Program Manager, Returnable Container Operations & Logistics

Program Manager, Returnable Container Operations & Logistics

Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what's possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations.

Rivian is seeking a highly motivated, floor-focused, and data-driven Program Manager, Returnable Container Operations & Logistics to lead the end-to-end physical lifecycle, strategy, and execution of our reusable packaging and container fleet. This is not a traditional, desk-bound corporate PM role. You will be the critical, hands-on link bridging shop floor reality with external partner accountability, ensuring our manufacturing facilities have 100% container availability to support production. You will have direct operational and financial accountability over our 3rd-Party Logistics (3PL) container management vendor, while acting as the primary liaison between component suppliers, the 3PL, and internal Rivian teams. Your mission is to optimize fleet utilization, establish strict maintenance and cleaning protocols, minimize loss through rigorous asset counts, and champion circular economy practices across our supply chain. This role will be onsite in Normal, IL.

Responsibilities:

• Fleet Maintenance, Quality & Asset Control
• Cleaning & Process Definition: Define, implement, and lead the standardized process for the cleaning of returnable packaging, including specific steps, quality standards, and cleaning cadences.
• Preventative Maintenance (PM): Define and implement preventative maintenance schedules for all existing and new returnable packaging assets. Lead this initiative from the front with a strict, scheduled cadence to maximize asset lifecycle.
• Rigorous Asset Counts: Coordinate and execute comprehensive internal and external (parts suppliers) physical asset counts at designated intervals (quarterly or semi-annual basis) to maintain absolute inventory integrity and eliminate fleet shrinkage.
• Shop Floor Operations & Continuous Improvement
• Gemba & Floor Presence: Maintain a strong daily presence on the production and warehouse floor to directly observe container utilization, identify bottlenecks, and collaborate face-to-face with Plant Operations and Material Supply teams.
• Data-Driven Optimization: Leverage data analytics to transition container management from a reactive "shortage response" model to a predictive, proactive planning model, auditing physical container flows to back up the data.
• 3PL Vendor & Supplier Accountability
• Vendor Enforcement: Own operational and cost accountability for the 3rd-party container operations vendor (3PL), tracking performance against strict SLAs regarding container sorting, cleaning, maintenance, and dispatching.
• Root Cause & Compliance: Root cause supply chain issues, support prompt resolution of escalations, and establish chargeback mechanisms for component suppliers regarding lost, damaged, or misused assets.
• Financial Controls: Audit 3PL billing, dwell times, and inventory accuracy to optimize total cost of ownership (TCO). Drive improvements in CapEx/OpEx budgets via loop optimization.
• Cross-Functional Program Management
• NPI & Logistics Loops: Partner with Packaging Engineering during new product introductions (NPI) to ensure packaging designs translate seamlessly into efficient, repeatable logistical loops.
• Line-Stoppage Prevention: Partner with Material Planning and Plant Operations to align container return loops with production schedules, ensuring zero downtime.
• Work Environment & Physical Presence
• On-Site Requirement: This is a 100% on-site role based out of our Normal, IL manufacturing facility.
• Active Floor Auditing: Candidates must be comfortable splitting their time between a professional office environment and actively walking, auditing, and investigating container flows on the high-activity warehouse and manufacturing shop floors.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Business, or a related field or years of experience in lieu of education.
• Experience: 4+ years of experience specifically focused on returnable asset management, container fleet logistics, or industrial packaging operations—ideally within the automotive, EV, or heavy manufacturing industries. (General project/program management experience without specific container/returnable asset management experience will not be considered).
• Vendor Management: Proven track record of managing 3PL vendors, contract enforcement, and holding external partners accountable to physical maintenance, cleaning, and sorting KPIs.
• Systems Fluency: Proficiency with ERP/WMS systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), Asset Tracking software (RFID/GPS), Transportation Management Systems (TMS), and Excel/data analytics tools (Tableau, PowerBI).
• Preferred Attributes: Experience establishing preventative maintenance (PM) or quality control loops for industrial dunnage and returnable racks. Deep understanding of automotive dunnage, returnable racks, and standard AIAG packaging guidelines. Exceptional communication and negotiation skills; ability to influence cross-functional floor teams and external suppliers alike.

Pay Disclosure: The salary range for this role is $79,700 - $99,600 for Illinois based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.