** International Transportation Category Manager**

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At we Challenge Possible. Our brands including and - 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 whats possible for a sustainable world.

**Summary:**

The Transportation Category Manager is responsible for leading the deployment and operational execution of our transportation in North America. This position will be a key member of the Domestic / International Transportation team where this key role will be responsible for lead and implement supplier rationalization, support bid activities, ensure compliance to our Preferred Supplier Program metrics, and support to identify and implement cost improvement projects within the assigned modes and/or transportation network. This person will support the execution / compliance of detailed category strategy, deliver productivity through price negotiation, capacity management, and continuous improvement initiatives, and foster positive business relationships across Trane Technologies Strategic Business Units (SBUs) and the logistics supplier network. This position is based outside Charlotte in Davidson, North Carolina at our North American Headquarters

**Responsibilities:**

* Support the execution of sourcing activities within assigned mode(s) including development of bid cadence, continuous improvement initiatives, supply base rationalization, etc.

* Responsible for managing transportation within assigned modes and support supplier management (relationships and contracts)

* Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with selected partners and evaluate business needs against supplier performance (based on Tranes preferred supplier program established metrics). Assist the process to validate providers who meet quality, cost, and delivery requirements to support strategic decisions

* Support the development of carrier strategies and implement transportation initiatives that will improve lead-time, cost, on-time service, reduce claims and utilization

* Analyze cost to serve, identify gaps and engage with internal stakeholders (operations, engineering, quality) to capture business requirements and ensure qualification and efficient onboarding/transition of suppliers

* Support the implementation, and maintenance of category strategy by mode

* Work with cross-functional teams to build and execute project implementation plans for productivity and continuous improvement projects within committed timelines

* Responsible for monitoring 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 monthly status

* Track performance of operations and transportation execution of suppliers; timely resolves performance problems that could impact flow of merchandise with Tranes network; proactively develops contingency plans and manages crisis situations

* Partnership with freight pay, audit and claims team to track carrier performance of operations and transportation execution of suppliers; timely resolves performance problems and proactively develops 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

* Manage capacity commitments for the service providers allowing them the proper lead-time to develop surge capacity plans, particularly in peak season. Partnership with the SBUs to review planned forecast and manage exceptions

**Qualifications:**

* Bachelor's Degree required

* Minimum 3 years of project management experience

* Minimum 7 years in the transportation industry with exposure to carrier management, carrier negotiation, and carrier operations across multiple transportation modes

* Demonstrated success with transformation change management, problem solving and process thinking

* Must be a strategic thinker and have demonstrated experience driving strategies

* Demonstrated experience managing / supervising a team

* Microsoft Project Expertise or similar required

* Oracle experience in a global environment preferred

* Ability to perform data analysis using MS Excel and/or SQL

* Ability to travel up to 5% (COVID restrictions to be considered)

**Key Competencies and Success Factors:**

* Must possess a strong customer service orientation

* Must be a proactive change agent and possess leadership skills to build and maintain a team-oriented environment

* Must have solid interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate staff and to interact with various departments throughout the organization

* Must utilize exceptional problem-solving skills to work through difficult challenges

* Must be a flexible, decisive, and proactive problem solver

* Must be a strong communicator and possess strong organizational skills, with ability to work on multiple priorities at once

* Must be comfortable managing in an ambiguous environment, capable of smart risk taking with ability to close

* Must be able to work well in high pressure, fast-paced environment and be proficient at conflict resolution

* Must have strong business/financial acumen, deep analytical skills, and ability to lead, inspire, motivate, and lay out clear expectations

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs that help our employees thrive in both their professional and personal lives. We are proud of our winning culture which is inclusive and respectful at its core. We share passion for serving customers, caring for others, and boldly challenging whats possible for a sustainable world.

We are committed to achieving workforce diversity reflective of our communities. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.