Bunzl Distribution

Logistics Program Manager

Bunzl Distribution$85K — $110K *
Transportation
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related Business field preferred.
  • 5-7+ years in domestic transportation/logistics with meaningful FTL ownership.
  • Proven record managing carrier portfolios and delivering year-over-year improvements.
  • Strong experience with logistics operations management including procurement and optimization.
  • Hands-on experience with a modern TMS and proficiency in Microsoft 365, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
  • Strong project/program management skills; Lean/Six Sigma or PMP certification is preferred.
  • Customer-focused and results-oriented management style.

Responsibilities

  • Design and execute the freight roadmap to meet business goals.
  • Drive network optimization using data analytics for performance improvement.
  • Own carrier strategy by leading sourcing events and managing contracts.
  • Elevate technology and analytics to enhance TMS capabilities and reporting.
  • Lead responses during critical incidents to protect customer deliveries.
  • Institutionalize best practices by standardizing processes across sites.
  • Govern stakeholder leadership through regular engagement and decision-making.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits effective the 1st day of the month after 30 days.
  • Paid Time Off - including vacation, sick, holidays, and personal time.
  • 401K with generous company match.
  • Access to additional benefits and perks available on the Bunzl Careers page.
Full Job Description
Bunzl is looking for a Logistics Program Manager to impact the network and lead the change. We're looking for a passionate, high-energy leader to build, scale, and continuously improve freight management within Bunzl's Distribution Division. If you bring an entrepreneurial growth mindset, thrive on cross-functional collaboration, and want to make a measurable impact fast, this role is for you. You will own a portfolio of domestic full-truckload (FTL) initiatives and partner closely with the corporate office and senior leadership to execute and evolve our freight strategy.

What you'll do

  • Design & execute the freight roadmap: Translate business goals into a multi-quarter freight program with clear charters, milestones, and quantified business cases (cost, service, risk).
  • Drive network optimization: Use data (lane analysis, cube/weight profiles, dwell, detention) to reduce empty miles, improve tender acceptance, and balance cost vs. OTIF.
  • Own carrier strategy & performance: Lead sourcing events (mini-bids/RFPs), contract & rate governance, scorecards, and quarterly business reviews (QBRs) to assure capacity, cost discipline, and service
  • Elevate technology & analytics: Maximize our TMS capabilities, automate routine decisions, and publish role-based dashboards for DC leaders and executives (e.g., OTIF, tender rejections, claims, accessorials, and CO2 equivalents).
  • Lead critical incident response: Be the hands-on leader during disruptions; mobilize cross-functional "control tower" routines to protect customer deliveries.
  • Institutionalize best practices: Standardize SOPs, SLAs, and playbooks across sites; use formal benchmarking to push toward best-in-class processes.
  • Governance & stakeholder leadership: Run cadence with senior leaders; convert insights to action with clear decision memos, options, and trade-offs.
  • Risk, compliance & sustainability: Embed DOT/FMCSA compliance, carrier safety, and pragmatic sustainability levers (consolidation, mode/route improvements) into everyday operations.
  • Portfolio & change management: Manage a slate of cost-reduction and cost-avoidance projects; ensure adoption through training, comms, and KPI accountability.

What you'll achieve in your first 12 months

  • Deliver material freight cost improvement through sourcing, lane re-design, and accessorial reduction.
  • Improve OTIF and reduce exception rates via carrier segmentation and proactive capacity planning.
  • Stand up a carrier scorecard + QBR program and site-level SOPs that scale.
  • Launch TMS enhancements and executive dashboards that become the single source of truth for freight performance.

How you'll lead (behaviors we value)

  • Customer Focus, Action Oriented, Effective Communication, Eager to Improve, and Agility the Bunzl Behaviors that define strong performance here. For people leaders and influencers, we also value Drive for Results, Clear Direction, Managing Vision & Purpose, and Talent Management in how you move work forward with and through others.

Personal Attributes

  • A high-energy, diplomatic leader who influences across functions and levels.
  • Exceptional written, verbal, and executive-ready presentation skills.
  • Data-driven, curious, and improvement-minded; you turn analysis into action.
  • Resilient in ambiguity; you learn fast and raise the bar for the team.

Professional Requirements

  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related Business field preferred.
  • 5-7+ years in domestic transportation/logistics with meaningful FTL ownership; proven record managing carrier portfolios and delivering year-over-year improvements.
  • Deep knowledge of logistics operations management: procurement, operations optimization, and carrier relationship management.
  • Hands-on experience with a modern TMS and strong proficiency with Microsoft 365 (advanced Excel, PowerPoint; Power BI a plus).
  • Analytical experience included but not limited to finance, accounting, carrier improvement, route optimization
  • Strong project/program management skills; Lean/Six Sigma or PMP preferred (or comparable experience).
  • Mentoring skills with the ability to lead through influence and delegate accountability effectively.
  • Customer-focused, results-oriented management style; thrives in both strategic and tactical work.


Note: This role's primary scope is domestic FTL. Experience coordinating with LTL/intermodal providers and parcel where appropriate is a plus.

The perks of being a Bunzl team member don't stop at being part of a great team or being valued as our #1 asset. We offer a full range of benefits to help our employees take care of themselves and their families today, tomorrow and for the future.

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Benefits effective the 1st day of the month after 30 days
  • Paid Time Off - Vacation, Sick, Holidays and Personal Time
  • 401K with generous company match
  • Additional benefit information can be found on the Bunzl Careers home page under Benefits and Perks.


About Bunzl Distribution

Bunzl Distribution is a global leader in the distribution of consumable products including food packaging, cleaning and hygiene supplies, and safety products. The company operates in 30 countries and serves customers in a variety of industries including foodservice, grocery, healthcare, and retail. Bunzl Distribution is committed to sustainability and has implemented various initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
Learn more about Bunzl Distribution
Size
21,021 employees
Industry
NASDAQ

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