Provide overall operational and financial leadership for the Kroger transportation network with full accountability for planning, directing, and optimizing all inbound and outbound transportation activities. Oversight includes store delivery and inbound vendor transportation, 3PL carrier strategy and selection, private fleet management, and all commercial and delivery vehicle maintenance operations. Responsible for developing and executing corporate transportation strategies, policies, and programs; communicating company positions on vendor freight programs; and leading enterprise procurement of transportation equipment, parts, and supplies. Additional responsibilities include global import transportation and DC operations, leadership of the Supply Chain Analytics team, vendor compliance charge calculation, and management of 3PL consolidation operations. Demonstrate the company's core values of respect, honesty, integrity, diversity, inclusion, and safety.
Responsibilities
- Oversee inbound and outbound transportation operations (i.e., Service, P&L, budget, strategy)
- Manage the weekly financial yield/profitability of existing business, fill rate of load commitments from vendors, and strategic identification of growing market share
- Oversee weekly vendor service compliance program; assess penalties for nonperformance of critical supply chain and merchant metrics related to fill rate, service, pallet quality
- Utilize weekly/monthly KPIs in order to maintain service, cost, capacity commitments of our carrier vendors
- Create and drive accountability for channel decisions processes with Buyer and Merchandising organizations; deliver network operational changes, including consolidation, DSD, and other initiatives
- Work cross-functionally with merchants, sourcing, and vendors to lower COGS by calculating supply chain cost and removal from the SKU base cost
- Oversee the day‑to‑day operational execution and weekly KPI reviews of national operations in order to meet the needs of the stores and merchants
- Launch and operationalize a new brokerage subsidiary to support Kroger transportation and provide for‑hire services, including hiring resources, implementing systems, and defining market strategy
- Lead ongoing network planning and design across multiple supply chain layers to identify gaps and capacity risks and develop near‑term solutions to meet store demand
- Supervise and coach direct reports in the performance of their duties; complete performance reviews and provide feedback to direct reports
- Must be able to perform the essential functions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field or equivalent relevant experience
- 10+ years of progressive supply chain/logistics experience with direct accountability for transportation operations (inbound/outbound) for a retailer or major consumer products company
- 7+ years practical experience in warehousing, supply chain, and general freight hauling, retail direct store delivery, and backhauling operations
- Proven experience leading multi‑site and/or national transportation programs and teams
- Demonstrated ability to lead large, diverse teams and influence senior stakeholders across Operations, Merchandising, Finance, Legal, Safety, and Procurement
- Previous senior leadership roles in Transportation at a major shipper/retailer, Procurement of Supply Chain Services or trucking with national responsibilities
- Demonstrated leadership in cross‑functional environments
- Proven ability to lead large teams and/or multiple leaders (managers of managers); ability to build accountability systems
- Executive communication skill: can translate complex operational issues into financial/service impact for senior leaders
- Strong change leadership skills; builds adoption, manages resistance, and sustains performance after implementation
Desired Qualifications
- MBA or advanced degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Finance, or Engineering
Job Info
- Job Identification 186242
- Job Category Executive
- Posting Date 04/20/2026, 04:52 PM
- Locations 2620 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville, TN, 37214, US (On‑site)
- Apply Before 04/30/2026, 04:52 PM
- Job Schedule Full time
- Line of Business Supply Chain & Distribution
Benefits
- A wide range of healthcare coverage, including affordable, comprehensive medical, dental, vision and prescription coverage, through company plans or collective bargaining agreement plans.
- Flexible scheduling in full‑ and part‑time roles with paid time off, including holiday and sick pay based on eligibility and length of service.
- Emotional and financial support with free counseling through our Employee Assistance Program and free, confidential financial tools and coaching.
- Valuable associate discounts on purchases, including food, travel, technology and so much more.
- Up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement over your career, through our industry‑leading Continuing Education program.
- Vast potential for growth, through an abundance of industry‑leading training programs and diverse career pathways.