Smith & Nephew

Global Category Manager, Transportation & Trade Services

Smith & Nephew$119K — $207K *
Transportation
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, Finance, or related field.
  • 10+ years in transportation procurement, logistics sourcing, or supply chain procurement, preferably in regulated or MedTech environments.
  • Experience developing and executing category strategies for global organizations.
  • Strong expertise in transportation markets, logistics operations, and international trade compliance.
  • Extensive experience in leading negotiations and managing supplier relationships in multiple transportation modes.
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills, able to partner with senior leaders across matrix structures.
  • Leadership experience in driving team performance and transformation initiatives.

Responsibilities

  • Define and implement the global category strategy for Transportation & Trade Services.
  • Create a multi-year value creation pipeline, focusing on cost optimization and productivity improvements.
  • Act as a commercial advisor to influence decisions related to supply chain and trade compliance.
  • Lead negotiations with suppliers and develop strong strategic relationships to enhance performance.
  • Drive initiatives for sustainability and resilience within transportation and trade processes.
  • Champion digital transformation through the adoption of logistics technologies and data analytics.
  • Lead and develop a high-performing procurement team, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) plan.
  • Tuition reimbursement for education.
  • Medical leave programs.
  • Variety of wellness offerings.
Full Job Description
Ready to shape the future of global logistics and trade services? As our Global Category Manager, Transportation & Trade Services, you will lead a critical global procurement portfolio that supports supply chain performance, distribution excellence, regulatory compliance, operational resilience, and business growth. This is an opportunity to influence strategic decisions, drive innovation, and help build a more resilient, sustainable, and future-ready logistics network while positioning Procurement as a strategic enabler of Smith+Nephew's transformation ambitions.

What will you be doing?
  • Define and execute the global Transportation & Trade Services category strategy across Parcel, Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Road Freight, Customs Brokerage, and Freight Audit & Payment services.
  • Build and deliver a multi-year value creation pipeline through cost optimization, productivity improvements, working capital enhancement, risk reduction, innovation, and network optimization.
  • Serve as a trusted commercial advisor to Global Supply Chain and Global Trade Compliance leaders, influencing transportation, logistics, and trade services decisions through commercial expertise, market insight, and strategic thinking.
  • Lead complex supplier negotiations and drive strategic supplier relationships that improve performance, resilience, compliance, innovation, and long-term business outcomes.
  • Drive sustainability, resilience, and continuous improvement initiatives across transportation and trade services while supporting evolving business needs.
  • Champion digital transformation through transportation technologies, analytics, automation, visibility platforms, and data-driven decision making that enhance operational performance and supply chain effectiveness.
  • Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing procurement team while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, continuous improvement, and commercial excellence.


What will you need to be successful?
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, Finance, or a related field. Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, CSCP, or APICS are preferred.
  • 10+ years of experience in transportation procurement, logistics sourcing, or supply chain procurement. Experience within a regulated or MedTech environment is preferred.
  • Proven experience developing and executing category strategies that deliver measurable business value across complex global organizations.
  • Strong expertise in transportation markets, carrier commercial models, logistics operations, customs brokerage, and international trade compliance.
  • Demonstrated success leading complex transportation negotiations and strategic supplier relationship programs across multiple transportation modes, including parcel and last-mile distribution networks.
  • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to partner effectively with senior leaders across matrix organizations.
  • Experience leading teams and driving transformation, change management, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making.
  • Experience with transportation management systems (TMS), freight visibility platforms, freight audit solutions, or digital logistics technologies is a plus.


We anticipate the application window for this opening to close on 09.11.2026

The anticipated base compensation range for this position is $119,500.00 - $207,250.00 USD annually and the compensation offered will depend on the candidate's qualifications, job-related knowledge/skills, geographical location. You will be entitled to receive bonus and benefits, which include medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k, tuition reimbursement, medical leave programs, and a variety of wellness offerings.

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About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology company headquartered in London, England. The company designs, manufactures, and sells medical devices and products for orthopedic reconstruction, sports medicine, and trauma. Smith & Nephew operates in more than 100 countries and employs over 17,500 people worldwide. The company was founded in 1856 by Thomas James Smith and his nephew, Horatio Nelson Smith, and has grown through a series of mergers and acquisitions. Smith & Nephew's products include joint replacement systems, wound care products, and surgical instruments. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.
Learn more about Smith & Nephew
Size
17,500 employees
Market Cap
$11.5 billion
Industry
Net Income
$448 million
5 Year Trend
+2.2%
Revenue
$4.5 billion

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