Location: USA - Mesa, W. Southern Ave
Division: Solutions
Job Posting Title: Senior Team Lead, Purchasing
Time Type: Full Time
Summary
The Senior Team Lead, Purchasing is responsible for leading a team of purchasing professionals responsible for sourcing, managing, and optimizing transportation-related procurement activities to support DSV's logistics operations. This role requires a strong leader with excellent negotiation skills, business acumen, analytical capabilities, and the ability to develop and motivate a high-performing team. The Senior Team Lead, Purchasing will partner closely with Operations, Finance, Procurement leadership, and other internal stakeholders to develop purchasing strategies, manage supplier and carrier relationships, optimize costs, and ensure alignment with business objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Manage and lead a team of purchasing professionals, providing coaching, feedback, performance evaluations, and professional development opportunities.
• Develop and execute purchasing strategies that support transportation operations, cost optimization, service requirements, and business growth objectives.
• Manage relationships with transportation suppliers, carriers, and service providers to ensure competitive pricing, capacity availability, and service performance.
• Support carrier sourcing, rate negotiations, contract discussions, and supplier performance management.
• Collaborate with Operations, Customer Service, Sales, Finance, and other departments to ensure procurement activities align with customer and business requirements.
• Analyze transportation spend, supplier performance, market trends, and operational data to identify cost-saving opportunities and process improvements.
• Monitor key purchasing metrics and performance indicators, providing regular reporting and recommendations to Purchasing leadership and business stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance with company purchasing policies, procurement processes, supplier agreements, and operational requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve purchasing processes, increase efficiency, and enhance supplier performance.
• Support strategic initiatives related to transportation procurement, network optimization, and continuous improvement projects.
• Assist with resolving supplier issues, service challenges, and escalations to ensure operational continuity.
Educational background / Work experience
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field is typically required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in purchasing, procurement, transportation, logistics, or supply chain operations, with demonstrated experience leading teams or managing complex supplier relationships.
• Experience within the transportation and logistics industry, including carrier management, freight procurement, or transportation cost analysis, is strongly preferred.
Skills & Competencies
• Strong leadership and team management skills with the ability to coach, develop, and motivate employees.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of transportation procurement, carrier management, freight markets, and logistics operations.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate costs, identify trends, and develop improvement opportunities.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives and deadlines.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and build strong partnerships across the organization.
• Knowledge of procurement processes, supplier management, and contract negotiation principles.
• Ability to use data and reporting tools to support business decisions.
Function / Market & Industry Knowledge / Business Acumen / Processes
Supervisory Responsibilities (if any)
• This role is responsible for managing a team of purchasing professionals, including workload management, coaching, performance feedback, employee development, and ensuring alignment with department and business objectives.
• Provides leadership and guidance to ensure purchasing activities support operational performance, cost efficiency, and customer commitments..
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience managing a purchasing or procurement team within the transportation, freight forwarding, or logistics industry.
• Knowledge of carrier procurement, freight rates, transportation contracts, and supplier negotiations.
• Experience working with transportation management systems (TMS), procurement systems, or logistics technology platforms.
• Experience analyzing transportation spend, supplier performance, and operational metrics.
• Knowledge of logistics processes, including domestic transportation, freight forwarding, and supply chain operations.
Language Skills
• Fluent in English (oral and written)
Computer Literacy
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, is required.
• Experience with transportation management systems (TMS), procurement platforms, ERP systems, and reporting tools is preferred.
At Will Employment
DSV Air & Sea Inc. employees are hired for an undefined period of time as "at will" employees. This means that an employee may be terminated for any reason, or no reason at all, at any time, provided the discharge does not violate any law*. Additionally, each employee has the right to terminate his/her employment at any time. *Except if employed in Montana, where termination requires just cause.
Compensation will be determined based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location, in accordance with applicable laws and company policy.
Information regarding DSV's benefits offerings, including eligibility, coverage options, and plan details, is available through the DSV Benefits Showcase. Benefits, programs, and eligibility may vary by location and division in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
Senior Team Lead, Purchasing
Mesa
