Freight Category Manager

The Partnership for Supply Chain Management Job Description

 

TITLE:                            Freight Category Manager 

REPORTS TO:             4PL Service Director  

LOCATION:               PMO NL - Woerden NL 

STATUS:                   Full-time 

 

Organization description 

The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) focuses on strengthening and managing secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable global supply chains to enhance health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries by increasing access to quality and affordable health products. We assist governments, non-profit organizations, commercial firms, and humanitarian agencies in achieving their public health objectives through cost-saving procurement, efficient logistics, pharma-grade storage, last-mile delivery solutions, and real-time data tracking. PFSCM is dedicated to customer satisfaction and service excellence, which is reflected in our adherence to an ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System and alignment with ISO 20400 for Sustainable Procurement, which underpins all our processes and services.

 

PFSCM, an affiliate of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), a leading international public health and education consultant company in the U.S., operates from its project management headquarters in Washington D.C., and has an operational facility in Woerden, Netherlands. Additionally, we leverage the extensive network of 25 JSI offices around the world, allowing us to access their technical and operational expertise.

 

PFSCM's global team includes a diverse array of professionals from various countries who contribute to the effectiveness of our services. This diversity enriches our ability to connect with clients and collaborate internally. We believe our mission can be achieved by fostering a purpose- and results-driven culture. We strive to create an environment where our values of collaboration, learning, proactivity, problem-solving, and outcome orientation are reflected in our daily work.

 

 

Overall responsibilities

The Freight Category Manager plays a vital role in the 4PL Services division, collaborating with other Units, including IT, Quality and Regulatory, Client Services, Strategic Sourcing, Logistics, and Finance. The main objectives are to execute a strategy that enables PFSCM to maintain a network of contracted 3PLs that deliver high-quality, differentiated services at low cost, and to ensure PFSCM operations produce accurate and reliable transport plans that positively contribute to the organization’s bottom line in a sustainable way. 

 

In this role, the Freight Category Manager is responsible for strategically overseeing PFSCM’s freight cost tools and processes, as well as the transportation network and service capabilities. This includes ensuring compliance with Good Distribution Practices (GDP) and aligning with internal quality standards and industry regulations. By managing a cluster of subject matter experts and leveraging advanced technologies, including Blue Yonder’s Transportation Management System (TMS) and AI-powered data analytics tools, the Manager will optimize load optimization, establish lead times, negotiate with carriers, and select the most efficient modes of transportation—whether truck, air, or sea. This approach not only drives profitability but also improves operational efficiency and elevates customer satisfaction. 

 

Specific responsibilities

Freight Category Strategy Update and Maintenance:

Utilize available tools to capture strategic sourcing approaches for transport services, analyze environmental and stakeholder challenges, and assess business requirements and suppliers to provide the most suitable solutions in a rapidly changing marketplace. Identify procurement levers that enable the 4PL Services Director to develop initiatives that meet PFSCM’s strategic objectives.  

 

Market Intelligence, Service and Cost Benchmarking:

Conduct market research to identify global supply chain trends and assess their impact on operations. Establish competitive pricing and service benchmarks and negotiate favorable terms with carriers.

 

Tactical Transport Procurement and lane allocation:

Oversee rate cards and lane allocation for the PPM project and other clients as directed by the 4PL Services Director and in collaboration with the Supply Chain Solutions Manager for NBD, Direct Clients, and non-PPM volumes. Maintain records and related communications within PFSCM’s supplier relationship management system. 

 

Transportation Planning:

Oversee timely and precise transportation planning operations, ensuring transport plans include cost-effective consolidation solutions, suitable transport modes, accurate calculations of country-specific expenses, safety margin compliance, and reasonable lead times, all aligned with the strategic goals of the 4PL business model.

 

End-End Freight Costs:

Oversee operational transport procurement and cost controls, which include managing transport planning budgets, shipment allocation, invoicing, and financial closeout. The Manager will evaluate and enhance key freight cost activities while providing strategic leadership for the ePO Modification process. By identifying opportunities for improvement, the Manager aims to reduce ePO modifications and expedite grant closeout times, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of our financial processes.

 

Operational Excellence and Efficiency:

Analyze shipping patterns, carrier contracts, and freight costs to identify cost savings. Use Blue Yonder for route, cost, and mode planning and optimization, and AI tools for automated freight cost calculations. Enhance shipment planning by collaborating with Client Services to consolidate shipments and select efficient transport modes.

 

Quality Compliance Management:

Develop and enforce compliance programs for the 4PL division, including Good Distribution Practice, hazardous materials handling, and insurance risk management. Act as the division's main point of contact for internal and external audits, maintaining thorough records and ensuring adherence to regulations.

 

Qualifications

Professional and Technical Knowledge

• Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field. 
• 10+ years of international management experience with a strong understanding of risk and insurance, preferably within a major international shipping and freight company. 
• Proven track record in the movement and protection of pharmaceutical goods and a strong knowledge of the regulatory challenges involved in providing an effective, reliable, and quality-assured distribution service in the developing world. 
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis and Freight Management Software (TMS). 
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing contracts and service-level agreements with 3PLs. 
• Proven experience in compliance management and freight optimization. 
• Strong project management, including the ability to manage projects cost-effectively; resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, and the ability to make sound decisions under pressing conditions. 
• Strong organizational skills with an eye for detail, the ability to plan, prioritize, and implement day-to-day operations in a timely manner in a fast-moving, dynamic, and time-bound environment. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with client relations and customer service experience, and the ability to work across disciplines and in diverse international locations. 
• Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations on project/program management and supply chain management. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including internal and external stakeholders. English fluency required. 
• Ability to work comfortably with Microsoft Office software, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Business process management tools are a plus. 
• Willingness and availability to travel and perform other duties as needed. 
• Must be eligible to work in the Netherlands. 
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Interpersonal skills/Communication 

• Excellent written and verbal communication, including presentation and interpersonal skills, with a strong sense of customer service. English fluency is required, with another business language preferred. 
• Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations on project and program management and supply chain management. 

Continuous improvement/Innovative 

• Experience leading continuous improvement initiatives and change management. 

 Priority Setting, Problem Solving, & Detail Orientation 

• Solution-oriented with attention to detail, accuracy, and efficiency, and able to meet tight deadlines.
• Able to work independently and manage competing priorities while maintaining consistent, high-quality performance standards.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work effectively in a team with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Must be willing to step in to provide support across the 4PL function when necessary to ensure seamless operations. 

Leadership / Strategic Thinking

• Proven ability to lead and collaborate with a diverse team of experts. 

Disclaimer:

PFSCM is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees and to fostering a workplace free from discrimination. We believe in upholding the values of individual merit, hard work, and excellence, and we actively oppose any practices that promote illegal preferences or actions in hiring, contracting, or other employment decisions or practices. We strive to create an environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, and we are dedicated to promoting a culture that recognizes and rewards individual initiative and achievements.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and unable to apply online for an available position, you may submit your request for reasonable accommodation by calling Human Resources at 617-482-9485.