Manager, Procurement - Transportation

Smithfield Foods • Suffolk, VA

122d

About The Position

As the Manager, Procurement – Transportation, you will lead the sourcing and procurement of transportation services to ensure cost-effective, reliable, and compliant logistics solutions. You will manage carrier relationships, negotiate contracts, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to align transportation strategies with business goals. You will analyze freight spend, monitor service performance, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and support operational excellence across the supply chain.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
• Strong knowledge of transportation operations, fleet management, and the logistics vendor landscape.
• Experience with ERP and procurement platforms such as SAP, Oracle, or Coupa.
• Proven ability to analyze freight spend, negotiate carrier contracts, and collaborate cross-functionally.
• Demonstrated success in leading transportation-related projects and supporting cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to engage with internal teams and external partners.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while fostering respectful, approachable, and team-oriented relationships.
• Willingness to travel at least 10% to support vendor management, site visits, and project execution.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for transportation services, fleet assets, and third-party logistics providers.
• Negotiate contracts and maintain strong relationships with carriers, equipment suppliers, and service providers.
• Collaborate with logistics, safety, and operations teams to forecast transportation needs and support business objectives.
• Monitor vendor performance and enforce compliance with service-level agreements, safety standards, and delivery schedules.
• Review procurement data to identify cost-saving opportunities, streamline processes, and consolidate suppliers.
• Contribute to transportation network optimization, fleet upgrades, and infrastructure improvements through strategic sourcing.
• Maintain adherence to internal procurement policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Drive a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

Benefits

• Comprehensive training and professional development programs.
• Tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs.
• Apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning.
• Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Education Reimbursement Program for team members pursuing further education.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees