Ulta Distribution Center Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

OVERVIEW

Imagine. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S. and a thriving supply chain network, there has never been a greater need for people of high initiative, of big-picture thinking, and adaptability to share in our journey. At Ulta Beauty, we have greater ambitions. Growing what works. Iterating in areas that have promise. Creating new offerings for industry advantage.

In all of this is the opportunity to experience real impact, to effectuate change, to give wings to a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurism. Because the challenges are multi-faceted and ever-changing. But for those inspired by real-world demands that press and stretch, that call for new and smarter ideas, that require heavy doses of trust and respect, Ulta Beauty encourages you to imagine with us.

THE IMPACT YOU CAN HAVE:

The Manager, Transportation leads a high-performing team focused on delivering seamless, cost-effective merchandise movement to Ulta Beauty’s Digital guests. This role is responsible for day-to-day carrier performance, team development, and continuous improvement initiatives. With clear accountability for service, capacity, and cost, the manager drives carrier compliance, builds performance metrics, and leads strategic efforts to remove roadblocks and optimize the transportation network. Success in this role means combining strong operational oversight with forward-thinking leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

YOU'LL ACCOMPLISH THESE GOALS BY:

Team leadership and development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Transportation Analysts focused on execution and daily operations across the digital transportation network. Set direction, establish priorities, and drive accountability through clear goals and performance standards.
• Develop each analyst's capability through structured coaching, regular 1:1s, and stretch assignments.
• Build a team operating model with clear role boundaries, decision rights, escalation paths, and a regular performance cadence.

Operational performance and carrier management

• Own day-to-day transportation performance, building and refining scalable processes that enable service excellence and cost efficiency. Use KPIs and operational data to monitor progress and course correct as needed.
• Oversee carrier performance and relationships — including UPS, FedEx, USPS, and regional carriers — ensuring coverage, capacity, and compliance meet expectations. Identify gaps and implement data-driven solutions to improve service or reduce cost.
• Own carrier pickup window compliance and label quality programs across DC and ship-from-store (SFS) locations.
• Ensure dangerous goods (DG) routing compliance for fragrance, aerosol, and nail product categories — working with the carrier execution platform to enforce ground-only restrictions.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational transportation issues — working cross-functionally with Guest Services, Supply Chain, and external partners to resolve challenges and prevent recurrence.
• Manage the onboarding and integration of new carriers and partners, ensuring smooth implementation and full operational readiness from the start.

Data-driven performance and KPI ownership

• Establish and lead a weekly internal transportation performance review — structured agenda, carrier-level data, trend analysis — creating the accountability cadence the function needs to operate proactively.
• Develop destination-level OTD analysis (in addition to origin and zone) to surface sort center and last-mile issues that are invisible in aggregate reporting.
• Deliver carrier scorecards, performance dashboards, and reporting packages that guide carrier QBRs, leadership reviews, and business decisions. Data should inform conversations, not follow them.
• Partner with the Director to connect transportation performance metrics to guest outcome data — including delivery-related CSAT, WISMO contact rate, and promise accuracy — building the business case for investment in the function.

AI, technology, and continuous improvement

• Drive continuous improvement by identifying inefficiencies, proposing solutions, and embedding better practices into daily operations.
• Actively explore and adopt AI and automation tools to accelerate transportation decisions — including AI-assisted exception triage, predictive OTD alerting, and carrier performance anomaly detection. Comfort working alongside a data scientist or advanced analytics resource is expected.
• Use AI-enabled platforms and carrier data APIs to improve pre-purchase delivery promise accuracy and post-purchase tracking visibility for Ulta guests.
• Stay current with transportation trends, tools, and innovations — recommending capabilities that improve service, reduce cost, or enhance the guest experience. Bring outside-in perspective to the function.
• Lead or support strategic initiatives such as peak season planning, distribution network changes, new service rollouts, and carrier diversification programs.
• Support procurement activities by preparing RFPs, evaluating proposals, and contributing operational input to sourcing and contract decisions.

 Additional Responsibilities

• Partner closely with the Director of Digital Transportation to evolve strategy, scale capabilities, and adopt best practices across the function.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams — including Guest Services, SC Planning, OMS/Technology, and Finance — to support growth, tech enhancements, and business launches.
• Participate in leadership development, team-building activities, and initiatives that strengthen organizational culture and engagement.
• Take on additional projects or responsibilities as business needs evolve.

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business preferred
• 5–7 years of experience in transportation or supply chain operations
• Proven track record managing carrier relationships, parcel networks, and driving operational performance
• Experience leading teams with direct reports in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking under pressure
• Clear communicator, skilled in influencing across levels and functions
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Adaptable, action-oriented, and able to manage shifting priorities
• Proficiency with transportation management tools (e.g., ProShip, rate-shopping, carrier management platforms)
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills; experience with PowerBI and reporting dashboards a plus
• Capable of exception-based management and independent decision-making
• Working knowledge of parcel shipping operations, compliance, and cost modeling
• Willing and available to support non-standard shifts (including holidays or weekends) as needed
• Experience in e-commerce or retail distribution networks
• Familiarity with carrier capacity planning and seasonal logistics strategy
• Experience working cross-functionally across Supply Chain, I.T., and Customer Service teams
• Proven ability in continuous improvement and innovation in transportation
• Some travel may be required based on business needs

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ulta “FlexWork” – three (3) days in office every other week (bi-weekly) with the remainder remote

#LI-JB2

#LI-Hybrid

The pay range for this position is $88,200.00 - $120,000.00 / Year with the opportunity for eligible associates to earn additional compensation pursuant to the Company's bonus plan. Exact pay will be based on factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, level, shift, geographic location, and business and organizational needs. Full-time positions are eligible for paid time off, health, dental, vision, life and disability benefits. Part-time positions are eligible for dental, vision, life, and disability benefits. For additional information concerning our benefits, visit our Benefits and Career Development page: https://learn.bswift.com/ulta

ABOUT

At Ulta Beauty (NASDAQ: ULTA), the possibilities are beautiful. Ulta Beauty is the largest North American beauty retailer and the premier beauty destination for cosmetics, fragrance, skin care products, hair care products and salon services. We bring possibilities to life through the power of beauty each and every day in our stores and online with more than 25,000 products from approximately 500 well-established and emerging beauty brands across all categories and price points, including Ulta Beauty’s own private label. Ulta Beauty also offers a full-service salon in every store featuring—hair, skin, brow, and make-up services.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with arrest records, conviction records, or other criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of any applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York City Fair Chance Act.

Qualifications:

THE ESSENTIALS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in Supply Chain, Logistics, or Business preferred
• 5–7 years of experience in transportation or supply chain operations
• Proven track record managing carrier relationships, parcel networks, and driving operational performance
• Experience leading teams with direct reports in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking under pressure
• Clear communicator, skilled in influencing across levels and functions
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and follow-through
• Adaptable, action-oriented, and able to manage shifting priorities
• Proficiency with transportation management tools (e.g., ProShip, rate-shopping, carrier management platforms)
• Strong Excel and data analysis skills; experience with PowerBI and reporting dashboards a plus
• Capable of exception-based management and independent decision-making
• Working knowledge of parcel shipping operations, compliance, and cost modeling
• Willing and available to support non-standard shifts (including holidays or weekends) as needed
• Experience in e-commerce or retail distribution networks
• Familiarity with carrier capacity planning and seasonal logistics strategy
• Experience working cross-functionally across Supply Chain, I.T., and Customer Service teams
• Proven ability in continuous improvement and innovation in transportation
• Some travel may be required based on business needs

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Ulta “FlexWork” – three (3) days in office every other week (bi-weekly) with the remainder remote

#LI-JB2

#LI-Hybrid

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME