Assistant Operations Manager Logistics Jobs in Illinois

Job Summary The Senior Category Manager - Logistics is accountable for developing and executing complex logistics category strategies across transportation, distribution, and 4PL services within the United States and broader Americas region. This role serves as the senior regional subject matter expert for logistics procurement, translating global category strategies into regionally compliant, cost-effective, and resilient sourcing solutions that support Fresenius Kabi's regulated pharmaceutical supply chain. Operating with a high degree of independence in a global matrixed environment, the role leads complex sourcing initiatives, manages strategic supplier relationships, and influences senior stakeholders across Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, and Legal to balance cost, service, risk, and sustainability outcomes.
*This position requires working onsite 3 days per week at our U.S. headquarters in Lake Zurich, IL.
*This position does not offer visa sponsorship either now or in the future.
* Salary Range: $158,200-165,000.
* Position is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan with a target of 14% of the base salary.
* Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience level, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
* Our benefits and programs are comprehensive and thoughtfully crafted to ensure our colleagues live healthy lives and have support when it matters most. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with company contributions, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, employee assistance program, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage. Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Governance

• Develop, own and execute multiyear logistics category strategies for 4PL, transport, and distribution across the Americas, fully aligned with global procurement objectives and business priorities.
• Translate global category direction into regionally executable strategies, reflecting U.S. regulatory requirements (FDA, DOT), market conditions, and operational realities.
• Lead category planning, demand forecasting, and initiative prioritization to support growth, product launches, and network changes.
• Ensure category strategies address service resilience, total cost of ownership, compliance, and sustainability.

Strategic Sourcing & Execution

• Convert category strategies into structured annual sourcing roadmaps with clear value, risk, performance outcomes and sustainable pipeline management.
• Lead complex sourcing events including RFPs, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract awards for highvalue logistics services.
• Negotiate robust commercial and service agreements covering rates, SLAs, climate/temperature control requirements, business continuity, and innovative commitments to deliver measurable value (productivity, quality, speed, innovation).
• Leverage and apply market intelligence, freight and energy indices, benchmarking, and analytics to drive factbased sourcing decisions and stakeholder recommendations.
• Ensure full compliance with procurement governance, financial controls, and risk management standards.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and deploy strategic partnerships with leading global and regional logistics providers via a globally defined ecosystem consistent across the Americas.
• Surface regional market insights and partnerships to inform global supplier strategy and portfolio decisions.
• Implement structured supplier performance management, including KPIs, scorecards, QBRs, and continuous improvement plans for supplier consolidation, innovation partnerships, and risk mitigation.
• Feed regional insights on capacity, performance, and emerging providers into global supplier strategy decisions.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as a trusted commercial and strategic partner to Supply Chain, Quality, Regulatory, Finance, Legal, and regional business leaders.
• Ensure logistics sourcing decisions fully support GDP, cold chain, and product integrity requirements.
• Influence senior stakeholders by providing data-driven insights, market intelligence, and clear articulation of tradeoffs and recommendations.
• Support logisticsrelated transformations, network redesigns, and digital initiatives from a procurement perspective.

Value Creation & Continuous Improvement

• Deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes in cost efficiency, service excellence, risk reduction, and environmental impact.
• Drive initiatives to reduce the carbon footprint of transport and distribution, including modal shifts, supplier sustainability programs, and packaging optimization.
• Improve cost transparency across sub-categories through standardized rate cards, engagement models, and spend analytics.
• Contribute to the evolution of procurement processes, tools, policies, and governance frameworks.
• Promote crossregional collaboration and bestpractice sharing across Global Indirect Procurement.

All employees are responsible for ensuring compliance to company documents, programs and activities
related to the Health, Safety, Environment, Energy, and Quality Management Systems, as per your roles
and responsibilities.

Job Requirements

Education

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• MBA or professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, CIPS, Lean Six Sigma) strongly preferred

Experience

• 10+ years of procurement or category management experience, with 5+ years specializing in logistics (4PL, transport, distribution).
• Background in a regulated industry such as pharmaceuticals, biotech, or medical devices strongly preferred.
• Proven experience managing high-value logistics contracts within complex, multinational
  environments.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver cost savings, service improvements, and supplier-led innovation
  through strategic sourcing.

Skills & Competencies

• Deep expertise in US logistics regulations, cold chain requirements, and Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards
• Strong commercial judgment and advanced negotiation capability
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and influence at senior leadership levels
• Highly analytical with well-developed market intelligence and data analysis skills
• Comfortable operating in matrixed, global organizations
• Hands-on, results-oriented leadership style with a continuous improvement mindset

Technical Proficiency

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Copilot a plus
• Experience with digital procurement platforms (e.g., SAP Ariba or equivalent) and Ai technologies
• Working knowledge of ERP systems for sourcing, contracting, and supplier management
• Familiarity with analytics, dashboards, Power BI and data visualization tools a plus

Additional Requirements

• Commitment to corporate values and adherence to company standards and management systems related to Health, Safety, Environment, Energy, and Quality (HSEEQ).
• Willingness to work in a global, multicultural environment and travel as required.
• Ability to operate effectively during periods of change and transformation.
• The Company's primary business language is English. The successful candidate must be able to effectively speak, read, write, and understand English to perform the essential functions of the position, including independently understanding policies, procedures, training materials, and workplace communications written in English due to our heavily regulated work environment.

Additional Information

We offer an excellent salary and benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as life insurance, disability,401K with company contribution, andwellness program.

Please note that joining our team does not create a guaranteed or permanent employment arrangement. All employment is atwill, meaning both the employee and Fresenius Kabi have the right to end the employment relationship at any time, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Fresenius Kabi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.