Job Title: Transportation Network Lead
Location: Deerfield, IL
Job Type: Contract
Expected hours per week: 40 hours per week
Schedule: Monday–Friday
Pay Range: $40 – $42 an hr
Job Description
A leading organization is transforming its U.S. transportation network by expanding 3PL partnerships and adding targeted contractor support to ensure seamless execution of its transportation strategy. We’re seeking a Transportation Network Lead (Contract) to help manage critical elements of a newly implemented, 3PL-supported transportation model.
This role is ideal for a transportation professional who thrives in fast-paced change environments, brings strong analytical capability, and has hands-on experience working within or alongside 3PL and carrier networks during network transitions. You’ll play a key role in transportation planning, RFP execution support, and operational performance management planning—helping translate strategy into executable operating plans.
What You’ll Do
- Provide functional leadership for assigned elements of the U.S. transportation plan, including Last Mile Distribution, Replenishment, and International replenishment within a new 3PL network model.
- Support transportation RFP execution, including requirements definition, scope clarification, SOP documentation, bid evaluation support, and onboarding activities.
- Partner closely with 3PL providers and carriers to translate transportation strategy into executable operating plans.
- Support development and deployment of transportation service offerings (e.g., white glove, stock rotation, returns, specialized delivery requirements).
- Identify and evaluate routes, modes, and providers to optimize cost, speed, reliability, and capacity during network transition.
- Manage tactical execution across transportation modes, ensuring adherence to route guides and standard work.
- Monitor and manage carrier and 3PL KPIs, including:
- Tender acceptance %
- On-time pickup and delivery %
- Route guide compliance
- Exception and escalation performance
- Perform detailed data collection, reporting, and analysis to identify financial, service, and margin improvement opportunities.
- Collaborate with Warehouse, Network Design, Planning, and Customer Service teams to ensure transportation execution aligns with finalized network decisions.
- Prepare and present clear, action-oriented updates for transportation leadership—highlighting risks, trends, and recommendations.
- Support stabilization and continuous improvement activities following go-live of new 3PL network components.
Contract Role Scope (Important Notes)
- Individual contributor role; no direct people management responsibilities.
- Emphasis on execution, implementation, and operational oversight (not long-term organizational ownership).
- Role duration and scope may adjust based on network transformation milestones.
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree plus 5+ years of experience in transportation, supply chain, or logistics operations.
- Strong knowledge of the U.S. transportation market, carriers, and multi-mode execution (parcel, LTL, truckload, intermodal); ocean exposure preferred.
- Proven experience working with or managing transportation activity in operational environments.
- Demonstrated expertise pulling, validating, analyzing, and presenting transportation data to support decision-making.
- Experience supporting transportation RFPs, SOP development, carrier onboarding, and performance management.
- Familiarity with TMS platforms (Blue Yonder preferred) and ERP systems (JDE a plus).
- Strong financial/business acumen with ability to balance cost, service, and risk.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, change-driven environment.
- Strong project management skills.
#LI-JD1
#INDOEM