Position Summary

This position sets direction, owns budgets and systems, and ensures cross-functional alignment across domestic and international fresh logistics operations. The role does not manage daily execution, but instead provides oversight, strategy, and accountability through subordinate managers.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Enterprise Leadership

• Own and define the enterprise strategy for fresh shipping and logistics across all locations.
• Partner with executive leadership on long-range supply chain planning, network design, and capacity strategy.
• Establish KPIs, service level targets, and performance standards.
• Provide strategic oversight for cooler utilization, meat age/freshness targets, and inventory flow.

Financial & Contract Ownership

• Own the fresh logistics budget and long-term cost optimization strategy.
• Lead carrier, freight forwarder, and 3PL contract negotiations.
• Analyze freight spend trends and approve major cost initiatives.

Governance, Compliance & Risk

• Provide executive oversight of customs compliance, trade regulations, and cold-chain risk management.
• Ensure audit readiness and regulatory compliance across all fresh logistics operations.
• Partner with QA and Compliance leadership to govern food safety standards end-to-end.

Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement

• Own Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and logistics-related technology strategy.
• Sets continuous improvement and analytics strategies and priorities.
• Review and act on performance dashboards; hold managers accountable for execution.

Leadership & Organization Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop logistics managers.
• Set organizational structure, staffing models, and leadership expectations.
• Serves as escalation point only for cross-functional issues, not for routine operational decisions assigned to the Sr. Manager role.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or related field preferred
• Master’s degree or MBA preferred
• 20+ years of poultry/protein processing and/or supply chain management experience

Experience

• 8–12+ years of progressive experience in poultry, protein, shipping, logistics, or supply chain management
• Additional 3–5+ years in a senior leadership or managerial role
• Knowledge of shipping and logistics management

Skills & Competencies

• Strategic thinking and operational excellence
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills
• Data-driven decision-making and financial acumen
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities
• Proficiency with ERP systems, and MS Excel

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time delivery and service level performance
• Freight cost per unit and budget adherence
• Carrier performance and contract compliance
• Customs compliance and audit results
• Process efficiency and continuous improvement outcomes

Working Conditions

• Office and warehouse environment with periodic travel
• May require flexibility to support global operations across time zones

General Sign-Off: The employee is expected to adhere to all company policies and to act as a role model in the adherence to policies. The company reserves the right to modify, interpret, or apply this job description in any way the company desires. This job description in no way implies that these are the only duties, including essential duties, to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise. The employment relationship remains “AT- WILL.” Qualified employees who, because of a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits a major life activity, require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position should notify their Manager or Human Resources.

Food Safety Sign-Off: All team members at Crider Foods must adhere to our food safety requirements and must report food safety problems to management. All attempts should be made to ensure that the written and digital records are documented at the time the activity is performed, legible, clear, concise and suitably authorized (not falsified) by those undertaking monitoring (documented work tasks). This position may be responsible for the inspection and verification of records.

“We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law”.