At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape and execute European transportation strategies while managing category spend.
- Company: Join Arconic, a leader in innovative transportation solutions.
- Benefits: Full-time role with competitive salary and opportunities for travel across Europe.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with international teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment with creative problem-solving.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 3 years' experience in transportation category management required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 65000 £ per year.
This role is pivotal in shaping and executing our European transportation strategy and advancing the overall transportation organization within Arconic. The ideal candidate is innovative, analytical, process-driven, and highly collaborative, with an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving. Success in this role requires thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and delivering creative, effective solutions that drive transparency, process optimization, compliance, and cost savings—all while strengthening service levels for stakeholders and customers.
Responsibilities
- Own transportation category spend for European locations (Kofem – Hungary, Kitts Green – UK, Hannover – Germany).
- Develop and execute Category & Sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives and market dynamics.
- Support plant transportation teams with competitive bid processes and sourcing events.
- Manage European transportation activities across all modes—Truckload, LTL, Small Parcel, Ocean, Air, Rail—and related services such as warehousing and transloading.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with key and transactional suppliers to ensure performance, compliance, and cost efficiency.
- Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and mitigate risk.
- Provide market-driven headwind/tailwind forecasts to inform budgeting and strategic decisions.
- Partner with U.S. Category Managers on negotiations and sourcing initiatives involving European-based suppliers.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to regularly assess transportation modes across lanes, sites, and customer routes, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce cost, and enhance service through optimal mode and equipment selection.
- Lead the Freight Payment Team in managing the accounts payable process for European freight, ensuring seamless support for internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversee carrier freight bill processing to guarantee timely and accurate payment disbursement.
- Ensure compliance with contractual agreements, proactively identifying and resolving discrepancies in rates and accessorial charges.
- Analyze recurring variances to identify root causes and implement practical, timely solutions.
- Drive continuous improvement in freight audit and payment processes, strengthening internal controls to increase accuracy and reduce fraud risk.
- Maintain proactive communication with carriers to ensure timely receipt of freight bills and supporting documentation, as well as reconciliation and resolution of past-due amounts.
- Monitor workloads for data entry and audit teams to ensure consistent and efficient processing.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive process documentation and establish KPIs to track performance.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Supply Chain, or Logistics.
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience in transportation category management.
- High-energy, proactive individual with strong problem-solving skills and ability to work across all organizational levels.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and prioritization skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- International work experience and intercultural competence.
- MBA or PMP certification.
- Proven leadership in complex transportation organizations.
- Fluency in English, Hungarian knowledge is an advantage.
- Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
- Strong financial and business acumen.
- Advanced Microsoft Office skills (Excel, PowerPoint).
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills.
- Strategic thinker with innovative mindset.
Travel Requirements
Approximately 25% travel, primarily within Europe; some international travel required.
Category Manager - European Transportation & Freight Payment (UK) employer: Arconic
Arconic is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, particularly for the Category Manager role based in Birmingham. Employees benefit from a strong focus on professional growth, with opportunities to lead strategic initiatives in European transportation while enjoying a supportive environment that values innovation and problem-solving. The company's commitment to transparency and process optimisation not only enhances service levels but also ensures a rewarding experience for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their careers.
