Job Summary: The Carrier Management Leader is responsible for developing and executing H-E-B’s carrier strategy to optimize network performance, capacity, cost, and service through carrier partnerships. This role helps drive carrier optimization, bid execution, contract management, market intelligence, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives while ensuring adequate capacity and service reliability across the transportation network.

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• Leads the execution of carrier conversion initiatives and lane optimization strategies to improve network efficiency, service performance, and transportation costs.

• Partner cross-functionally with SCO, FSCA, Inbound Planning & Operations, Transportation Central Operations, and Procurement teams to evaluate and implement network improvements.

• Serve as the primary escalation point for carrier-related challenges, ensuring timely service recovery and issue resolution.

• Create and maintain a centralized source of truth for active transportation lanes, supporting visibility, bid execution, contract compliance, and strategic decision-making.

• Advance transportation technology and system integration initiatives, including DAT-enabled freight quote capabilities and other digital solutions.

• Executes the carrier rate strategy, including evaluation and response to carrier rate increase requests.

• Leads carrier bid events, negotiations, and sourcing decisions to ensure competitive market positioning and cost-effective outcomes.

• Develop, implement, and continuously improve tools, rules, and governance processes for rate reviews, carrier selection, and bid execution.

• Monitor market conditions and align sourcing strategies with current transportation trends and capacity dynamics.

• Conduct periodic audits of carrier rate sheets to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance while minimizing manual errors.

• Oversee carrier onboarding prioritization, contract review processes, and compliance requirements.

• Lead Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) transformation efforts, centralizing contract management into a single system of record.

• Ensure all carrier onboarding, carrier selection, and contract management processes are documented and compliant with internal audit requirements.

• Establish and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for carrier onboarding, selection, and management activities.

• Lead and develop a team of Carrier Management Specialists, providing coaching, performance management, career development, and escalation support.

• Facilitate team meetings and departmental reviews to align priorities, communicate objectives, and drive accountability.

• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and operational excellence.

• Build organizational capability through training, process standardization, and knowledge-sharing initiatives.

• Facilitate quarterly carrier business reviews to strengthen carrier accountability, performance, and strategic partnerships.

• Develop and monitor carrier performance metrics, service levels, capacity commitments, and contract adherence.

• Lead a small team of Carrier Management Specialists and serves as the central point of coordination between Inbound Operations, Transportation Central Operations, Supply Chain Optimization (SCO), and external carriers.

• Drive market intelligence efforts by delivering recurring insights and transportation market updates to Logistics Planning, Procurement, and senior leadership teams.

• Identify emerging transportation market trends, risks, and opportunities and provide strategic recommendations.

• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, transportation policies, and contractual obligations.

• Develop reporting, analytics, and process improvement solutions that increase visibility and decision-making effectiveness.

• Lead a small team of Carrier Management Specialists

• Serve as the central point of coordination between Inbound Operations, Transportation Central Operations, Supply Chain Optimization (SCO), and external carriers.

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on automation, data accuracy, operational efficiency, and carrier management effectiveness.

• Acts as the owner of carrier management governance processes, ensuring consistency and standardization across the organization.

The responsibilities and essential functions outlined above describe the general nature and level of work assigned to this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Duties and responsibilities may be modified at any time based on business needs. Employees may be required to perform other job-related tasks as requested by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodations.Qualifications & Key Requirements:Directly supervises and advises hourly Partners within more complex area of specialty, setting day-to-day objectives, assigning tasks, checking work at frequent intervals, pursuing effective processes, maintaining schedules and ensuring work is performed consistently within existing policies and procedures. Directs team to complete assignments of diverse scope using established guidelines, procedures, and policies. Work assignments are predetermined, require evaluation of a variety of factors, follow established practices and procedures, and are subject to a moderate level of control and review. A portion of time is normally spent performing individual tasks related to the team/department.

Decisions have a direct impact on the operations of the team/department. Decisions or recommendations may impact timelines and require more people and financial resources.

Develops and administers schedules and performance requirements. Assists with managerial decisions and activities including hiring, firing, performance appraisals, and pay reviews.

Work Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in transportation, logistics, carrier management, procurement, sourcing, or supply chain operations.

• 1+ years of leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional initiatives.

• Experience leading carrier negotiations, transportation bids, contract management, and network optimization initiatives.

• Experience managing contracts, carrier onboarding processes, and compliance requirements.

• Experience with transportation management systems, freight marketplaces, analytics tools, and contract lifecycle management platforms.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Proven success developing carrier strategies that improve service, capacity, and cost outcomes.

• Strong understanding of transportation markets, carrier operations, freight sourcing, and rate management. (Preferred)

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret transportation and financial data.

• Well organized. Project management experience is a plus.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

• Ability to influence decisions across multiple functions and organizational levels.

• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, develop talent, and drive organizational performance

Education:

• Technical, vocational, or bachelor's degree in a relevant field of education and/or relevant work experience.

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Transportation, Logistics, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field preferred

Licenses/Certifications:

• Completion of H-E-B leadership programs where applicable

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Function in a fast-paced, office environment

• Travel by car or plane with overnight stays

• Work extended hours; sit for extended periods.

• Occasionally lift 20 lbs or more

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Last revised: 09/14/2026