Director - International Freight Sourcing

Job ID: 18349 

Newell Brands is a leading consumer products company with a portfolio of iconic brands like Graco®, Coleman®, Oster®, Rubbermaid®, Sharpie® and Yankee Candle® - and 24,000 talented teammates around the world. Our culture is built on values in action: Integrity, Teamwork, Passion for Winning, Ownership, and Leadership. We work together to win, grow, and make a real impact—supported by a high-performing, inclusive, and collaborative environment where you can be your best, every day. 

Position Summary

The Director, International Freight Sourcing leads global ocean and air freight sourcing and capacity planning across business units and regions.  This role shapes carrier partnerships and sourcing decisions that support reliable service, competitive costs and supply continuity.

Leading a global team of approximately 22 logistics and procurement professionals, the Director partners with Planning, Operations, Finance, IT and business-unit teams to turn business priorities into practical freight strategies. The role offers the opportunity to develop people, improve logistics capabilities and influence how the company moves products worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

International Freight Sourcing and Supplier Management

• Develop and execute annual ocean and air freight sourcing plans aligned with business priorities and budgets.
• Lead competitive bids, supplier evaluations, negotiations, awards, contracting and implementation. Balance cost, capacity, service and risk when selecting carriers and providers.
• Manage strategic working relationships with ocean carriers, freight forwarders and other logistics service providers.
• Use business reviews and scorecards to address performance, improve service and data quality and manage changes to the provider portfolio.

Ocean Capacity Management                               

• Manage contracted capacity, carrier allocations, forecasts and shipment priorities with Planning, Operations and business-unit teams.
• Develop allocation and contingency plans for seasonal peaks, product launches and market disruptions and execute them with Planning and Operations.
• Manage capacity gaps and lead cross-functional recovery actions to protect supply continuity.

Productivity and Cost Management

• Maintain a prioritized pipeline of productivity initiatives with clear owners, implementation plans, timing and financial impact.
• Partner with Finance to validate savings, manage category budgets, analyze variances and maintain accurate financial reporting.
• Identify opportunities to reduce premium freight, improve container utilization, consolidate shipments, optimize cargo routing and increase contract compliance.
• Provide transparent performance updates, risks and corrective actions to procurement and logistics leadership.

Logistics Capabilities and Process Improvement

• Partner with Information Technology and program leaders to implement and improve origin management and shipment visibility capabilities.
• Standardize capacity planning, booking, visibility and direct import processes across participating regions and business units. Improve reporting, analytics, data quality and adoption of appropriate automation tools.

Network Optimization and Supply Continuity

• Provide international transportation expertise to global and regional network optimization initiatives.
• Monitor freight markets, rates, regulatory changes and geopolitical developments. Develop contingency plans and coordinate recovery actions with Operations and Planning for peak periods, port disruptions, capacity gaps and geopolitical events.
• Evaluate routing alternatives, ports, consolidation models, transportation modes and provider solutions based on cost, service and risk.
• Assess transportation implications associated with business growth, product transitions, supplier changes, manufacturing shifts and inventory strategies.

People Leadership

• Set clear priorities and performance expectations, coach team members and support development and succession planning.
• Manage workload and resources, strengthen sourcing and logistics skills and encourage collaboration across regions and functions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Procurement, Business, Finance, Engineering or a related field.
• 10 years of progressive experience in sourcing, global logistics, transportation, category management or supply chain leadership.
• Strong analytical and financial skills, including budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis and savings validation.
• Clear communication and sound judgment, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders, work across functions and manage competing priorities during disruptions.
• Experience leading sourcing events and negotiating with ocean carriers, freight forwarders or logistics providers, with a track record of savings and service improvements.
• Knowledge of global ocean and air freight markets, carrier contracts, rate structures, capacity management and international trade lanes.
• Experience leading and developing geographically dispersed teams in a global organization.

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Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie, Graco, Coleman, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, Yankee Candle, Paper Mate, FoodSaver, Dymo, EXPO, Elmer’s, Oster, NUK, Spontex and Campingaz. We are focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday moments. Newell Brands and its subsidiaries are Equal Opportunity Employers and comply with applicable employment laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled are encouraged to apply.