Lead, Supply Chain & Logistics Operations

Bridgestone Americas • Nashville, TN

3d

About The Position

Firestone Airide is seeking a supply chain and logistics operations lead to manage freight and warehousing activities across its Americas operations. The role oversees freight arrangements with annual spend of up to $10 million, including contracted third-party truckload and LTL services, directly managed freight, ocean and parcel services, and premium freight for all locations. The position serves as a key contact for carriers, suppliers, plants, customers, finance, and IT, and is responsible for carrier selection, contracts, freight tracking and claims, payment coding, cost controls, reporting, and compliance.

The position also owns new freight vendor selection and setup in SAP, supports vendor contract negotiations, advises teams on freight terms and costs, and contributes to freight and warehouse strategies and annual budgeting. It champions continuous improvement in freight and warehousing, supports effective use of SAP Sales and Distribution and warehouse functions, and helps establish best practices for picking, labeling, shipping, ASN usage, and returnable-container processing. Domestic and international travel of 10%–15% is required.

Requirements

• Typically, at least 6 years of related experience with a bachelor's degree; or 4 years with a master's degree; or a PhD with 3 years of experience; equivalent work experience is also accepted.
• Passion for continuous improvement.
• Ability to work independently and learn with limited instruction.
• Ability to collaborate with customers, internal Customer Service, Planning, Finance, and manufacturing plants.
• SAP exposure or expertise, specifically in warehouse operations, freight, and standard reporting.
• Ability to work with the SAP and IT teams on best practices and upgrades for freight and warehousing operations.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to RF gun usage, inventory management, cycle counts, and SAP-related best practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage freight for a global business with annual spend of up to $10 million, maintaining freight routing guides and maps for North American customers and suppliers and targeting the lowest possible cost in the Americas.
• Manage contracted truckload and LTL freight relationships, serving as the primary contact for data transfer, contract resolution, freight claims, carrier selection, and shipment tracking.
• Directly manage approximately 40% of freight costs, including ocean freight and customs brokerage, container fees, storage, and UPS and FedEx parcel contracts.
• Manage all premium freight for all locations, including arranging shipments and controlling costs.
• Create monthly premium-freight cost reports for cost control and IATF compliance.
• Link freight payments to sales channels, working with the FSA finance team on monthly coding requirements and helping determine monthly freight accruals.
• Ensure processes prevent or reduce carrier billing errors and audit routing-guide and mode-usage compliance.
• Own new freight vendor selection and setup in SAP and with external providers; create vendor contracts and negotiate costs in partnership with legal.
• Assist with fork-truck standards and leases, outside warehouse contacts, and safety systems as needed.
• Train and assist sales, customer service, and global plants on inbound and outbound freight and INCO terms.
• Support new-customer onboarding and develop freight cost estimates for new programs during project quoting.
• Inform freight and warehouse cost-management strategies and contribute to the annual operating budget.
• Lead continuous improvement for freight and warehousing and promote best practices.
• Serve as an interface to OEM customers regarding outbound freight and related SAP processes; use SAP Handling Units to assist with delivery disputes and lost-freight issues.
• Help ensure warehouses use SAP efficiently, run SAP reports, and provide data to internal auditors.
• Promote best practices in order picking, labeling, shipping, ASN usage, and inbound returnable-container processing.
• Travel domestically and internationally 10%–15%.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Supportive onboarding experience.
• Training and regular mentorship for development and growth.
• Corporate Social Responsibility activities.
• Global, dynamic, and challenging work environment.
• Agility and work/life effectiveness, with a focus on long-term well-being.
• Inclusive team.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior