Vice President, Transportation Lead at L'Oréal in Cranbury, NJ

Job description

• Are you ready to lead one of the most dynamic, large-scale consumer goods transportation networks in North America?
• As the Head of North America Transportation, you will own and transform the end-to-end physical flow of goods. Reporting directly to senior operations leadership within North America Fulfillment Services (NAFS), you will serve as the executive leader bridging day-to-day operational execution (Operate) with strategic capability building, governance, and digital transformation (Build & Adapt / NOE).
• Your scope spans the entire value chain: inbound freight from global suppliers into our manufacturing plants, plant-to-distribution center replenishment, and outbound delivery from our DC network to major retail partners, salons, specialty channels, and directly to consumers’ doorsteps.
• You will lead the strategy and operational execution across three vital business mandates:
• Cost-to-Serve Optimization: Partnering with Indirect Sourcing and commercial divisions to drive structural freight efficiencies, mode conversions (LTL to TL/Intermodal), and payload optimization.
• Customer Service Excellence: Driving flawless On-Time Pickup (OTPU) and On-Time Delivery (OTD) performance through carrier relationship management and tight integration with our distribution center network.
• Sustainable Logistics & Decarbonization: Leading the L'Oréal for the Future (L4TF) transportation agenda, implementing green freight initiatives, and meeting aggressive carbon reduction targets while supporting aggressive business growth.

Responsibilities

• P&L and Financial Stewardship: Manage the North America transportation budget. Drive cost-to-serve reduction initiatives, eliminate operational waste (accessorials, detention, expedited freight), and ensure financial predictability.
• Network Execution & Performance: Lead domestic operations, international freight forwarding, dedicated fleets, and final-mile delivery across all North American channels (B2B, Retail, Specialty, and D2C).
• Service Delivery: Maintain top-tier SLA compliance, focusing on On-Time Pickup (OTPU), On-Time Delivery (OTD), carrier capacity commitments, and retailer compliance chargeback minimization.
• Carrier Strategy & Sourcing Alignment: In close partnership with Indirect Sourcing, drive strategic carrier allocation, master service agreements, rate negotiations, quarterly business reviews (QBRs), and performance scorecards.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Partner with Plant Managers, DC Operations Leaders, Customer Care, and Commercial Divisions to align shipping schedules, prebuild movements, and peak volume execution.
• Global NOE Governance: Act as the North American leader for the Global Transportation Network of Excellence (NOE). Deploy global standards, KPI definitions, auditing frameworks, and operating methodologies across the zone.
• Digital Suite & Systems (TMS/SAP): Own the roadmap, rollout, and optimization of our next-generation Transportation Management Systems (TMS), tracking tools, parcel rate-shopping engines, and operational analytics platforms.
• Network Redesign & Growth Strategy: Partner with Engineering and Fulfillment NOE leaders on multi-year network studies, identifying optimal flow paths, cross-dock opportunities, and fulfillment center positioning.
• Systems Remediation & Continuous Improvement: Lead operational readiness, post-go-live stabilization, and data cleansing initiatives following enterprise ERP and WMS implementations.
• Decarbonization Roadmap: Lead the zone transportation sustainability strategy to achieve company Net Zero targets.
• Green Freight Solutions: Evaluate, pilot, and scale lower-emission alternatives, including fleet electrification, alternative fuels, intermodal expansion, and optimized route density to actively offset volume growth.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team across Domestic Operations, International Operations, Continuous Improvement, and Systems.
• Foster a culture of accountability, operational discipline, and cross-functional collaboration across plant, DC, and corporate teams.
• What We Are Looking For

Requirements

• Experience: 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in transportation, logistics, or end-to-end supply chain within large-scale, high-velocity consumer goods (CPG), retail, or complex manufacturing environments.
• Financial & Scale Acumen: Proven track record managing large-scale freight budgets ($100M+) with deep knowledge of North American carrier markets, parcel networks, LTL/TL dynamics, and intermodal transport.
• Systems & Digital Fluency: Extensive experience with enterprise-grade Transportation Management Systems (e.g., SAP TM, OTM, Blue Yonder, Manhattan) and modern visibility/telematics platforms.
• Procurement & Negotiation: Demonstrated success collaborating with sourcing teams on multi-million-dollar RFP events, contract negotiation, and carrier relationship management.
• Operational Mindset: Strong root-cause problem-solving capabilities with a bias toward data-driven execution and operational discipline.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, or related discipline (Master’s/MBA preferred).
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time, permanent, ongoing basis is required. No immigration support/sponsorship offered for this role
• Being present in the office three days a week is considered an essential function of all office-based roles for eligible full-time employees.
• Direct experience managing international freight, customs clearance, and global ocean/air lanes.
• Proven leadership in logistics sustainability programs (SmartWay, carbon accounting, alternative fleet deployment).
• High executive presence with the ability to influence cross-functional leaders, divisional general managers, and global stakeholders.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and motivate teams.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, data analysis tools, and Solvace.

Skills

Required

• Modern visibility/telematics platforms
• Root-cause problem-solving
• Data-driven execution
• Operational discipline

Preferred

• International freight management
• Customs clearance
• Global ocean/air lanes
• Executive presence
• Influence cross-functional leaders
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Data analysis tools
• Solvace

Benefits

• Salary Range: $212,500 - 250,000 base salary (The actual compensation will depend on a variety of job-related factors which may include geographic location, work experience, education, and skill level)
• Competitive Benefit Package (Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K, Pension Plan)
• Hybrid Work Policy (3 Days in Office, 2 Days Work from Home)
• Flexible Time Off (Paid Company Holidays, Paid Vacation, Vacation Buy Program, Volunteer Time, Summer Fridays & More!)
• Access to Company Perks (VIP Access to L’Oréal’s Internal Shop for Discounted Products, Monthly Mobile Allowance)
• Learning & Development Opportunities (Unlimited Access to E-learnings, Lunch & Learn Sessions, Mentorship Programs, & More!)
• Employee Resource Groups (Think Tanks and Innovation Squads)
• Access to Mental Health & Wellness Programs
• To learn more about L’Oréal’s commitment to sustainability, please click HERE