Transportation Category Manager
At Trane TechnologiesTM and through our businesses including Trane® and Thermo King®, we create innovative climate solutions for buildings, homes, and transportation that challenge what’s possible for a sustainable world. We're a team that dares to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities. We believe in a better future when we uplift others and enable our people to thrive at work and at home. We boldly go.
What’s in it for you:
Be a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient environments, it’s our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what’s possible for a sustainable world.
At Trane Technologies we Challenge Possible. Our brands – including Trane® and Thermo King®– create access to cooling and comfort in buildings and homes, transport and protect food and perishables, connect customers to elevated performance with less environmental impact, dramatically reduce energy demands and carbon emissions, and innovate with a better world in mind. We boldly challenge what’s possible for a sustainable world.
The Role
The Ground Transportation Category Manager is an individual contributor role responsible for leading the deployment and operational execution of ground transportation in North America for the Full Truckload equipment type procurement category. This position will be a key member of the Domestic Transportation team and will have main responsibility to lead expansion of dedicated transportation services for the North American ground network, including Dry Van and Open Deck equipment types. This role will champion and execute bid activities to expand dedicated capacity, whilst ensuring superior service metrics through compliance to Trane Technologies’ Preferred Supplier Program metrics, and identify and implement cost reduction opportunities. This person will manage executing and maturing a detailed category strategy; deliver productivity through price negotiation, capacity management, continuous improvement initiatives; drive sustainable transportation solutions for the logistics network; and foster positive business relationships across Trane Technologies Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and the logistics supplier network. This position is a hybrid work schedule and is based in Davidson, North Carolina.
Thrive at work and at home:
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Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!
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Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
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401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution = up to 8% company contribution.
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Paid time off, including in support of volunteer and parental leave needs.
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Educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.
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Learn more about our benefits here!
Where is the work:
Hybrid:
This position has been designated as a Hybrid work schedule with work performed onsite 3 days each week in Davidson NC.
What you will do:
• Lead the execution of sourcing activities within assigned mode(s) including improvements to bid schedule, continuous improvement initiatives, supply base rationalization, etc.
• Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with selected partners and evaluate business needs against supplier performance.
• Develop category and carrier strategies. Implement transportation initiatives aligned with said strategies to secure capacity, improve on-time service and damage claims, deliver cost reduction, and champion sustainability solutions.
• Work with cross-functional teams to build and execute project implementation plans for productivity and continuous improvement projects within committed timelines.
• Responsible for managing active projects, updating status, eliminating roadblocks, and escalating issues as appropriate, as well as investigating, coordinating, and communicating project changes. Create and conduct presentations for project approvals and recuring status updates.
• Partner with Transportation Planning & Freight Bill Pay teams to track performance of operations and transportation execution of suppliers, timely resolves performance problems, proactively develop contingency plans and manages crisis situations.
• Perform constant analysis of modal/carrier cost and performance to benchmark service standards and applicable trends to ensure contracted service level agreements and budgeted operating costs are being met; decisively develops plans for any gaps in performance; execute cost forecasting activities for owned category; and reconcile discrepancies between cost plan and actuals.
• Manage capacity commitments for the service providers allowing them the proper lead-time to develop surge capacity plans, particularly in peak season. Partner with the SBUs to review planned forecast and manage exceptions.
What you will bring:
• BA/BS/ME degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, or Business
• Minimum 7 years in the transportation industry with exposure to carrier management, carrier negotiation, and carrier operations for Full Truckload. Experience with Dry Van, Flatbed, and Open Deck equipment preferred.
• Demonstrated success with transformation change management, structured problem solving, and process thinking.
• Must be a strategic thinker and have demonstrated experience driving strategies.
• Demonstrated experience managing / supervising suppliers or vendors.
• Experience negotiating supplier contracts and managing execution thereof.
• Expertise with suite of Microsoft Office tools.
• Experience running large complex cross functional projects.
• Ability to travel up to 10%.
Key Competencies and Success Factors
• Oracle experience in a global environment desired
• Ability to perform data analysis using MS Excel
• Possess a strong customer service orientation
• Be a proactive change agent and demonstrate leadership skills to thrive in a team-oriented environment
• Have robust interpersonal skills with the ability to interact and influence various departments throughout the organization
• Utilize exceptional problem-solving skills to work through difficult challenges
• Be a flexible, decisive, and proactive problem solver
• Be a strong communicator and possess strong organizational skills, with ability to work on multiple priorities at once
• Be comfortable managing in an ambiguous environment, capable of smart risk taking with ability to close
• Be able to work well in high pressure, fast-paced environment and be proficient at conflict resolution
• Have strong business/financial acumen, deep analytical skills, and ability to lead, inspire, motivate, and lay out clear expectations with suppliers and vendors
Compensation:
Base Pay Range: $95,000- $125,000
Total compensation for this role will include a commission/incentive plan.
Disclaimer: This base pay range is based on US national averages. Actual base pay could be a result of seniority, merit, geographic location where the work is performed.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.