Senior Transportation & Logistics Manager

About the role

By joining Bio-Techne, you'll join a company with a powerful and positive purpose of enabling cutting-edge research in Life Sciences and Clinical Diagnostics. Bio-Techne, and all of its brands, provides tools for researchers to further treat and prevent disease worldwide.

Pay Range

$100,800.00 - $165,600.00

Position Summary

The Senior Transportation & Logistics Manager is responsible for designing, optimizing, and managing Bio-Techne's global transportation and logistics strategy. This role will operate as an individual contributor, personally executing and overseeing logistics operations while establishing the frameworks, carrier relationships, and processes needed to support a scalable, global function.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on operator who can also think strategically about network design, cost optimization, and compliance across international shipping lanes, and who is comfortable building infrastructure from the ground up before scaling a team.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Network Design

• Develop and execute a global transportation and logistics strategy aligned with Bio-Techne's supply chain and business objectives
• Assess current logistics network (domestic and international) and identify opportunities for cost reduction, service improvement, and risk mitigation
• Design scalable processes and systems in anticipation of future team growth

Carrier & Vendor Management

• Lead carrier selection, negotiation, and contract management for parcel, LTL, FTL, ocean, and air freight across global regions
• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, 3PLs, customs brokers, and other logistics service providers
• Conduct regular performance reviews (KPIs/SLAs) with carriers and vendors

Global Trade Compliance & Regulatory

• Ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, including import/export controls, customs documentation, and hazardous materials/dangerous goods shipping requirements (critical given Bio-Techne's biological and chemical reagent products)
• Partner with Legal/Trade Compliance teams on classification (HTS codes), licensing, and country-specific regulatory requirements
• Stay current on evolving global trade regulations (tariffs, sanctions, free trade agreements) and adjust logistics strategy accordingly

Cost Management & Analytics

• Own the transportation budget; identify and implement cost-saving initiatives
• Analyze freight spend, transit times, and service levels to drive continuous improvement
• Develop dashboards/reporting for logistics KPIs (on-time delivery, cost per shipment, damage/loss rates, etc.)

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Manufacturing, Distribution, Customer Service, and Sales teams to ensure product availability and timely delivery to customers worldwide
• Support new product launches, facility moves, and M&A integration from a logistics perspective
• Collaborate with Quality/Regulatory teams to ensure proper handling of temperature-sensitive and biologically sensitive shipments (cold chain logistics)

Risk Management & Continuity

• Develop contingency plans for supply chain disruptions (port delays, capacity constraints, natural disasters, geopolitical events)
• Manage cargo insurance and claims processes

Future Team Leadership (as function scales)

• Define organizational structure and hiring plan for a future transportation/logistics team
• Establish training, SOPs, and knowledge transfer documentation to support team scaling

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of progressive experience in transportation and logistics management, including global/international logistics
• Demonstrated experience managing carrier relationships and negotiating freight contracts across multiple modes (ocean, air, ground - heavy concentration on ground & air for parcel shipments)
• Strong knowledge of international trade compliance, customs regulations, and import/export requirements
• Experience working independently as an individual contributor while managing complex, multi-region scope
• Proficiency with TMS (Transportation Management Systems), ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and data analysis tools (Excel, Power BI, etc.)
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and project management skills
• Excellent cross-functional communication skills; ability to influence without direct authority
• Familiarity with cold chain / temperature-controlled and hazardous materials (dangerous goods) shipping

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in life sciences, biotech, pharmaceutical, or diagnostics industries
• Experience building or scaling a logistics function/team
• Certifications such as APICS/ASCM, CTL (Certified in Transportation and Logistics), or IATA/DG certification
• Experience with M&A logistics integration

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to investigate operational issues and perform root cause analysis.
• Experience managing customer-facing service issues and complaint resolution.
• Strong understanding of order fulfillment, shipping, and distribution processes.
• Ability to monitor, interpret, and improve operational performance metrics.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and manage changing operational demands.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Commitment to safety, compliance, and continuous improvement.