Job DescriptionThe Director of Transportation Planning is responsible for leading and optimizing the company's transportation network by overseeing transportation planning, external carrier development, special freight projects, and freight payment processes. This role ensures service reliability, cost efficiency, and alignment with business goals across third-party carrier operations. The ideal candidate is a data-driven leader with deep experience in freight execution, routing strategies, and transportation finance. This role will report to the Director of Logistics.
Responsibilities- Lead end-to-end transportation planning including mode selection, load optimization, and schedule alignment across all shipping locations.
- Develop and implement strategies that balance service level expectations, cost, and capacity across inbound, outbound, and intercompany freight.
- Utilize Transportation Management Systems (TMS) to improve visibility, planning accuracy, and overall efficiency of freight movements.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to forecast transportation demand and proactively plan for seasonal peaks, promotions, and capacity constraints.
- Leverage route optimization tools, GPS/telematics, and HOS data to ensure safe and compliant driver scheduling.
- Monitor daily performance of routing and delivery operations, address service failures, route inefficiencies, and customer complaints proactively.
- Lead all carrier sourcing, contracting, and performance management efforts across truckload, LTL, and specialized modes.
- Build and manage a network of reliable carriers to support capacity needs, reduce risk, and ensure coverage across all regions.
- Support rate negotiations, service level agreements, and contract terms in collaboration with Procurement and Legal.
- Track and report carrier KPIs including on-time delivery, claims ratio, capacity reliability, and responsiveness.
- Serve as the lead operations contact for high-visibility or non-standard freight projects, such as new product launches, plant relocations, expedited shipments, and recovery initiatives.
- Coordinate cross-functional resources and transportation providers to execute time-sensitive or complex logistics projects on schedule and within budget.
- Develop project timelines, transportation cost estimates, risk mitigation plans, and post-project evaluations.
- Provide executive-level communication and reporting on the status and results of key logistics initiatives.
- Manage and develop a team of transportation planners, coordinators, and carrier managers across multiple locations.
- Establish and track transportation KPIs such as on-time performance, cost per mile, route efficiency, and tender acceptance rates.
- Support the development of long-term transportation strategy, including network design, modal shift opportunities, and sustainability goals.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, safety, and accountability within the transportation team.
- Act as a strategic partner to key business stakeholders across supply chain, manufacturing, customer service, sales, and finance.
- Oversee freight payment processes, including invoice validation, accrual management, and cost allocation.
- Partner with Finance, Accounts Payable, and TMS/3PL providers to ensure accurate and timely freight payments.
- Monitor transportation spend and implement controls to prevent overbilling, duplicate charges, and budget variances.
- Lead periodic freight cost audits and work with carriers to resolve rate disputes or contract non-compliance.
- Develop reporting on freight costs by mode, lane, customer, or region to support budget planning and cost reduction initiatives.
- Perform all other tasks as requested.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Logistics, Transportation, or a related field (Master's preferred).
- 8-10+ years of progressive experience in transportation operations, with at least 3 in a senior leadership role.
- Demonstrated success in managing fleet and carrier-based transportation networks.
- Strong knowledge of TMS platforms, routing software, and transportation analytics tools.
- Experience with freight payment systems, financial reporting, and carrier rate management.
- Ability to manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Competencies- Possess UFAA (United, Focus, Accountable, and Agile) leadership behavior
- Proven management skills with the ability to optimize team performance and development
- Highly skilled communicator with the ability to form and maintain good relationships internally and externally
- Strong interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills
- Customer focused
- Proven analytical, problem solving and organizational skills
- Strong planning skills with the ability to handle multiple projects through to completion and to manage competing priorities
- Project management skills
- Commercial and financial acumen with a full understanding of the impact of failure in terms of business cost, production schedules and customer order fulfilment
- Excellent attention to detail skills
- Knowledge of technical regulations related to logistics such as import/export and customs regulations, including security requirements to include certification in dangerous goods handling and aviation security
- High degree of knowledge and understanding of a variety of manufacturing and automotive processes and components and of supply chain management.
- Strong IT systems knowledge and skills including knowledge and understanding of specialist systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Bill of Material (BOM) and customer data systems
- Advanced Excel user
- Ability to analyze and manipulate technical and complex data and provide meaningful information
- Membership of an appropriate professional body such as the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport would be advantageous
- Knowledge of lean techniques may be advantageous
BenefitsWhen you join Amcor, you will have access to a comprehensive benefits and compensation package that includes:
- Medical, dental and vision plans
- Flexible time off, starting at 80 hours paid time per year for full-time salaried employees
- Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location
- Wellbeing program & Employee Assistance Program
- Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
- Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
- Paid Parental Leave
- Retirement Savings Plan with company match
- Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval)
- Discretionary annual bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date)
