Sourcing Logistics Expert (Chicago)
13 hours ago
Chicago
We are looking for a Strategic Sourcing Expert in Logistics to own the end-to-end sourcing and lifecycle management of Industrial Safety & PPE / Industrial Supplies industry, with a strong B2B distribution and manufacturing-adjacent profile. The role focuses on transport and warehouse, covering the full lifecycle: sourcing, commercial structuring, transport and warehouse strategy, maintenance concepts, and cost optimization. We are deliberately open to candidates from different backgrounds — including strategic sourcing, logistics procurement, transport management, or commercial/sales roles with equipment manufacturers or service providers — as long as you bring strong commercial judgment and a lifecycle mindset. Key Responsibilities: • Develop and implement end-to-end category strategies for logistics services, including:, • Transportation: FTL, LTL, parcel, intermodal (where applicable), • Warehousing: ambient, value-added services, overflow and peak-capacity solutions, • Align logistics sourcing strategies with the business growth, network design, and customer service objectives., • Deliver measurable value through cost savings, lane optimization, specification and service-level standardization, and supplier consolidation., • Lead should-cost analyses, TCO modeling, and benchmarking across transport and warehousing categories., • Analyze key cost drivers (fuel, labor, capacity, service levels, network configuration)., • Use data and market intelligence to anticipate risks, inflation exposure, and capacity constraints., • Structure and negotiate commercial models (purchase, leasing, lease-to-own, service-inclusive models)., • Own the full asset lifecycle from specification to end-of-life., • Optimize total cost of ownership (TCO) across capex, maintenance, servicing, and downtime., • Work with engineering and operations to standardize specifications and reduce fleet complexity., • Manage regional supplier relationships (OEMs, dealers, leasing companies, service providers)., • Partner closely with airport operations, engineering, safety, and finance teams., • Ensure compliance with local regulations, airport standards, and safety requirements., • Translate operational requirements into effective sourcing and contracting solutions., • Identify, qualify, and manage strategic carriers, 3PLs, warehouse operators, and logistics service providers., • Prepare, run strategic sourcing events (RFI, RFP, negotiations, eAuctions where applicable) and contract negotiations, including:, • Rate structures and indexation mechanisms, • SLAs, KPIs, and service performance standards, • Safety, compliance, and insurance requirements Requirements: • University degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) or equivalent professional experience., • 4–7+ years of experience in:, • Strategic sourcing or category management experience., • Logistics sourcing, fleet sourcing, or heavy equipment categories., • Experience with RFQs/RFPs, negotiations, and contract management., • Experience managing or sourcing vehicle fleets or logistics assets., • Strong understanding of maintenance, uptime, and operational requirements., • Exposure to TCO-driven decision-making., • Strong exposure to road transport and time-critical logistics; air freight experience is a plus., • Experience in Industrial Safety & PPE / Industrial Supplies, food logistics, FMCG, or similarly operationally intensive environments is highly desirable., • Solid understanding of transportation markets, pricing mechanisms, and cost drivers., • Strong analytical and stakeholder communication skills., • Comfortable working in international, matrix-driven organizations., • Fluent in English or another language (e.g. Spanish, French, German) is an advantage., • Execution-oriented with a strong operational mindset., • Structured, pragmatic, and resilient in fast-paced environments., • Curious and motivated to deepen transportation and logistics expertise in an aviation context.