Job Title: Solutions Design Manager
Job Location: Hebron, Kentucky
We have an exciting opportunity for a Solutions Design Manager for our AFR Team. This role is responsible for leading the strategic design, governance, and execution of end-to-end logistics solutions for DHL's global and regional Life Sciences & Healthcare customers. This role provides executive leadership for solution design, pricing strategy, operational excellence, and innovation while ensuring compliance with global regulatory standards, including GxP and GDP.
Key Responsibilities: - Develop and execute the regional Life Sciences & Healthcare Solution Design strategy aligned with DHL's overall business objectives and growth plans.
- Establish long-term solution design capabilities that differentiate DHL in the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics market.
- Serve as the senior subject matter expert for Life Sciences & Healthcare solution design, cold chain logistics, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
- Lead strategic initiatives that improve profitability, customer experience, scalability, and operational efficiency.
- Drive innovation by identifying emerging technologies, digital capabilities, automation opportunities, and new service offerings within Life Sciences logistics.
Commercial Leadership - Partner with Commercial Leadership to develop growth strategies for strategic and multinational Life Sciences customers.
- Lead complex customer pursuits by developing innovative and differentiated logistics solutions that maximize customer value and financial performance.
- Provide executive leadership during customer presentations, solution workshops, and strategic business reviews.
- Support contract negotiations by balancing commercial competitiveness with operational feasibility and profitability.
- Drive pricing governance and ensure consistency in financial assumptions, investment decisions, and solution profitability.
Solution Design & Governance - Provide executive oversight of end-to-end solution design activities across Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Customs, Warehousing, and Integrated Logistics services.
- Establish governance, methodologies, standards, and best practices for solution design across the organization.
- Ensure all solution designs incorporate operational excellence, quality requirements, regulatory compliance, systems integration, risk mitigation, and financial performance.
- Lead investment evaluations and business case development for new customer opportunities and strategic initiatives.
- Oversee development of operating models, implementation strategies, validation plans, and transition frameworks for complex customer implementations.
Financial & Business Management - Own solution profitability by overseeing pricing strategy, cost modeling, financial analysis, and investment recommendations.
- Lead development of business cases, customer P&L models, capital investment requests, and return-on-investment analyses.
- Monitor solution performance against financial and operational KPIs while driving continuous improvement initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to optimize costs while maintaining service excellence and regulatory compliance.
- Support annual planning, forecasting, and strategic investment decisions for the LSHC portfolio.
Operational Excellence & Compliance - Ensure all solutions meet applicable regulatory requirements including GxP, GDP, IATA, and customer-specific quality standards.
- Partner with Quality and Operations leadership to develop validation strategies, quality frameworks, and compliance governance.
- Sponsor continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and quality performance.
- Drive standardization of processes, documentation, implementation methodologies, and operational toolkits across the LSHC business.
Leadership & Organizational Development - Lead, mentor, and develop Solution Design Managers and Solution Engineers while building a high-performing organization.
- Establish performance objectives, succession planning, and talent development strategies for the Solution Design function.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Lead cross-functional teams supporting strategic customer implementations and business transformation initiatives.
Stakeholder Management - Build strong relationships with regional and global business leaders, customers, strategic partners, and regulatory stakeholders.
- Represent DHL at executive customer meetings, industry conferences, and Life Sciences forums.
- Influence senior leadership regarding investment priorities, market opportunities, organizational capabilities, and strategic initiatives.
- Collaborate with Global Product Management to ensure regional alignment with global standards and product development.
Skills / Requirements: - Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Life Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, or related discipline.
- Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive experience in Life Sciences & Healthcare logistics, supply chain management, or solution design.
- Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing teams within a matrix organization.
- Extensive experience designing complex global logistics solutions for pharmaceutical and healthcare customers.
- Strong knowledge of GDP, GxP, IATA, regulatory compliance, cold chain logistics, and quality management systems.
- Demonstrated success leading strategic customer pursuits and complex solution implementations.
- Proven experience managing executive-level customer relationships.
- Strong commercial acumen with extensive experience in pricing strategy, financial modeling, investment analysis, and P&L management.
Knowledge & Skills - Executive leadership and strategic planning
- Life Sciences & Healthcare supply chain expertise
- Enterprise solution architecture and design
- Financial planning, business case development, and investment analysis
- Pricing governance and profitability management
- Executive stakeholder engagement
- Organizational leadership and talent development
- Cross-functional leadership within global matrix organizations
- Change management and business transformation
- Contract negotiations and commercial strategy
- Risk management and regulatory compliance
- Project portfolio governance
- Strong executive presentation and communication skills
- Advanced analytical and decision-making capabilities
Pay Range: $105,682.50 - $140,910.00+ (Based on Experience)
Benefits (All Non-Union Employees)- Compensation: Competitive base salary plus role dependent performance-based incentives.
- 401(k) Match: $1-for-$1 match up to 4% quarterly + 2% annual base contribution.
- Stock Purchase Plan: Ability to purchase Deutsche Post AG shares at a discounted rate.
- Medical: Comprehensive plans covering preventive care, inpatient/outpatient services, and prescriptions.
- Vision: Optional coverage for exams, frames, and contacts.
- Dental: Optional coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
- Paid Time Off: 7 major holidays, 8 floating holidays, and accrued vacation/sick days.
