Transportation and Logistics Senior Manager

Sumitomo Pharma Co., Ltd., is a global pharmaceutical company based in Japan with operations in the U.S. (Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.), focused on addressing patient needs in oncology, urology, women's health, rare diseases, cell & gene therapies and CNS. With several marketed products and a diverse pipeline of early- to late-stage investigational assets, we aim to accelerate discovery, research, and development to bring novel therapies to patients sooner. For more information on SMPA, visit our website https://www.us.sumitomo-pharma.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

SMPA is seeking a dynamic, highly motivated, and experienced individual for the position of Transportation and Logistics Senior Manager.

The Transportation and Logistics Senior Manager is responsible for ensuring efficient, compliant, and risk-mitigated transportation and delivery of SMPA’s pharmaceutical products across the global supply chain in a fully outsourced environment.

This role works closely with internal teams and external partners to manage daily priorities, resolve issues, document processes, and drive continuous improvement. Responsibilities include managing service provider relationships and freight activities and leading processes and projects that improve operational efficiency, reduce risk, control costs, and promote best practices that drive high customer satisfaction.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee and improve the performance and efficiency of SMPA’s global transportation network to ensure timely, error-free delivery of pharmaceutical products, including shipments requiring cold-chain and/or security controls. Establish, communicate, and enhance KPIs, and analyze positive and negative trends for further review.
• Ensure delivery accuracy through reconciliation and resolution of transaction discrepancies. Resolve issues and escalations, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions. Serve as the primary team contact for transportation.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across delivery processes to increase customer satisfaction and reduce operating costs. Identify efficiency opportunities, implement changes, and manage projects and cross-functional teams to deliver results.
• Manage and optimize domestic and international transportation networks and operations. Define mode-selection criteria, improve efficiency, mitigate risk, and establish, communicate, and enforce SMPA routing guides. Support spot and long-term service and pricing engagements and maintain related documentation.
• Participate in new product launch planning and implementation teams to address transportation requirements. Support and contribute to transportation validation studies.
• Collaborate with Order-to-Cash, Trade, IT, Tax, Finance, Commercial Manufacturing, Supply Chain Operations, Quality, Legal, Sourcing, Regulatory, Insurance, and Trade Compliance to support transportation activities, ensure on-time delivery, and exceed customer expectations.
• Resolve complex day-to-day operational issues independently and escalate major issues when appropriate.
• Ensure processes and systems are documented and compliant with Quality Management System requirements, Good Manufacturing and Distribution Practices, and FDA regulations.
• Serve as the commercial lead for transportation partners and manage transportation tenders and RFPs from initiation through completion. Ensure shipment visibility, lead technical solution discussions, negotiate freight agreement terms, and oversee AVL setup, purchase order and budget administration, invoice auditing, and payment processes. Act as the subject matter expert for global transportation.
• Maintain sufficient knowledge to provide backup support for U.S. Distribution and Trade Compliance during short-term absences.

Key Core Competencies

• Collaborative, team-oriented partner who communicates ideas with conviction while remaining open to other perspectives
• Analytical thinker with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines
• Excellent planning, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize and support multiple projects
• Ability to influence and collaborate with diverse internal and external stakeholders in a fast-paced environment
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Ability to exercise sound judgment within established guidelines
• Proven self-starter who can work independently in ambiguous situations
• Strong written, presentation, and communication skills
• This role manages processes rather than direct reports

Education and Experience

• 3–6 years of experience in supply chain, logistics, or related functions within an outsourced GxP environment
• Strong knowledge of freight provider networks and third-party logistics (3PL) processes, controls, and best practices
• Demonstrated experience with logistics practices in pharmaceutical manufacturing or a related industry
• Knowledge of technical solutions that improve logistics management efficiency and visibility
• Knowledge of and experience supporting transport studies
• Working knowledge of GMP and GDP as they relate to transportation
• Working knowledge of cold-chain transportation solutions for pharmaceuticals
• Ability to work across global time zones; communications may occasionally occur outside typical business hours
• Knowledge of domestic and international freight management across all transportation modes
• Working knowledge of customs compliance regulations and import/export processes preferred
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems and data management; SAP preferred
• Knowledge of DSCSA regulations preferred
• Ability to evaluate data, build reports, identify trends, and recommend alternatives
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) and Smartsheet
• APICS-CLTD or a similar certification preferred

The base salary range for this role is

$149,700.00 - $187,100.00

Base salary is part of our total rewards package which also includes the opportunity for merit-based salary increases, short incentive plan participation, eligibility for our 401(k) plan, medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurances and leaves provided in line with your work state. Our robust time-off policy includes flexible paid time off, 11 paid holidays plus additional time off for a shut-down period during the last week of December, 80 hours of paid sick time upon hire and each year thereafter. Total compensation, including base salary to be offered, will depend on elements unique to each candidate, including candidate experience, skills, education and other factors permitted by law.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Confidential Data: All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters is considered confidential, in accordance with applicable law.

Compliance: Achieve and maintain Compliance with all applicable regulatory, legal and operational rules and procedures, by ensuring that all plans and activities for and on behalf of Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) and affiliates are carried out with the "best" industry practices and the highest ethical standards.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Mental/Physical Requirements:

Fast-paced environment handling multiple demands is involved. Must be able to exercise appropriate judgment as necessary. Requires a high level of initiative and independence. Excellent written and oral communication skills required. Requires ability to use a personal computer for extended periods of time.

Travel Requirements:

Primarily remote role with periodic on-site meetings in office. Must be able to travel domestically and internationally as needed.

Drug Screening Requirements
Applicants for sales/field, manufacturing, or other designated roles will be required to submit to a pre-employment drug test.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; creed; religion; national origin; age; ancestry; nationality; marital, domestic partnership or civil union status; sex, gender; affectional or sexual orientation; disability; veteran or military status or liability for military status; domestic violence victim status; atypical cellular or blood trait; genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing) or any other characteristic protected by law.

Sumitomo Pharma America (SMPA) endeavors to make its application process accessible to all. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact SMPA at reasonableaccomodations@us.sumitomo-pharma.com. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.