Jobs and Careers

Transportation Operations Center Manager

Mars

BRN-Mars Petcare/National Headquarters, United States, United Statesfull_timeVerifiedPosted 3 Aug 2026

About the role

Job Description:

Transportation Operations Center Manager

Franklin, TN

Onsite

How do you keep a global network running smoothly? With exceptional leadership.

As our new Transport Operations Manager, you will own the execution of our day-to-day transportation and shipment activities. Serving as the vital link between our manufacturing sites, RDCs, and external partners, you will manage critical carrier relationships, champion continuous improvement, and ensure world-class customer service.

Your mission: Lead our logistics specialists in high-stakes load planning, scheduling, and error resolution, transforming daily operational challenges into streamlined, productive successes.

What are we looking for?

Minimum

Bachelor's Degree within Business, Logistics, Supply Chain or highly quantitative field AND/OR
2+ years’ experience in Logistics or Supply Chain Management
5–7 years of progressive experience in transportation operations, logistics, or supply chain management.
2–3 years of direct people management experience (leading logistics specialists, coordinators, or dispatchers).
Hands-on experience working with a major Transportation Management System TMS (e.g., Blue Yonder, SAP, Oracle, OTM).• Proficiency in Excel for data analysis (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs, data modeling).
Experience managing operational budgets, tracking logistics costs, and mitigating accessorial fees.
Experience managing carrier relationships, tracking SLAs, and enforcing carrier compliance.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate, coach, motivate and lead a team
Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to drive positive change in both processes, systems, and culture

Preferred

8+ years of experience in a large-scale, fast-paced FMCG (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods), Food/Beverage, or retail distribution environment.
Direct experience with UberFreight TMS and CASS (freight payment/audit system).• Advanced analytics capability (experience with Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or network optimization software like Optilogic/Llamasoft).
Extensive experience managing large-scale 3PL partnerships and co-developing long-term network load-planning solutions.
Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt certification.
Proven track record of leading structured CI projects that resulted in measurable cost savings (productivity) and service improvements.
Experience with process optimization, task automation (using tools like VBA, Power Automate, or Python), and creating interactive visualization tools/dashboards (such as Power BI, Tableau, or custom TMS reporting) to track and optimize key transport metrics.

What will be your key responsibilities?

Direct day-to-day activities for Inbound/Outbound Logistics Specialists to ensure operational procedures are followed and business needs are met.
Oversee daily transport operations, ensuring all shipments are covered, scheduled (delivery/pickup), and tendered in a timely manner.
Develops and maintains root cause corrective action procedures including trend analysis resulting in driving process improvements
Ensures daily staffing plans including contingency plans for time sensitive operations (unscheduled absentees, customer issues, system malfunctions, equipment issues, etc.)
Support site operations by ensuring carrier partners are adhering to shipment schedules
Meet or exceed performance targets (On Time Pickup and Delivery, Tender Acceptance, SRG and Check Call Compliance, Linehaul Spend)
Support Transportation cost management – linehaul, accessorials, and Fines & Fees mitigation
Create lean ways of working, d