Procurement Manager - Lowell, AR

Start a Watco Career and Discover the Difference

Keep the world’s supply chain moving. That’s what the Watco team does every day at our short line railroads, switching sites, terminals, ports, and logistics hubs. Whether you’re at one of these locations or in a support-services role, there’s one thread that ties everyone together. We’re all on the same team. One Watco.

Here’s What You Can Expect From Watco

• Outstanding culture recognized by Forbes and Newsweek
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Paid on-the-job training with peer trainers
• Leadership and development programs offered through Watco University
• Career advancement opportunities
  
  

The Procurement Manager will lead strategic logistics procurement initiatives to position procurement as a competitive advantage. This role focuses on network development, optimization, and strategic management, leveraging data-driven insights and innovative tools to deliver measurable cost savings, operational efficiency, and strong carrier partnerships.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Deliver measurable cost savings and margin improvement by reducing PT spend.
• Build and maintain strong carrier relationships to ensure capacity and service quality.
• Implement route optimization strategies to maximize carrier utilization.
• Expand carrier footprint to win spot bids and rebid lost opportunities.
• Launch and manage carrier recognition programs.
• Evaluate and implement carrier bid optimization technology.
• Archive and analyze historical bids for strategic insights.
• Map carrier density by lane and zip code to identify potential growth areas.
• Identify and improve low-yield lanes.
• Collaborate with pricing manager for decision making.
• Benchmark best practices for procurement operations.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

• Proven experience in building and maintaining carrier relationships, pricing negotiation, optimizing routes, and conducting yield analysis.
• Logistics professional with comprehensive expertise in procurement and transportation management.
• Strategic and innovative thinker with a proven ability to design and implement solutions that enhance operational performance and align with procurement goals.
  
  

Skills And Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of carrier management, route optimization and yield analysis.
• Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data-driven decision-making.
• Experience with procurement technology and bid optimization tools.
• Expertise in carrier pricing negotiation.
  
  

Education

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent; or at least three years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  
  

Competencies

• Innovative problem-solver with a strong ability to identify opportunities and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to collaborate and effectively communicate with all levels of the organization.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.