Director, Transportation

Danone•Louisville, CO

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

Danone is seeking a Director, Transportation based in White Plains, NY, or Louisville, CO. The role leads U.S. transportation strategy and execution as an integrated capability within the Supply Chain and Operations functions, supporting reliable service, continuous improvement, productivity, and the company’s long-term growth. The position is a member of the Logistics Leadership Team and oversees daily transportation operations while developing the strategic framework, roadmap, and network. The Director owns transportation spending across outbound, interplant, shuttle, and OS&D operations, including transportation components of rolling forecasts. The role is accountable for transportation service, cost, capacity, and operational performance, and for the performance of strategic third-party partners, including Uber Freight. It works with internal functions and external providers to improve end-to-end supply chain performance, safety, and customer and consumer outcomes. This is a hybrid role. Employees may work from home on a schedule agreed with their supervisor, but are expected to report to their assigned office at least three days per week. The stated salary range is $150,000–$220,000 USD, with the exact offer dependent on relevant experience, location, internal equity, and market conditions. Danone also offers a performance-based bonus and benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
12+ years of relevant logistics experience, preferably in consumer products.
8+ years of transportation/logistics experience, including 4+ years in transportation leadership roles.
Deep knowledge of refrigerated truckload, dedicated fleets, intermodal, LTL, shuttle, and specialty transportation operations.
Proven experience managing large transportation budgets and delivering measurable cost productivity.
Strong command of transportation KPIs, including on-time delivery, tender acceptance, cost per shipment, utilization, dwell time, claims, and safety.
Experience managing third-party logistics providers through governance, scorecards, and business reviews.
Proven ability to develop transportation strategies, optimize networks, balance cost and service, and lead continuous improvement.
Proficiency with transportation management systems, ERP platforms, real-time visibility tools, Power BI, and advanced analytics.
Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders and align stakeholders in a highly matrixed, cross-functional organization.
Strong people leadership experience, including team building, talent development, performance management, and succession planning.
Excellent executive communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
Deep supply chain expertise, including inventory control, transportation, and distribution.
Entrepreneurial mindset and strategic thinking to optimize supply chains and improve efficiency.
Proven ability to build relationships and influence senior leadership decisions.
Ability to negotiate change and compromise across multiple levels of Operations and influence stakeholders in a highly matrixed environment.
Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, business-case development, and productivity tracking.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree preferred.
Process improvement or Lean Six Sigma certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead Danone U.S. transportation strategy and execution as an integrated capability.
Develop service-focused operating plans that drive continuous improvement and net productivity across transportation operations.
Oversee daily operations and develop the strategic framework, roadmap, and network to support Danone North America’s long-term growth.
Serve as a member of the Logistics Leadership Team.
Own transportation spending across outbound, interplant, shuttle, and OS&D operations, and deliver the transportation components of rolling forecasts.
Own transportation operations strategy and execution, driving service, cost, capacity, and operational performance and accountability across strategic third-party partners, including Uber Freight.
Establish governance, business reviews, and corrective-action processes with carriers, third-party logistics providers, and internal stakeholders.
Improve on-time delivery, tender acceptance, cost per shipment, utilization, claims, dwell time, and transportation safety.
Optimize the transportation network through mode shifts, route redesign, load consolidation, backhaul development, and dynamic capacity planning.
Implement and continuously improve processes, KPIs, and scorecards to strengthen accountability and results.
Partner with Logistics Procurement to lead carrier sourcing, contract negotiations, bid events, and capacity strategies across refrigerated truckload, dedicated, intermodal, LTL, and specialty transportation.
Balance cost and service to meet customer and consumer expectations.
Collaborate with Customer Operations, Sales, Supply Planning, Warehousing, Procurement, Finance, and Manufacturing to improve end-to-end supply chain performance.
Advance transportation technology and data capabilities, including transportation management systems, real-time visibility, predictive analytics, automation, and reporting.
Lead talent management and development across the function.