Transportation Sourcing Manager

Socket.dev; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Socket.dev is seeking a Transportation Sourcing Manager in Duluth, GA to lead strategic sourcing for transportation services, including truckload, LTL, and intermodal. You will develop sourcing plans, negotiate with carriers, manage supplier relationships, and analyze costs to drive savings.

The role requires strong analytic, negotiation, and communication skills, with experience in freight payables, RFx processes, and cross‑functional teams. This position reports to the Director of Supply Chain.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field.
• 5–7 years of experience as a Transportation Sourcing leader or similar role.
• 3–5 years of experience in RFP/RFQ process to negotiate contracts with carriers.
• Experience leading freight payables approval and reconciliation process.
• Experience working with large, cross-functional teams.
• Extensive knowledge of transportation and strategic sourcing.
• Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to prepare cost analysis, ad‑hoc reports, and apply analytical decision‑making processes.
• Strong data analytic skills with demonstrated experience in data analysis and statistics that will provide key insights into freight cost management.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills.
• Demonstrates strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to adapt to change.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, and planning skills.
• Experience working in a fast paced and high‑volume work environment.
• Proactive “self‑starter” with a strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, enabling effective interaction with employees at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes strategic sourcing plans for transportation modes (e.g., Truckload, LTL, Ocean, Dray).
• Negotiates MSAs and site‑specific addenda with transportation carriers or other service providers to secure the lowest possible price while maintaining service quality.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key vendors and evaluates performance.
• Analyzes spend data and provides financial recommendations; tracks savings.
• Conducts market research on transportation services to support sourcing decisions.
• Manages sourcing projects including RFx development and stakeholder communication.
• Collaborates with Purchasing, Operations, and Manufacturing to align sourcing strategies.
• Ensures accuracy of freight tariffs and related charges for P&L reporting.
• Oversees the freight payables process and related communications.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Data analysis

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

MS Office

Cost analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field

Tools

JDE

WMS

TMS

ERP software

Job description

Job Description

Job Details

• Job Title: Transportation Sourcing Manager
• Job Code: TRANSOURCMGR
• Department: Supply Chain
• Location: Duluth, GA
• Reports To: Director of Supply Chain
• FLSA Classification: Exempt
• EEOC Classification: Professionals
• Salary Grade:
• Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes No

Job Summary

The primary responsibility of the Transportation Sourcing Manager is to lead strategic sourcing initiatives for transportation services, such as truckload, LTL, Small Parcel, and intermodal. The key duties for this role include developing and executing sourcing plans, negotiating with carriers for favorable pricing and service, managing vendor relationships, and conducting financial and market analysis to identify cost‑saving opportunities. This role requires strong analytical, communication, and project management skills, as well as experience in transportation and distribution operations. Additionally, the Transportation Sourcing Manager will play a leading role for the Operations team in other non‑inventory sourcing initiatives such as CapEx equipment, fleet or facility leases, MRO, or services.

Essential Duties

• Develops and executes strategic sourcing plans for various transportation modes (e.g., Truckload, LTL, Ocean, Dray). Builds category strategies for multi-site manufacturing, distribution, or operations‑critical spend.
• Negotiates Master Service Agreements (MSA) and site‑specific addenda with transportation carriers or other service providers to secure the lowest possible price while maintaining service quality. Manages contract lifecycle—renewals, extensions, change orders—ensuring terms reflect evolving throughput and site expansion or consolidation.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key vendors, evaluates their performance, and resolves issues related to product quality, delivery, and other service aspects. Conducts supplier risk assessments and implement plans to mitigate risks where needed.
• Analyzes spend data, assists with total cost of ownership analysis, and provides financial recommendations. Drives cost savings programs and track realized savings or cost avoidance.
• Conducts research on the supply market for transportation or other services and presents findings and insights to support sourcing decisions.
• Manages sourcing projects, including timeline management, RFx (request for information/proposal) development, and communication with internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Collaborates with other departments, such as Purchasing, Operations, and Manufacturing, to align sourcing strategies with business needs and ensure smooth transitions.
• Ensures accuracy of freight contract tariffs, rates, and related charges agreed upon by the company to maintain internal freight accrual accuracy for P&L reporting.
• Oversees the freight payables process, performance of freight payables service provider, and communication of exceptions.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, Abilities and Educational Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration or related field
• 5 – 7 years of experience as a Transportation Sourcing leader or similar role
• 3 – 5 years of experience in RFP/RFQ process to negotiate contracts with carriers
• Experience leading freight payables approval and reconciliation process
• Experience working with large, cross-functional teams
• Extensive knowledge of both transportation and strategic sourcing
• Intermediate experience utilizing computer software such as Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to prepare cost analysis, ad‑hoc reports, and apply analytical decision‑making processes
• Strong data analytic skills with demonstrated experience in data analysis and statistics that will provide key insights into freight cost management
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills
• Demonstrates strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to adapt to change
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, and planning skills
• Experience working in a fast paced and high‑volume work environment
• Proactive “self‑starter” with a strong attention to detail
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, enabling effective interaction with employees on all levels, including executive leadership, as well as carriers and customers

Preferred

• Knowledge of JDE, WMS, TMS, and ERP software or similar applications
• 8 - 10 years of experience in the supply chain logistics area

Inter-Relationships

Consistent interaction with multiple levels of management depending on assigned facility. Regularly interacts with all levels of employees including production, drivers, and other distribution employees. May interact with third party drivers or distribution channel personnel.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

Work Environment

This position works in a general distribution or manufacturing environment. Frequently exposed to seasonal temperatures of excessive cold or heat. Work environment is often loud, dusty and/or dirty due to the materials required for production.

Physical Demands

Hear

Frequent

See

Frequent

Sit

Frequent

Talk

Frequent

Type

Frequent

Stand

Frequent

Walk

Frequent

Bend

Occasional

Stoop

Occasional

Reach

Occasional

Drive

Occasional

Repetitive Motions

Occasional

Physical Work

Medium – 10 - 25lb

10-25%

Travel Required

Yes, 0– 20%

Additional Information

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel.

Job duties outlined in this job description are considered “Essential Functions” and have been formulated in accordance with the guidelines established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The provisions of the American with Disabilities Act (1990) stipulate that employees must be capable of performing the “Essential Functions” of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the “Essential Functions”.

DiversiTech is an Equal Opportunity Employer.