Transportation Optimization Lead

Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is seeking a Transportation Optimization Lead in Kansas City, MO to design and implement an optimized distribution network.

You will partner with transportation planners, warehouses, and carriers to plan routes that balance service targets with cost efficiency. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, daily TMS activity, and collaboration with manufacturing and inventory deployment teams in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4 years equivalent experience required.
• Proven cross-functional collaboration with multiple management levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Analytical thinker with ability to optimize transportation performance.
• Experience with Transportation Management System (TMS) is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead Transportation Planners across multiple sites to build an optimized distribution network.
• Drive continuous improvement of processes, systems, and performance across the network.
• Analyze recurring service failures and implement corrective actions.
• Maximize trailer utilization and optimize mode selection and shipping constraints.
• Perform network and sailing schedule analysis; drive process improvements.
• Resolve escalated delivery issues with proactive communication.
• Participate in daily load plan review calls with DCs to finalize plans.
• Communicate effectively with inventory deployment teams, DCs, and carriers.
• Utilize TMS daily for scheduling, reporting and analytics.
• Handle special projects and duties as assigned by management.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

Analytical skills

Microsoft Office

TMS experience

Prioritization & organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or Logistics

4 years equivalent experience

Tools

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 success
• A fast-changing business environment and entrepreneurial mindset
• Central and prime office location in Kansas City next to the Plaza US or international career opportunities within the Lindt Group
• Opportunities to be involved in employee committees
• A flexible work environment offering a hybrid model
• Market competitive compensation, annual bonus and benefits
• And of course - delicious premium chocolate!

Lindt & Sprüngli wants employees who align to our core values:

• Excellence: You have passion for what you are doing and strive for excellence
• Innovation: You are constantly looking for new and better ways to deliver success
• Entrepreneurship: You are empowered and accountable for your actions and results
• Responsibility: You act with integrity and treat everyone with respect
• Collaboration: You support your colleagues across disciplines, business segments and geographies

Job 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 Functions

• Lead 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 constraints.
• Network analysis, sailing schedule optimization, and process improvement.
• Resolve escalated delivery issues and follow-up with ongoing communication.
• Attend daily load plan review calls with distribution centers to finalize optimal plan considering service targets, supply chain cost, and resource capacity.
• Effectively communicate with inventory deployment teams, DCs, and carriers.
• Work daily within Transportation Management System (TMS) for scheduling, reporting, and analytics.
• Special projects and duties as assigned by management.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or 4 years equivalent experience
• Demonstrated successful interaction with cross-functional teams and working with all levels of management
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Strong analytical skills
• Working known TMS
• Ability to prioritize and organize assignments

Preferred Qualifications

4+ years of experience in refrigerated transportation Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or Logistics Experience in food and beverage/consumer-packaged goods industry

Company Description

Lindt & 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.

Looking to grow your career in a dynamic, international setting? Join the Lindt & Sprüngli Group! Together, we thrive to achieve our bold ambitions, powered by our purpose and unique culture of community and mutual support - rooted in a proud tradition, yet always evolving to stay ahead and set new standards.

Across our diverse local teams, we think globally and act locally - empowering people to grow, take ownership and shape a sustainable future together. We are a responsible employer of choice who provides an inspiring people experience. Together, we build trust, drive innovation, and grow - as individuals and as a business.

Lindt & Sprüngli has been enchanting the world with chocolate for over 180 years. The long-established Swiss company with its roots in Zurich is a global leader in the premium chocolate category. Lindt & Sprüngli produces quality chocolates today at its 12 factories in Europe and the USA. Its products are sold by 41 subsidiaries and branch offices in around 620 of its own stores as well as via a network of around 100 distributors around the globe. With around 15,500 employees, the Lindt & Sprüngli Group reported sales of CHF 5.92 billion in 2025. Our commitment to contributing to a sustainable tomorrow is a key element driving the company's actions and ambitions. Since 2008, the Lindt & Sprüngli Farming Program has been our Responsible Sourcing Standard for cocoa.