplier management initiatives across multiple regions.
• Knowledge of international transportation markets, carrier procurement practices, and freight benchmarking tools.
• Demonstrated success identifying and implementing cost savings, cost avoidance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong analytical, communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

Benefits

We offer a range of market-competitive total rewards that include merit increases, paid holidays, Paid Time Off, medical, dental, vision, short and long term disability benefits, 401(k)+match and life insurance. Eligibility of benefit timing may vary.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is Sun’s policy that applicants for employment are recruited, selected, and hired on the basis of individual merit and ability with respect to the position being filled. Sun prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Employment agencies are an important component of our talent acquisition strategy, and we value the partnerships we have built with our preferred vendors. We will not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at Sun Chemical or directly to hiring managers in any form without a signed contract on file, and search engagement for that position, will be deemed unsolicited in nature, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired as a result of the referral or through other means. Additionally, any resume submitted without a contract in place will be considered property of Sun Chemical and no fees will be paid to the agency if the candidate is hired.

Note:

The base pay range listed is a good-faith estimate of what Sun Chemical may offer to new hires for this position. Actual compensation may vary based based on a variety of factors, including the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), relevant experience, education, certifications, and alignment with the minimum job qualifications. Additional considerations may include prevailing wages in the work location and internal equity within Sun Chemical.