Supplier Manager 3PL

This role ensures third-party logistics (3PL) providers meet cost, service, quality, and compliance expectations while supporting Westrock Coffee’s broader supply chain strategy across sourcing, roasting, and finished-goods distribution. A continuous-improvement mindset is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day relationships and contract compliance with 3PL warehouse, transportation, and distribution providers.
• Partner with Procurement on supplier report cards.
• Monitor and report 3PL performance against KPIs: on-time delivery, order accuracy, inventory accuracy, damages/claims, cost per unit.
• Lead regular business reviews (weekly/monthly/quarterly) with 3PL partners to address performance gaps and drive continuous improvement.
• Manage compliance of 3PL contracts, rate agreements, and statements of work in partnership with Procurement/Legal.
• Serve as primary escalation point for service failures, capacity constraints, and operational issues with 3PL partners.
• Track and manage 3PL invoicing accuracy, billing disputes, and cost allocation.
• Analyze 3PL cost, service, and performance trends to identify cost savings and improvement opportunities; develop business cases for Supply Chain leadership.
• Maintain supplier contracts, SLAs, KPIs, performance scorecards, inspection records, and compliance documentation for audit readiness.
• Collaborate with Demand Planning, Transportation, Procurement, and Warehouse Operations to align 3PL capacity with forecasted volume.
• Support onboarding of new 3PL partners, including RFP participation, vendor selection, and implementation.
• Coordinate supplier qualification and first-article inspections (FAI) for raw materials, packaging, ingredients, and finished goods at 3PL facilities.
• Own the escalation process for FAI and quality non-conformances, driving root-cause analysis and corrective action with 3PL partners and internal Quality/Procurement teams.
• Conduct site visits and audits to verify compliance with food safety, safety, and operational standards.
• Ensure 3PL partners comply with all applicable regulatory, food-safety (e.g., SQF, FSMA), and contractual requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, logistics, or 3PL management.
• Demonstrated experience managing 3PL or vendor relationships and contracts.
• Strong understanding of warehousing, transportation, and distribution operations.
• Experience with first-article inspection (FAI) processes and quality escalation procedures for raw materials, packaging, ingredients, or finished goods.
• Experience with KPI tracking, performance scorecards, and business reviews.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with WMS/TMS systems and ERP platforms (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Strong negotiation, communication, and vendor-management skills.
• Ability to travel to 3PL sites as needed in support of all Westrock locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the food & beverage or CPG industry, particularly coffee or beverage manufacturing.
• Familiarity with food-safety standards (SQF, FSMA, HACCP).
• Experience with RFP processes and 3PL network design/optimization.
• APICS, CSCP, or CPSM certification.
• Experience managing multi-site or national 3PL networks.
• Background in cost modeling or transportation/warehouse rate analysis.