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Supply Chain Manager, Middle Mile and Last Mile Transportation

Supply Chain Manager, Middle Mile and Last Mile Transportation

Weee!Fremont, CA, US
30+ days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Supply Chain Manager, Middle Mile and Last Mile Transportation

We are seeking a highly organized and results-driven Supply Chain Middle Mile and Last Mile Transportation Manager to oversee the movement of goods from suppliers to distribution centers and fulfillment centers to delivery hubs and directly to customers. This role will manage the end-to-end transportation strategy, execution, cold chain carrier relationships, and operational performance across both middle mile and last mile networks. In the context of grocery e-commerce, this includes time-sensitive, temperature-controlled deliveries with a relentless focus on freshness, safety, and customer satisfaction.

You will lead a team of transportation supply chain analysts and work cross-functionally to ensure a seamless, efficient, and scalable delivery operation that meets both service-level agreements and cost targets.

Responsibilities

Overall

  • Manage transportation operations, including carrier relationships, route optimization, and cost control to ensure on-time deliveries and cost savings
  • Continuously identify areas for process improvement within the network to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs
  • Conduct data analysis to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for optimization in supply chain operations
  • Evaluate and optimize inventory levels, distribution networks, and transportation routes to minimize costs and maximize operational efficiency
  • Build dashboards, self-service tools, and ad hoc reports to analyze and present data associated with business operations, and strategic decision making
  • Identify actionable insights, recommend business actions, and influence the direction of the business by effectively communicating metrics and results to stakeholders

Middle Mile & Linehaul Operations

  • Design, manage, and optimize transportation routes between fulfillment centers, distribution centers, and cross-dock facilities, ensuring capacity availability and cost-efficiency.
  • Oversee cold chain linehaul movements, ensuring strict adherence to temperature standards, chain of custody protocols, and product quality preservation.
  • Plan and execute spoke-to-hub consolidation strategies to improve trailer utilization and delivery frequency.
  • Manage contracts, performance, and compliance of carriers, including dedicated and spot capacity providers.
  • Monitor real-time movement of loads via TMS, GPS, and ELD integrations to ensure on-time performance and visibility.
  • Continuously analyze route density, dwell time, mileage efficiency, and linehaul cost per mile / unit to improve productivity.
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive network strategy that aligns with the company's growth objectives, ensuring we can meet customer demand effectively

    • Last Mile Operations

  • Build and manage last mile delivery networks, including courier services, and 3PL providers.
  • Drive operational excellence in final-mile grocery delivery, ensuring service-level adherence, temperature integrity, and high customer satisfaction.
  • Optimize routing and delivery time windows for perishable products to minimize delivery failures and reduce spoilage risk.
  • Partner with customer service to resolve escalations and improve delivery reliability and NPS scores.

    • Carrier Management

  • Lead carrier selection, rate negotiations, and contract execution for both middle mile (linehaul) and last mile transportation partners.
  • Implement a carrier diversification strategy to reduce risk, improve service flexibility, and manage capacity constraints.
  • Manage relationships with third-party logistics providers, carriers, and other partners to ensure service levels are met
  • Develop and maintain strong partnerships with regional and national carriers, including those with cold chain capabilities.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives with carriers focused on performance KPIs such as on-time delivery, temperature compliance, exception resolution, and cost control.
  • Manage RFQ processes, benchmark market rates, and monitor fuel surcharges to ensure cost competitiveness.
  • Oversee freight billing, auditing, and dispute resolution to ensure accurate invoicing and eliminate overcharges or duplicate payments.
  • Administer carrier claims management processes, including loss, damage, and service failure claims, ensuring timely resolution and recovery.
  • Ensure all carrier agreements meet service level, safety, compliance, and food safety standards (e.g., FSMA, HACCP).

    • Team & Cross-Functional Leadership

  • Build and lead a team of 3-5 members of network planning and logistics professionals, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship
  • Lead and mentor a team of transportation analysts, responsible for routing optimization, carrier performance tracking, service-level reporting, and operational analytics.
  • Act as the transportation system owner, collaborating closely with product managers, engineers, and data science teams to design, build, and enhance scalable tools for real-time tracking, route planning, dispatch visibility, exception alerts, and delivery performance monitoring.
  • Serve as the visionary leader for future-state transportation solutions, identifying system gaps and creating roadmaps for automation, intelligent dispatching, and predictive planning tools that align with business growth and customer expectations.
  • Drive development and implementation of transportation technology products, including enhancements to TMS platforms, custom APIs for carrier integration, and optimization engines for cold chain and last mile routing. Collaborate with supply planning, fulfillment operations, inventory, and customer service teams to ensure transportation strategies align with upstream and downstream operational goals.
  • Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making, continuous improvement, and cross-functional alignment across logistics, tech, and business teams.

    • Financial Management & Strategy

  • Own the transportation P&L, with emphasis on middle mile, linehaul, and last mile cost control, and budget forecasting.
  • Identify and drive strategic cost-saving opportunities in fuel efficiency, trailer turns, route balancing, and carrier sourcing.
  • Monitor and control operational expenses to meet budgetary goals while maintaining service quality
  • Assess new markets and volume growth projections to proactively scale linehaul and delivery network capacity.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams to model different transportation cost structures and service trade-offs to support customer growth and delivery innovation.

    • Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field; MBA or equivalent preferred.
  • 8+ years of progressive transportation / logistics experience, with at least 3 years in grocery e-commerce or cold chain operations.
  • Strong background in linehaul operations, carrier management, and cold chain logistics for perishable goods.
  • Demonstrated success managing temperature-controlled freight, from long-haul movements to doorstep delivery.
  • Proven experience leading a team of transportation analysts, with a focus on performance management and professional development.
  • Deep knowledge of TMS platforms, route optimization tools, and carrier visibility solutions (e.g., FourKites, Project44, Descartes).
  • Excellent analytical, leadership, and cross-functional communication skills.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data-driven insights to make strategic decisions
  • Strong proficiency in Excel, SQL, and dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
  • Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, adapting to changing market conditions and business needs
  • A strategic mindset with the ability to develop and execute long-term plans while balancing short-term priorities
  • Structured and organized thinker who can drive analytical projects to completion with minimal direction; intense analytical ability, attention to detail and ability to deep-dive when necessary
  • Excellent analytical, organizational, and written / verbal communication skills
  • Knowledge of FSMA, HACCP, and other food safety compliance standards related to transportation is a plus

    • Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance package, including medical, dental, and vision. PPO / HMO packages
  • 401k, 4% company match
  • Equity and Bonus
  • Vacation, sick and holiday time off
  • Monthly mobile stipend
  • Monthly Weee! Points credits

    • Compensation Range

  • The US base salary range for this full-time position is $120,000 - $150,000
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    Supply Chain Manager • Fremont, CA, US