Senior Manager Strategic Sourcing

Lindt & Sprüngli is a Swiss chocolate manufacturer with a rich history dating back 175 years. As a global leader in premium chocolate, Lindt & Sprüngli operates under key brands such as Lindt, Ghirardelli, and Russell Stover. The company's North America division, Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc., acts as the Center of Excellence for the North American market, providing shared services including Supply Chain, Project Management, Information Technology, and more.

About the role

The Senior Manager, Transportation Strategic Sourcing & Procurement is responsible for developing, executing, and governing Lindt & Sprüngli North America’s enterprise transportation procurement strategy across all modes, systems, and services. This role oversees carrier sourcing, contract negotiations, supplier performance management, and financial stewardship for a significant portion of the company’s annual transportation spend.

Responsibilities

• Own development and execution of annual transportation budgets, sourcing strategies, and savings initiatives within an established Performance Control System
• Lead all carrier sourcing, RFPs, negotiations, and award decisions, balancing total landed cost, service performance, and risk mitigation
• Govern freight rate structures, accessorials, and contract compliance to ensure budget adherence and financial transparency
• Provide executive-level analysis of transportation cost drivers, variances, and market conditions
• Establish and maintain carrier qualification standards, onboarding processes, and contractual performance expectations
• Lead supplier performance management through scorecards, service reviews, and corrective action plans
• Ensure carriers meet contractual commitments related to capacity, seasonality, service, and volume allocation
• Oversee rate loading, routing authorizations, and audit readiness within the Transportation Management System
• Drive freight audit, payment reconciliation, exception management, and claims resolution processes
• Conduct ongoing market analysis, freight studies, and capacity assessments to inform sourcing strategies
• Develop and enhance transportation dashboards, KPIs, and reporting for leadership visibility
• Partner with Sales and Finance to deliver accurate freight economics, customer shipping models, and pricing support
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure transportation strategies align with network design, plant operations, and customer delivery requirements
• Act as the single point of accountability for transportation procurement inquiries from internal stakeholders and external partners
• Lead, mentor, and develop team members through coaching, training, and performance management
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, analytical rigor, and enterprise-first decision making
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, productivity, and service quality

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Transportation, Finance, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex transportation spend portfolios ($50M+)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; strong data analysis and financial modeling capability
• Prioritized experience influencing cross-functional leaders and presenting insights at the executive level
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel up to 15%

Qualifications

• Masters’ degree, preferably in Business, Transportation, or Supply Chain
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
• Financial acumen and strong analytical skills
• Experience with scorecards/metrics

Skills

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Financial analysis and budgeting
• Supplier relationship management
• Contract negotiation and management
• Transportation management systems
• Data analysis and reporting
• Leadership and team management

Benefits

• Competitive compensation package
• Flexible work schedule
• Health and wellness programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee recognition and rewards

Pay

• $100M+ in annual transportation spend

Schedule

• Full-time position