Director, Logistics

About the role

The Logistics Director reports to the Vice President, Supply Chain at Crown Bakeries. This is a key position in the Supply Chain function responsible for the strategy and execution of warehouse, transportation, and distribution activities, including storage, transportation, and distribution of packaging, ingredients, and finished goods. Working under the VP, Supply & Logistics, the role provides onsite leadership to ensure transportation, storage, and distribution activities meet safety, quality, delivery, cost, and housekeeping objectives that support strategic growth initiatives across all manufacturing locations.

This job operates in a production plant, shipping area, and office environment. The employee is occasionally exposed to facility elements such as noise, dust, fumes, and odors. The role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines.

Responsibilities

• Direct the strategy and execution of warehouse, transportation, and distribution activities, including collaborating closely with suppliers and customers to build strong, long‑lasting relationships. (15%)
• Direct sourcing and cost negotiation activities with carriers and third‑party warehousing to set shipping and storage rates for inbound materials and product distribution; negotiate the best “total cost of ownership” to include price, quality, and service levels. (15%)
• Direct cold storage activities at Crown Bakeries company‑owned Cold Storage of Nashville (CSN) operations – a 24/7 operation with 25 employees – managing staffing, training, inbound, storage, outbound, cycle counting, and inventory consolidation needs. (15%)
• Manage dedicated transportation supplier shuttle needs for the company, managing resources as needed to maintain schedules. (15%)
• Manage the delivery process of products including inbound, shuttles, and outbound freight; collaborate with facility materials manager and customer support to ensure products arrive on time and in full. (15%)
• Manage and support the development of direct and indirect employees; partner with human resources to develop succession plans; identify training needs, develop training content, and execute training plans. (10%)
• Collaborate with shipping managers, plant managers, customer support, carriers, third‑party suppliers, and department leaders to ensure logistics run smoothly, products turn properly based on age, and continually improve the supply chain. (10%)
• Develop, recommend, and execute transportation, distribution, and storage best practices to align with company priorities as outlined by the VP, Supply & Logistics. (5%)
• Recommend, execute, manage, and report inbound, outbound, shuttle, cold storage, and CSN budgets; complete monthly P&L reviews and budget reforecasts as needed. (5%)
• Lead transportation RFPs, carrier sourcing, lane negotiation, and carrier selections; lead third‑party storage sourcing, negotiations, and selection; manage complaints, claims, and service failures to successful resolution. (5%)
• Develop the plan and strategy for future growth for finished goods storage and distribution. (5%)
• Identify, recommend, and implement goals and KPIs for the department and direct reports; provide weekly and monthly goals and project updates; lead and participate in relevant company meetings; maintain knowledge of emerging technologies and trends in logistics operations and management; understand the entire distribution and procurement process to develop efficiencies and cost reductions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the VP, Supply & Logistics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, logistics, operations engineering, supply chain management, or another similar‑related field; experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• 7+ years’ experience working in the logistics field.
• Bakery manufacturing experience is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting logistics for a multi‑site manufacturing company is strongly preferred.
• CSCP, Lean, Six Sigma certifications preferred.

Skills

• Good working knowledge of the consumer goods industry, in particular baking ingredients.
• Exceptional analytical skills and critical thinking; must think strategically yet operate collaboratively across functions and departments to gather data and develop fact‑based analysis.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to interact effectively at all levels of the organization.
• Entrepreneurial mind‑set, with a high tolerance for ambiguity and complexity; ability to be efficient with limited resources.
• Strong overall business acumen and creative thinking along with problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Organizational agility and resourcefulness; self‑starter.
• Strong time management skills and experience working with high‑volume data.
• Proven track record as a developer of talent.