Senior Transportation Cost Analyst

Job description

The Senior Transportation Cost Analyst is a key financial and operational leader within the Materials Group, responsible for driving transportation cost controls, process automation, and strategic freight savings. Operating in a hybrid model, this role bridges analytical rigor with operational execution by directly managing carrier and vendor partnerships and evaluating contract compliance. The ideal candidate possesses deep contractual expertise to eliminate revenue leakage, streamline Freight Audit & Payment (FAP) processes, and accurately project weekly logistics expenditures.

Work Model

Hybrid (3 days in office, 2 days remote).

Key Responsibilities

FAP & Carrier Relationship Management Directly manage the operational relationship and performance between our Freight Audit & Payment (FAP) vendor and carrier base. Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive clean aging, automate FAP workflows, and boost system throughput. Leverage transportation contract expertise to identify actual carrier invoices against contractual agreements, identify discrepancies, enforce contract terms, and build sustainable solutions to eliminate spend leakage.

Freight Forecasting & Financial Oversight Develop weekly freight financial forecasts, analyzing trends and projecting spend metrics structured around cost. Establish site-level cost targets and build weekly financial reporting frameworks for leadership across the Materials Group. Proactively investigate financial variances, conducting root-cause analysis to implement permanent corrective measures. Cost Savings & Network Optimization Identify, scope, and execute strategic cost-out projects across Parcel, International, and reverse logistics networks in addition to Outbound spend.

Utilize Enterprise Lean Sigma (ELS) and process automation to optimize financial workflows and eliminate manual bottlenecks. Build and maintain data dashboards (Excel, Tableau, Oracle BI) to monitor cost-out project pipelines, recovery rates, and freight trends.

Qualifications

Education

A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Finance, Logistics, or Engineering is preferred, but equivalent practical supply chain and financial analysis experience will be fully accepted in lieu of a degree.

Experience

5+ years of extensive, hands-on experience in transportation operations, logistics financial analysis, or freight contract administration.

Contractual Expertise

Advanced understanding of transportation contracts, freight tariffs, rate structures, and carrier negotiation frameworks.

Technical Skills

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets (complex formulas, modeling), TMS platforms (Oracle OTM, JDA), and BI reporting tools.

Leadership & Management

Proven ability to manage direct reports, mentor team members, and drive cross-functional alignment.

Working Conditions Work Model

Hybrid (combination of remote work and on-site collaboration at the Mentor, OH facility).

Travel

Occasional travel (up to 10%) to distribution centers or operational facilities for strategic planning sessions.