TDMK-Manager, Transportation Procurement

KeHE Distributors, LLC•Naperville, IL

15d•Onsite

About The Position

The Transportation Procurement Manager for Trademark is responsible for developing and executing Trademark Transportation's procurement strategy across Truckload and Less Than Truckload transportation services. This leader will build and optimize a scalable carrier network, establish performance and compliance standards, and drive procurement excellence to support aggressive commercial growth objectives. Serving as the organization's transportation procurement subject matter expert, this role balances service, cost, capacity, and risk while ensuring carrier selection, onboarding, and performance management practices align with evolving regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and brokerage liability standards. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE's Mission, Vision, and Values.

Requirements

Demonstrated expertise in truckload procurement, carrier network development, transportation operations, and carrier negotiations.
Strong understanding of FMCSA regulations, carrier safety programs, transportation claims, fraud prevention, and brokerage compliance requirements.
Proven analytical, negotiation, relationship management, and leadership skills.
Strong communication and presentation skills both verbal and written.
Ability to lead, manage, and develop a team.
Knowledge of transportation risk management, carrier compliance programs, brokerage liability, and carrier performance management best practices.
Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, Transportation, or related field.
4+ years of transportation brokerage, carrier procurement, or related logistics experience.
1+ years of leadership experience managing carrier procurement, carrier sales, compliance, and/or transportation operations teams.

Nice To Haves

Experience managing multi-modal transportation procurement, including Truckload and LTL preferred.
Experience building procurement organizations within a high-growth brokerage environment.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute transportation procurement strategies across Truckload and LTL services to build and maintain a high-performing carrier network supporting customer growth, service expectations, and profitability.
Establish sourcing strategies, carrier segmentation models, and preferred carrier programs to improve capacity access and network resiliency.
Identify market trends, capacity risks, and emerging opportunities to proactively strengthen Trademark's transportation network, partnering with Sales, Pricing, and Operations leadership to align procurement strategies with customer requirements and growth initiatives.
Lead the development of scalable procurement processes, technology, and best practices that enable long-term growth.
Define, measure, and continuously improve procurement productivity, service, and financial performance metrics through carrier scorecards, KPIs, and reporting frameworks that drive accountability and informed decision-making.
Monitor network performance and lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on service reliability, risk mitigation, and margin preservation, using data and market intelligence to optimize procurement effectiveness and transportation spend.
Partner cross-functionally to improve execution, reduce service failures, and enhance the overall customer experience.
Lead carrier qualification, onboarding, monitoring, and compliance programs, establishing selection criteria around safety performance, insurance, reliability, financial stability, and fraud risk while maintaining expertise in FMCSA regulations and brokerage liability considerations.
Develop and strengthen processes that mitigate exposure to negligent selection, cargo theft, fraud, double brokering, and other transportation risks, including oversight of claims in partnership with Operations, Legal, and Risk Management to drive corrective action.
Continuously evaluate and enhance procurement governance to ensure compliance with customer requirements, contractual obligations, and internal policies.
Lead, coach, and develop Carrier Sales, Procurement, and Compliance teams by setting clear performance expectations, productivity standards, and individual development plans that drive accountability and continuous improvement.
Build onboarding, training, and career development programs that strengthen procurement expertise, negotiation skills, and risk awareness, while cultivating future leaders.
Foster a culture of operational excellence, customer service, compliance, and collaboration to support a scalable procurement organization aligned with Trademark's growth.