Transportation Optimization Lead

Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc.; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. in Kansas City, MO is seeking a Transportation Optimization Lead to design and manage a distribution optimization plan.

You will work with transportation load planners, warehouse partners, manufacturing sites, inventory deployment teams, and carrier partners to route orders cost-effectively while maintaining service targets. You will drive continuous improvement across the network, maximize trailer utilization, analyze service failures, and participate in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4 years equivalent experience required.
• 4+ years of experience in refrigerated transportation or supply chain logistics preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication and analytical abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead a network of transportation planners across multiple sites and DCs.
• Drive continuous improvement of transportation processes, systems, and performance.
• Analyze recurring service issues and implement corrective actions.
• Maximize trailer utilization and optimize modes.
• Attend daily load plan reviews with centers to finalize optimal plans.
• Communicate with inventory deployment teams, DCs and carriers.
• Utilize Transportation Management System (TMS) for scheduling, reporting and analytics.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Cross-functional

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

TMS

Job description

Company Introduction:Lindt & Sprüngli is a Swiss chocolate manufacturer and recognized as a global leader in the market for premium chocolate, offering a large selection of products around the world. Lindt & Sprüngli looks back on a long-standing tradition of 175 years during which it has become known as one of the most innovative and creative companies making premium chocolate under the key brand Lindt.Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is the holding company of the US family of companies Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc. and Russell Stover Chocolates Inc. Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. offers a shared-services model acting as the Center of Excellence for the North American market by providing world-class Supply Chain, Project Management, Information Technology, and additional business services to the local entities.This is an exciting time to join our company as we are further accelerating the success story and market expansion over the next years. High performing, entrepreneurial, result driven and passionate employees are key success factors for Lindt & Sprüngli. We are warmly welcoming ambitious talents to join us.What Lindt & Sprüngli offers:A highly passionate team driven for successA fast-changing business environment and entrepreneurial mindsetCentral and prime office location in Kansas City next to the PlazaUS or international career opportunities within the Lindt GroupOpportunities to be involved in employee committeesA flexible work environment offering a hybrid modelMarket competitive compensation, annual bonus and benefitsAnd of course – delicious premium chocolate!Lindt & Sprungli wants employees who align to our core values:Excellence: You have passion for what you are doing and strive for excellenceInnovation: You are constantly looking for new and better ways to deliver successEntrepreneurship: You are empowered and accountable for your actions and resultsResponsibility: You act with integrity and treat everyone with respectCollaboration: You support your colleagues across disciplines, business segments and geographiesJob Description Summary:The Transportation Optimization Lead will manage activities relative to building a transportation operational plan that will support successful optimization of the distribution network. The role will work directly with transportation load planners, warehouse partners, manufacturing locations, inventory deployment teams, and carrier partners to execute end-to-end distribution optimization. The position determines the optimal route for orders to provide exceptional service at the lowest distribution cost. Will have continuous improvement responsibility over transportation network efficiency.Essential FunctionsLead and collaborate with Transportation Planners, overseeing a network of multiple manufacturing sites and/or multiple distribution centers.Demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset to drive process, system, and performance improvement across the network.Analyze recurring service failures and implement corrective actions.Responsible for maximizing trailer utilization, mode optimization, and plant/DC shipping and receiving constraintsNetwork analysis, sailing schedule optimization, and process improvement.Resolve escalated delivery issues and follow-up with ongoing communicationAttend daily load plan review calls with distribution centers to finalize optimal plan considering service targets, supply chain cost, and resource capacityEffectively communicate with inventory deployment teams, DCs, and carriersWork daily within Transportation Management System (TMS) for scheduling, reporting, and analyticsSpecial projects and duties as assigned by managementBasic QualificationsBachelor’s degree or 4 years equivalent experienceDemonstrated successful interaction with cross-functional teams and working with all levels of managementStrong written and verbal communication skillsProficient in Microsoft OfficeStrong analytical skillsWorking knowledge of TMSAbility to prioritize and organize assignmentsPreferred Qualifications4+ years of experience in refrigerated transportationBachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or LogisticsExperience in food and beverage/consumer-packaged goods industryCompany DescriptionLindt and Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is the Supply Chain and Business Shared Services Company supporting the Lindt & Sprüngli family of brands (Lindt USA, Ghirardelli Chocolates and Russell Stover Chocolates), headquartered in Kansas City, MO.Employment by Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is contingent upon I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, passing the urinalysis drug screen, and satisfactory employment and background checks.Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation and gender identity, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or any other status protected by law. Principals only, please.