3PL Warehousing Category Manager

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Where is the work:

What's in it for you:

The 3PL Warehousing Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing and category strategies for third-party logistics (3PL) warehousing and related distribution services across North America and EMEA. This role partners closely with business leaders, strategic business units (SBUs), and cross-functional stakeholders to identify, evaluate, and implement warehousing and distribution solutions that support service, cost, quality, and risk objectives.

This position leads key procurement and commercial activities including category strategy development, supplier selection, bid management, business case development, contract negotiation, contract lifecycle management, and supplier performance management. The role also works collaboratively with internal stakeholders to optimize warehousing and distribution networks, improve operational efficiency, and drive value through standardization, innovation, and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will bring strong procurement and commercial acumen, experience managing supplier relationships and complex negotiations, and the ability to work effectively across a global organization. This role requires a strong communicator who can influence across functions and regions, navigate diverse EMEA business and cultural environments, and operate with a high degree of ownership and initiative.

What you will do:

• Develop, recommend, and lead sourcing and commercial strategies for 3PL warehousing and related logistics services across North America and EMEA, including warehousing, shuttle operations, yard management, and other distribution-related solutions.

• Lead implementation and ongoing management of preferred provider programs for 3PL warehousing and logistics services.

• Serve as the primary procurement point of contact for strategic relationship management with 3PL providers.

• Partner with internal customers and cross-functional stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into sourcing strategies and supplier solutions.

• Develop RFIs and RFQs based on business needs and lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including supplier evaluation, bid analysis, negotiation, and award recommendations.

• Build scenario analyses and business cases to support decision-making for new 3PL implementations, contract renewals, and network changes.

• Establish contractual performance metrics and key performance indicators to support supplier accountability and operational performance.

• Negotiate commercial terms, lead contract development activities, and coordinate contract approvals, renewals, amendments, and repository updates.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to review and approve out-of-scope costs through defined work order processes or contract amendments.

• Monitor supplier performance and lead quarterly business reviews with key suppliers to drive accountability, service improvement, and value creation.

• Develop and maintain a robust 3PL provider pool aligned to business needs, market capabilities, and long-term category strategy.

• Coordinate implementation activities between 3PL providers and SBU resources to support successful transitions and operational execution.

• Benchmark current inbound and outbound distribution networks and support business process changes that improve network efficiency and effectiveness.

• Utilize internal expertise, company initiatives, and customer requirements to develop decision models that identify optimal 3PL partners and warehousing solutions.

• Partner closely with Materials, Distribution, and Sales leaders to ensure product flow is effectively supported by 3PL distribution providers.

• Collaborate with the Trane Technologies Real Estate team on internal warehouse solutions, including site searches, lease terms, and commercial negotiations.

• Partner with Legal, Risk Management, and EHS teams to support compliant and effective contract execution.

• Collaborate with Commodity Management to support Supplier Owned Managed Inventory (SOMI) requirements, as needed.

• Share best practices across warehouse and distribution operations, including process design, pick-pack-ship operations, systems usage, KPI reporting, and productivity improvement.

• Create, develop, implement, and lead projects that deliver year-over-year productivity, process improvement, and supply chain efficiency gains.

• Advance functional standard work and identify opportunities to improve governance, consistency, and scalability across the category.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Operations, or a related field.
• 5+ years of relevant experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, logistics, warehousing, transportation, supplier management, or related commercial roles.
• Demonstrated experience leading sourcing events, supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and contract lifecycle management.
• Experience developing business cases, performing cost and budget analysis, and making data-driven recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives from strategy development through implementation in a matrixed environment.
• Experience working across North America and EMEA, including the ability to navigate regional business practices and adapt effectively across different cultural environments.
• Strong business and commercial acumen, with the ability to connect sourcing decisions to operational performance, service outcomes, cost management, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex commercial and operational topics clearly, concisely, and credibly to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to translate analysis into practical business action.
• Working knowledge of warehousing and distribution operations, including material flow, process design, performance metrics, material handling, automation, and logistics network considerations.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint; experience with Dataiku or similar analytics tools is preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Procurement Mindset: Ability to develop and execute category strategies that balance cost, service, quality, risk, and long-term business needs.
• Commercial Acumen: Strong negotiation, contracting, and supplier management capability, with the ability to identify value levers and deliver favorable commercial outcomes.
• Cross-Cultural Agility: Demonstrated effectiveness working across North America and EMEA, with the ability to adapt communication and stakeholder engagement approaches across different cultures and business environments.
• Communication and Influence: Strong communicator who can build credibility, align stakeholders, and influence decisions across functions, regions, and organizational levels.
• Ownership and Initiative: Highly self-directed and internally motivated, with a strong sense of accountability, follow-through, and urgency.
• Comfort with Ambiguity: Able to create structure, assess options, and drive progress in situations where requirements or priorities may be evolving.
• Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to build strong, collaborative relationships with internal customers, cross-functional partners, and external suppliers.
• Analytical Rigor: Ability to interpret data, evaluate trade-offs, and support sound business decisions through fact-based analysis.
• Change Leadership: Ability to lead and support change across a large organization with persistence, collaboration, and practical execution.
• Continuous Improvement Orientation: Commitment to standardization, process improvement, innovation, and ongoing productivity enhancement.

Annual Base Salary Range or Hourly Base Pay Range:

Compensation Type:

Incentive Eligible:

Sales Commission Eligible:

Disclaimer : We strive to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to a variety of factors. The actual compensation will depend on elements such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Our compensation range is generally based on the national average for the country. Additionally, benefits may vary depending on the region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.

Thrive at work and at home:

• Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!
• Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
• Paid time off includes up to 15 vacation days, paid holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
• 401K match up, educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.

Disclaimer: Benefit offerings may vary by site as well as Collective Bargaining Agreements and local/state regulations

Safety Sensitive Role:

The company designates certain roles as Safety Sensitive. Safety Sensitive roles may require that you pass additional drug screening.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.