Sr Manager Ecommerce Transportation

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Bolingbrook, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Imagine. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S. and a thriving supply chain network, there has never been a greater need for people of high initiative, of big-picture thinking, and adaptability to share in our journey. At Ulta Beauty, we have greater ambitions. Growing what works. Iterating in areas that have promise. Creating new offerings for industry advantage. In all of this is the opportunity to experience real impact, to effectuate change, to give wings to a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurism. Because the challenges are multi-faceted and ever-changing. But for those inspired by real-world demands that press and stretch, that call for new and smarter ideas, that require heavy doses of trust and respect, Ulta Beauty encourages you to imagine with us. THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE: The Senior Manager, Ecommerce Transportation is the operational leader of Ulta Beauty's ecommerce parcel delivery function — owning carrier relationships, team performance, ship-from-store (SFS) carrier network compliance, and the day-to-day execution that delivers the guest experience. This role is the Director's operational anchor who helps run the day-to-day business. The Sr. Manager leads a team of three transportation analysts and is accountable for coaching and developing them toward independent contributor capability. They own carrier quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with national, and all active regional carriers, and serve as the primary cross-functional interface with IT, Store Operations, and Supply Chain Planning on transportation-impacting changes. This is a build role, not a maintenance role. The Sr. Manager joins at a moment when the function is investing in new carrier partnerships, new analytics infrastructure, and a 3-year network density and delivery speed strategy. The right person brings the operational depth to run the business and the range to contribute actively to what the function is building.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations, or related field; Master's degree preferred.
8+ years of progressive experience in ecommerce transportation, parcel carrier management, or omnichannel fulfilment operations; minimum 3 years in a people leadership role.
Demonstrated track record of developing people — can name specific individuals developed, the interventions made, and where those people are now. This is the non-negotiable requirement for this role.
Deep expertise in ecommerce parcel carrier management including UPS, FedEx, USPS, and regional carriers — has led carrier QBRs independently, not attended them. Owns the commercial relationship and performance agenda.
Proven experience managing carrier performance gaps with data, escalating with specificity, and negotiating commercially as a peer to the carrier's account team.
Working knowledge of carrier contract mechanics: general rate increase (GRI) protection, dimensional weight (DIM) divisor, residential surcharge treatment, minimum commitment structures, and peak surcharge scope.
Understanding of hazmat routing requirements — fragrance, aerosol, and regulated product shipping compliance across multiple carrier services.
Proven experience owning a cross-functional programs with IT, operations, and external partner dependencies simultaneously.
Experience operating in an omnichannel fulfilment environment; understands the operational difference between DC fulfilment and store fulfilment and the carrier compliance implications of each.
Ability to influence without authority across functions — at Sr. Manager level, this person operates in rooms with VPs and Directors from Supply Chain, Digital, and Store Operations representing Transportation's position without the Director present.
Highly data-driven operator who can define a KPI framework, establish carrier data feeds, and build a scorecard that changes behavior — not just reports outcomes.
Distinguishes between a reporting culture and a diagnostic culture: can explain not just what a metric shows but why it moved and what to do about it.
Forward-thinking operator who embraces technology and data as tools for better decision-making — aware of how AI, predictive analytics, and carrier API integration are changing the transportation landscape and takes personal steps to build that literacy.
Can conform to shifting priorities and timelines while maintaining analytical rigor and proactively surfacing problems before they escalate.
Strong verbal and written communication skills — capable of translating operational complexity into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
Builds expert knowledge in retail transportation and supply chain and conveys that knowledge to the team; understands and supports best-in-class standards.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a high-performing transportation team — set clear performance expectations and development goals for three analysts, build a structured weekly operating cadence that creates coaching opportunities, and serve as the accountability layer between analysts and the Director. People development is the primary leadership mandate for this role.
Own end-to-end carrier relationship management — lead quarterly business reviews independently with national and all active regional carriers, presenting Ulta's performance data and leaving each QBR with documented carrier commitments. Manage carrier exceptions, compliance gaps, and performance escalations proactively and with urgency.
Drive SFS network compliance and carrier pilot execution — own same-day ship compliance, carrier pickup window adherence, and exception rate tracking across 1,000+ ship-from-store locations and serve as program owner for the expansion.
Partner with Process Owner to build and maintain the carrier scorecard and performance infrastructure — define OTD metrics internally and externally - and own the weekly transportation performance review cadence that drives accountability across all carriers and the team.
Manage carrier spend accountability and partner with internal teams to drive cost optimization — own cost-per-shipment tracking, surcharge management, and invoice audit for the annual parcel spend portfolio.
Operate as the primary Transportation interface with cross-functional partners — manage the working relationship with IT and 3rd party systems on carrier configuration and OMS routing changes, with Store Operations on SFS compliance and pickup window alignment, and with Supply Chain Planning on inbound replenishment and intraday capacity allocation.