LTL Procurement Manager

Purpose/Job Function:

The Procurement Manager is responsible for the development and implementation strategies for acquiring transportation services, negotiating contracts with carriers, managing supplier relationships, and optimizing transportation costs, while ensuring efficient, effective and reliable LTL network performance. In addition, this role is responsible for upholding our core values of ethics, engagement and excellence.

Essential Functions:

• Strategic Sourcing: Develop and implement transportation procurement strategies to meet business needs, including identifying potential carriers, conducting market research, and evaluating different transportation modes.
• Negotiation and Contract Management: Negotiate favorable contracts with carriers, ensuring competitive rates (linehaul, fuel, Accessorials, etc.) service levels, and terms and conditions.
• Carrier Performance Management: Monitor carrier performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement corrective actions to ensure reliability and efficiency.
• Cost Optimization: Analyze transportation costs, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement strategies to reduce transportation expenses.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, acting as a point of contact for issues and concerns.
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Track transportation performance metrics, analyze data to identify trends and opportunities, and generate reports to stakeholders.
• Compliance: Ensure compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards.
• Sales Support and Solution Design: Work closely with Sales and business leaders to develop solutions and pricing for new or expanding customer opportunities. Participate in customer-facing activities as necessary to act as SME for AFS.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Expert knowledge in LTL freight pricing and classification and operations
• Strong, existing relationships within the LTL carrier population
• Demonstrated buying and negotiation skills
• Advanced computer skills, specifically utilization of pivot tables within Excel
• Superior written and verbal communicate skills
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex documents
• Flexibility to respond to multiple deadlines and time management skills to prioritize work load effectively
• Analytical with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
• Robust knowledge of TMS, FAP, and procurement platforms.
• Knowledge of activity-based costing, LTL operations, NMFC, rate base applications, and tariff applications.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, logistics or other relevant field of study.
• 10 or more years buying or pricing LTL transportation services working for a shipper, 3PL, or LTL carrier.

Working Conditions: This position will be sitting in front of a computer for long hours at a time and may cause eye irritation or even muscle strain.

This position does not require any strenuous or physical activity.

Customary Work Hours: 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Position may require extended hours including evenings and weekends for special events.

AFS is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind: AFS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to provide employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.