What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager Transportation position at The Cook & Boardman Group, LLC?
The Transportation Category Manager develops and implements strategies to optimize transportation processes and cost management across freight management (3PL), parcel, LTL, truckload, and local couriers. The Transportation Category Manager drives cost reduction, process improvement, and strategic sourcing while acting as the primary liaison between corporate leadership, branch teams, and external providers.
Essential Functions
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and see. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hand to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Frequent lifting required of items 5-25 pounds, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work Environment
This job operates in both a professional office and warehouse environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. May occasionally require driving to project sites. Conditions will include proximity to forklifts or other heavy machinery and using various tools and hardware. Subject to frequent heavy lifting. May be exposed to variable weather conditions, including hot and cold temperatures.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EOE Minorities/Females/Disability/Veterans; VEVRAA Federal Contractor
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
Essential Functions
- Act as the subject matter expert for transportation, leading corporate commodity management strategies and initiatives across all branches.
- Develop, maintain, and track performance metrics and KPIs.
- Lead cost-reduction efforts through savings projects and process improvements based on cross-functional input.
- Oversee category sourcing strategies, RFPs, carrier agreements, and contract negotiations.
- Report monthly transportation savings and ensure optimization with preferred carriers.
- Manage relationships with carriers and service providers, conduct reviews and ensure internal requirements are met.
- Support branch-specific budgeting and stay updated on market conditions and industry trends.
- Sustainable category management and reporting.
- Transportation savings from corporate and branch initiatives.
- Key performance metrics including freight spend as a percentage of sales, freight spend vs. budget, and utilization of low-cost carriers.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Transportation (preferred).
- 7 years’ experience in transportation management (parcel, LTL, truckload, and 3PL services).
- Experience in a multi-site, matrix organization with a track record of driving continuous improvement.
- Strong negotiation, project management, problem-solving, and communication skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Power BI.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear and see. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hand to handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. Frequent lifting required of items 5-25 pounds, and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Work Environment
This job operates in both a professional office and warehouse environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. May occasionally require driving to project sites. Conditions will include proximity to forklifts or other heavy machinery and using various tools and hardware. Subject to frequent heavy lifting. May be exposed to variable weather conditions, including hot and cold temperatures.
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EOE Minorities/Females/Disability/Veterans; VEVRAA Federal Contractor
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
