Transportation General Manager - Logistics (Corporate 412 West)

Tyson Fresh Meats•Springdale, AR

About The Position

The Transportation General Manager provides strategic leadership for fleet sizing and utilization across company-controlled rail and truck assets, supporting operational efficiency and service continuity. The role oversees coordination of railcar maintenance with external repair partners to maintain compliance, reliability, and Federal Railroad Administration safety standards. It also champions transportation technology and automation initiatives and supports continuous improvement and change management. The position leads talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability. It compiles and analyzes budget and annual operating plan data for Bulk Operations; audits TAFC and CHFC activity; supports resolution of railcar and truck demurrage issues; manages vendor and lessor relationships and commercial terms; and reviews transportation-related invoices. The role prepares analysis for capital investment requests, audits railcar lease invoices, and partners with the Senior Manager on rail fleet composition decisions. The General Manager leads tactical bulk commodity trucking operations from 13 plants using tank and hopper equipment while maintaining beef and pork product separation for FSMA purposes. The role develops trucking strategies and schedules, works to reduce loading detention and forced trucking, manages more than $16 million in annual freight spend, expands the carrier base, administers carrier contracts through CMS, and manages customer, plant, and sales relationships. It also streamlines trucking processes and manages the group’s on-call schedule. The role collaborates with operations and strategy on rail and bulk transportation execution, reporting accuracy, and cost-reduction initiatives. It is accountable for financial objectives, proactive risk management and contingency planning, and fostering a high-performance culture through relationship-building, talent development, and modeling company values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, or a bachelor’s degree in a related field combined with at least 3 years of experience in logistics, finance, distribution, or transportation.
At least 3 years of experience in transportation operations.
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
Proficiency with FM mainframe, QMF, data tables, SQL/DB2 tables, and TES and FourKites, as well as experience working with supply chain operating systems.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to engage effectively with mid- to senior-level leadership.
Strong analytical capabilities and the ability to synthesize complex data to support decision-making.
Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and a results-oriented approach to problem-solving.
Willingness and ability to perform the physical requirements of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics.
Experience in rail operations, specialized transportation, or profit and loss management.
Experience managing rail and truckload transportation providers.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for fleet sizing and utilization across company-controlled rail and truck assets.
Coordinate railcar maintenance with external repair partners to maintain compliance, reliability, and FRA safety standards.
Champion technology and automation initiatives that improve transportation performance, visibility, and operational and financial insights.
Support continuous improvement and change management efforts.
Oversee talent development, succession planning, and organizational capability.
Compile and analyze budget and annual operating plan data for Bulk Operations.
Conduct quarterly audits of TAFC and CHFC activity to support timely and accurate freight cost adjustments for JST and hopper customers.
Support escalation and resolution of outstanding railcar and truck demurrage issues.
Manage vendor and lessor relationships and negotiate commercial terms and special pricing arrangements when appropriate.
Review and approve vendor invoices for running repairs, tank HM216 compliance, washouts, MRU, private empty car storage, and demurrage; escalate high-value invoices for leadership approval.
Prepare analysis and documentation for capital investment requests related to repairs and trucking projects.
Audit railcar lease invoices to validate shop credits and billing accuracy.
Partner with the Senior Manager on rail fleet composition analysis related to shop, wash, storage, and MRU decisions.
Lead and supervise bulk commodity trucking operations from 13 plants using tank and hopper equipment while maintaining beef and pork product separation requirements for FSMA purposes.
Develop and execute bulk commodity trucking strategies, including plant-level tank and hopper truck scheduling and reductions in loading detention and forced trucking.
Manage annual freight spend exceeding $16 million through rate comparisons, spot spend analysis, and accessorial charge reduction.
Expand the carrier base and manage carrier contracts through CMS.
Manage customer, plant, and sales relationships and resolve bulk commodity trucking issues.
Streamline bulk commodity trucking processes and manage the group’s on-call schedule.
Collaborate with operations and strategy on tactical rail operations and bulk transportation, multi-fleet reporting accuracy, and cost-reduction initiatives involving demurrage, detention, private car storage, no-bill, switch, and scale charges.
Deliver financial objectives by aligning team accountability, responsibilities, and performance expectations.
Strengthen organizational resilience through proactive risk management and contingency planning.
Foster a high-performance culture by building relationships, developing talent, and modeling company values.