Transportation Manager - JC Penney, Inc

Transportation Manager

This position will be based at Lenexa, KS Fulfillment Center and will report to the Regional Transportation Manager.  This position is a key member of the Domestic Transportation field team and partners closely with dedicated transportation providers, truckload/dray carriers, JCPenney Fulfillment Center operations, JCPenney Store Operations and Home Office Logistics Support to deliver world-class service to our distribution centers and stores.

This leader will drive the local execution of transportation strategies, policies & programs.  This includes monitoring the performance of the local dedicated transportation provider, inbound dray and linehaul carriers to ensure they meet contractual SLAs and budget expectations.  Support of the Fulfillment Center operations team is critical to ensure company initiatives and supply chain metrics are met.

The ideal candidate will be a self-driven, highly motivated and inquisitive leader who is comfortable working in a fast-paced, retail environment managing third party carrier relationships and developing partnerships inside and outside of the organization.  This leader will have the ability to influence others with superior communication skills.

The Transportation Manager will have one non-exempt direct report to help with the day to day duties.

Job responsibilities to include:

1. Manages local third party dedicated carrier and truckload/dray carriers to achieve efficient, reliable, and cost-effective transportation solutions.
2. Responsible for transportation execution of local dedicated carrier and truckload/dray carriers; timely resolution of problems that could impact flow of merchandise to stores; proactively develops contingency plans and manages crisis situations.
3. Proactively forecast, track and communicate surges in merchandise flows for the local dedicated carrier, truckload/dray carriers and Fulfillment Center operations allowing them the proper lead-time to develop capacity plans, particularly in peak season.
4. Analyzes carrier operations and cost data to benchmark service standards & determine service performance to ensure contracted service level agreements and budgeted local operating costs are being met; decisively develops plans for any gaps in performance.
5. Supports the development of carrier strategies and leads the local execution of transportation initiatives that will improve lead-time, cost, on-time service, and fleet trailer utilization.
6. Builds and maintains proactive communication with local carrier leadership to support mutually beneficial business relationships improving capabilities that support JCP business requirements and objectives.
7. Responsible for the Dedicated budget including performance KPIs and cost improvement opportunities.
8. Works closely with Fulfillment Center operations and Store Operations to deliver best in class service for JCPenney stores; primary contact for JCPenney stores within the service area of the Fulfillment Center.
9. Lead associate engagement initiatives to develop and broaden the scope of knowledge of the local Field Transportation team

Education/Experience:

Bachelor’s Degree in a business discipline from an accredited college preferred

Minimum 3-5 years of management experience in transportation or supply chain operations, preferably in the retail industry

Some travel required