Associate Director Transportation

Earlier this year, Unilever announced an agreement to combine its Foods business with McCormick & Company, creating a scaled global flavor powerhouse. The proposed combination would bring together iconic Foods brands, including Hellmann’s and Knorr, with McCormick’s portfolio to create a global leader across spices, seasonings, condiments and complementary food categories, supported by strong retail and foodservice platforms. McCormick brings more than 135 years of heritage, a presence in 150+ countries and territories, and a portfolio of trusted brands. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, with completion estimated for mid-2027. 

JOB PURPOSE 

Lead the transportation strategy and execution agenda across ensuring reliable customer service, cost-effective freight movement, carrier performance, and operational resilience across the logistics network. The Associate Director Transportation partners with Warehousing, Planning, Procurement, Finance, technology teams, and third-party logistics providers to strengthen transportation capabilities, mitigate risk, and deliver measurable service and cost outcomes. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Accountable for leading transportation performance across service, cost, safety, compliance, carrier management, and network reliability. This role sets direction, builds governance, and drives cross-functional alignment to ensure transportation operations support customer commitments and business objectives. 

• Lead transportation strategy, execution governance, and performance management across domestic freight, carrier operations, and logistics partners. 

• Own transportation KPIs, including service, cost, tender acceptance, on-time delivery, claims, detention, capacity, and customer-impacting escalations. 

• Partner with Procurement to shape carrier sourcing, contract strategy, supplier performance routines, and continuous improvement plans. 

• Collaborate with Warehousing, Planning, Finance, and 3PLs to resolve transportation risks, optimize network flow, and protect customer service. 

• Drive cost productivity, process simplification, digital enablement, and operational controls that improve transportation reliability and decision-making. 

• Build team and partner capability through clear priorities, disciplined performance routines, issue escalation, and change management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, Business, Engineering, or a related field. 

• Significant experience leading transportation, logistics, carrier management, distribution, customer operations, or supply chain execution in a complex operating environment. 

• Strong analytical and financial acumen with ability to translate transportation data, cost drivers, service trends, and operational risks into clear actions. 

• Proven stakeholder leadership, influencing, communication, and change management skills across internal teams and external logistics partners. 

• Ability to manage competing priorities, escalations, service commitments, and improvement agendas in a fast-paced supply chain environment. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience with transportation management systems, SAP, Power BI, logistics scorecards, carrier portals, or data visualization tools. 

• Experience leading carrier sourcing, 3PL performance management, freight productivity, network optimization, or logistics transformation initiatives. 

• Knowledge of transportation compliance, claims, detention and demurrage, sustainability, safety, or continuous improvement methodologies. 

We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.  

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment journey. Should you require additional information or reasonable adjustments to allow you to present your best self during this process, please contact your Talent Partner. 

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At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do. We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.

Unilever is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities.

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Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.

If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected]. Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.