Transportation Optimization Lead

Lindt & Sprüngli is a Swiss chocolate manufacturer and recognized as a global leader in the market for premium chocolate, offering a large selection of products around the world. With a long-standing tradition of 175 years, Lindt & Sprüngli is known as one of the most innovative and creative companies making premium chocolate under the key brand Lindt.

About the Company

Lindt & Sprüngli (North America) Inc. is the holding company of the US family of companies: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, Lindt & Sprüngli (USA) Inc., and Russell Stover Chocolates Inc. The company offers a shared-services model acting as the Center of Excellence for the North American market by providing world-class Supply Chain, Project Management, Information Technology, and additional business services to the local entities.

What We Offer

• A highly passionate team driven for success
• A fast-changing business environment and entrepreneurial mindset
• Central and prime office location in Kansas City next to the Plaza
• US or international career opportunities within the Lindt Group
• Opportunities to be involved in employee committees
• A flexible work environment offering a hybrid model
• Market competitive compensation, annual bonus, and benefits
• Delicious premium chocolate

Core Values

• Excellence: You have passion for what you are doing and strive for excellence
• Innovation: You are constantly looking for new and better ways to deliver success
• Entrepreneurship: You are empowered and accountable for your actions and results
• Responsibility: You act with integrity and treat everyone with respect
• Collaboration: You support your colleagues across disciplines, business segments, and geographies

Responsibilities

• Lead and collaborate with Transportation Planners, overseeing a network of multiple manufacturing sites and/or multiple distribution centers.
• Demonstrate a continuous improvement mindset to drive process, system, and performance improvement across the network.
• Analyze recurring service failures and implement corrective actions.
• Maximize trailer utilization, mode optimization, and manage plant/DC shipping and receiving constraints.
• Perform network analysis, sailing schedule optimization, and process improvement.
• Resolve escalated delivery issues and follow-up with ongoing communication.
• Attend daily load plan review calls with distribution centers to finalize optimal plans considering service targets, supply chain cost, and resource capacity.
• Effectively communicate with inventory deployment teams, DCs, and carriers.
• Work daily within Transportation Management System (TMS) for scheduling, reporting, and analytics.
• Handle special projects and duties as assigned by management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or 4 years equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated successful interaction with cross-functional teams and working with all levels of management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Working knowledge of TMS (Transportation Management System).
• Ability to prioritize and organize assignments.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in refrigerated transportation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or Logistics.
• Experience in food and beverage/consumer-packaged goods industry.