Head of Procurement and 3PL Management

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are proud to be a Top 5 global 3PL.

We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

DARE TO GROW! Join CEVA Logistics, and you will be part of a team that values imagination and continued learning and is committed to excellence in everything we do. Join us in our mission to shape the future of global logistics. As we continue growing at a fast pace, will you “Dare to Grow” with us?

YOUR ROLE

As part of the CEVA Lead Logistics (CLL) Management team, and reporting into the CLL Product Leader, the Head of Procurement and 3PL Management defines and oversees the strategy of managing 3PLs and Logistics Service Providers on behalf of CEVA’s 4PL customers.

This role covers the following main areas of responsibility:

• Define and own CEVA Lead Logistics’ strategy and approach to 3PL sourcing, onboarding and performance management
• Oversee and manage 3PL RFQ and tender activities on behalf of CLL’s customers
• Provide Market expertise and insights to internal and external stakeholders

The portfolio of 3PL and Logistics Service providers to be managed spans across all modes of transport (Air, Ocean, Ground / Rail, Parcel) and all geographies globally.

Main areas of focus and accountability of the role – detail in order of importance the main areas of accountability of the role:

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

3PL Management Strategy:

• In alignment with the CLL global management team, develop an approach to sourcing, contracting and managing 3PLs and Logistics Service Providers (LSP) in the scope of 4PL engagements. Understand customer needs and derive a strategy to be offered as integrated part of the global CLL service portfolio. Document Procurement strategy and support creation of marketing materials.
• This covers the following areas:

• 3PL sourcing: develop a process of sourcing 3PL and LSPs through a standardized approach to tendering. Develop supporting documents and tools, such as questionnaires, 3PL evaluation matrix, freight rate templates, 3PL scorecards and final proposal to customers.

• 3PL onboarding: definition of standard 3PL onboarding plans and RACI, combining both operational as well as technical tasks (e.g. EDI onboarding) and development of a standard 3PL SOP, aligned with the global CLL service offering and adaptable to customer’s business requirements.

• 3PL performance management: develop and implement a standardized approach to managing Service Provider performance; This includes definition of standard KPIs and related reporting, setting SLA and performance targets and governance approach (performance meetings, MBR / QBR)

• Develop a process to gather and manage 3PL and LSP information with the aim of centralizing and benchmarking data such as LSP contact information, rate cards, volumes and performance figures.
• Understand technical capabilities with involved CEVA / CLL support functions, such as EDI connectivity, usage of external data sources (e.g. aggregators) and other technology (IOT, AI) as integral part of the service offering.

3PL Tender and RFQ Management:

• Lead and coordinate 3PL sourcing and tendering activities, including market research, defining and launching RFI and RFQ / tenders, data analysis, service provider selection, negotiation and contracting. 
• Where applicable, evaluate and discuss savings expectations through rate negotiations and align with the customer
• Lead and coordinate the integration and onboarding of new 3PL / LSP on behalf of the customer and in collaboration with involved CLL functions. This includes data collection, 3PL SOP creation, coordination of IT and EDI integration, trainings and handovers

Market Expertise and Operational / Customer Support

• Gather extensive market information and support CLL customers’ logistics strategy by providing regular transportation market insights and updates on legislation, regulations or supply chain disruptions, supporting customer initiatives and decision making with specific market knowledge and logistics expertise
• Conduct periodical reviews of customers’ 3PL portfolio in the context of fluctuation in customers’ transportation and supply chain network or changes to environment / market conditions
• Periodically validate current rates against market level and trends

• Support 4PL operational teams by providing subject matter expertise on transportation and supply chain issues (e.g. industry requirements, Dangerous Goods, transport legislation and others)
• Act as senior point of escalation for unresolved (operational or performance) issues with 3PL; liaise and support customer in case of persisting issues with Service Provider performance and propose manage alternative / backup providers.
• Support contract management teams to prepare regular strategy meetings (QBR, MBR) and in performance discussions with the customer

Engineering and Continuous Improvement:

• Work in close collaboration with CLL management teams (Contract Management, Operations Management, Solution Design) to identify and implement value-adding initiatives for CLL customers (e.g. network studies, re-engineering and continuous improvement initiatives)
• Create improvement roadmap with contracted 3PL, leveraging projects such as process automation, digitization (real-time track&trace, e-platforms or similar), network improvements, and others
• Provide expertise in supply chain sustainability, work in close collaboration with customer and internal teams to support customers’ sustainability goals

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

• University degree in Business Administration or comparable work experience
• 12+ years of working experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain or related field, with at least 5 years of experience in a managing role (Operations Management, Project Management, Solution / Network Design, Procurement / Purchasing)
• Practical in-depth experience in at least two modes of transportation (Air, Ocean, Ground, Parcel) including applicable regulations / legislation
• Extensive knowledge and insight of transportation market
• Extended knowledge of Freight rate structure and application across multiple modes of transport
• Experience with procurement processes (RFI / RFP / RFQ) from a supplier or customer side
• Experienced in analysing and managing performance through KPIs, reports and dashboards, leveraging standard tools (MS Office, BI tools (Tableau, Qlik etc.)
• Understanding of Supply Chain sustainability principles (CO2 measurement, emission reductions etc.)

Desirable

• University degree / master with a focus on Supply Chain or Transportation / Logistics
• Experience with transport purchasing, supplier / carrier management or similar, solid knowledge of tendering and service provider implementation processes

CEVA Logistics UK&I is committed to attracting, acquiring and retaining the best possible candidates  in an equal and inclusive way that is consistent with employment legislation and best practice. We aim to select the best available person for  every vacancy irrespective of age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, political beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment and marital or civil partnership status.
Please note that candidates will be subject to the necessary right to work checks for the UK and Ireland.