Senior Manager DC Operations & Transport Management

Distribution Center

Purpose

The Senior Manager DC Operations & Transport Management is accountable for the end‑to‑end performance of a large, multi‑channel Distribution Center, including warehouse operations, domestic and international transportation, and import flows.
This role owns operational execution, service, cost, and people performance, while ensuring strong alignment with regional and global Supply Chain strategies. The Senior Manager leads continuous improvement across operations and transport, drives cross‑functional collaboration, and builds high‑performing teams and partnerships to support current and future business growth.

Key Responsibilities

Distribution Center Operations

• Provide overall leadership and operational ownership for all DC activities, including inbound, outbound, returns, inventory control, and automation-enabled processes.
• Ensure reliable, efficient, and safe warehouse operations in a large, multi‑channel environment.
• Drive operational excellence through KPI management, performance reviews, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with adidas standards related to safety, quality, service, sustainability, and labor practices.
• Lead capacity, volume, and resource planning in close collaboration with Supply Chain Planning and Global teams.
• Act as the escalation point for operational risks and disruptions, ensuring rapid resolution and minimal impact on service.

Transport Management & Logistics

• Own the end‑to‑end transport management scope, including direct carrier management and management of transportation service providers (3PLs).
• Accountable for domestic and international transportation, linehaul, last‑mile delivery, and cross‑border logistics.
• Define, manage, and optimize transport budgets, tenders, contracts, and SLAs with logistics suppliers.
• Drive continuous optimization of transport costs, service levels, and network efficiency.
• Lead performance management of carriers and logistics partners through data‑driven KPI governance.

Import & Global Freight Operations

• Hold overall responsibility for import operations, including ocean freight, import planning, customs clearance, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure seamless coordination with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and internal stakeholders to guarantee timely and compliant imports.
• Proactively manage risks related to customs, documentation, and international logistics disruptions.
• Drive alignment with global logistics strategies, standards, and processes.

People Leadership & Organization Development

• Lead and develop a team of 7 professionals, including one people manager with an indirect team, as well as direct reports.
• Build a strong leadership culture focused on accountability, engagement, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Ensure clear role ownership, effective performance management, coaching, and succession planning.
• Champion health, safety, wellbeing, and employee engagement across the organization.
• Act as a role model for adidas values, inclusive leadership, and cross‑functional teamwork.

Financial Management & KPIs

• Own full budget responsibility across DC operations and transportation (OPEX and CAPEX where applicable).
• Define, track, and improve key KPIs including service level, cost, productivity, OTIF, inventory accuracy, and transport performance.
• Translate data and insights into actionable improvement plans with measurable results.
• Support long‑term cost‑to‑serve optimization and productivity initiatives.

Stakeholder & Global Collaboration

• Work closely with Global and Regional Supply Chain teams to align local execution with adidas global strategy.
• Partner with Planning, Customer Operations, Finance, Procurement, and Technology teams to drive end‑to‑end supply chain performance.
• Represent the DC and Logistics function in cross‑functional and global forums.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong end‑to‑end understanding of distribution center operations, transportation management, and import logistics.
• Proven ability to manage complex operations through both direct teams and external service providers.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing budgets and cost optimization initiatives.
• Data‑driven decision maker with excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Confident communicator, able to influence across functions and levels, locally and globally.
• Hands‑on leader who can balance strategy with day‑to‑day execution.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, with advanced Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and performance tracking
• Experience working with operational and logistics information systems, including Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), and system integrations
• Solid working knowledge of SAP, including logistics, inventory, and supply chain–related modules
• Ability to work effectively across multiple internal and external interfaces
• Proven experience managing and collaborating with external suppliers and 3PL service providers
• Strong commercial acumen with highly developed negotiation skills
• Proven experience leading and managing logistics and transportation tenders
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to make data‑driven, business‑focused decisions

Experience & Qualifications

• Significant experience in senior operations, DC management, transport, or logistics roles within a large‑scale supply chain environment.
• Proven people leadership experience, including direct and indirect team management.
• Experience working with global stakeholders and international logistics flows.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Business, or a related field (Master’s degree is a plus).
• Fluent English required; additional languages are an advantage.

Reporting Line

• Reports to: Director, Supply Chain Management (SCM)