Carrier Relations Lead - Europe

CARRIER RELATIONS LEAD Strategy & Network Expansion

• Lead Pan-European end-to-end RFP processes: Identify, vet, select, and implement new carriers to support business growth and cost-saving initiatives.
• Network Design: Maintain and evolve a comprehensive parcel carrier strategy for our European fulfillment centers, balancing National Posts (e.g., DHL, La Poste) with regional heroes and final mile specialists.
• Cost Optimization: Formulate recommendations for domestic and international strategies by analyzing spend patterns and forecasting demand.

Commercial & Margin Management

• Pricing & Margin Control: Own the "Buy/Sell" rate spread. Set customer facing rate cards and manage gross margin health to ensure parcel services meet profitability targets.
• Surcharge & Pass Through Management: Monitor carrier surcharges (fuel, peak, etc.) and ensure accurate pass through logic to protect company margins.

Compliance & Sales Enablement

• Regulatory Expertise: Serve as the internal SME for UK/EU tax and compliance (VAT, IOSS, Customs Duties, EORI) specifically as they relate to our fulfillment services and software products.
• Technical Sales Support: Support the Sales and Solutions teams in high stakes prospect meetings, providing the expert guidance needed to solve a client's complex cross border shipping hurdles.

Carrier Management & Accountability

• Daily Problem Solving: Act as the primary escalation point for day to day carrier issues, including missed pickups, capacity constraints, and hub injections.
• Performance Accountability: Monitor carrier performance against SLAs; host regular business reviews (QBRs) and hold carriers financially or operationally accountable for service failures.
• Process Engineering: Create and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that bridge the gap between our fulfillment centers and carrier operations.
• Cross Border Excellence: Manage the complexities of intra EU shipping and non EU lanes (e.g., UK, Switzerland), ensuring carriers navigate customs and transit requirements seamlessly.

Analytics & Collaboration

• Cross Functional Alignment: Work closely with Finance, Operations, and CX to ensure logistics strategies align with broader business goals.
• Metric Ownership: Drive improvements in key performance indicators (KPIs) including On Time Delivery (OTD), Ship to Deliver speed, and cost per package.

Data Translation

• Use SQL and BI tools to turn complex shipping data into actionable insights for leadership.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in logistics, transportation, or supply chain operations, with a proven track record in the European parcel market.
• Market Knowledge: Deep understanding of the European carrier landscape, including PUDO (Pick Up Drop Off) networks and Out of Home (OOH) delivery trends.
• RFP Proficiency: Practical experience running formal RFPs and negotiating commercial contracts with major European carriers.
• Technical Skills: Advanced Excel is required. Proficiency in BI tools (Tableau, Power BI, or Looker) is essential. SQL skills preferred.
• System Fluency: Experience working within WMS, TMS, or ERP environments (e.g., SAP, Manhattan, Blue Yonder).
• Communication: The ability to be "firm but fair" with external partners and clear when presenting data to internal stakeholders.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Professional fluency in English is required. Proficiency in additional EU languages is a plus.