Manager, Transportation Market Intelligence & Spend Strategy - Columbus, OH

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

About Abbott Nutrition

Abbott Nutrition develops science‑based nutrition products trusted by families, patients, and healthcare professionals around the world. Our portfolio supports people at every stage of life — from infant nutrition to adult and specialized medical nutrition. Our leading brands include Similac®, PediaSure®, Pedialyte®, Ensure®, Glucerna®, each supported by a complex, high‑service North American transportation network. As fuel markets, capacity cycles, and service expectations evolve, transportation strategy is a critical enabler of Abbott Nutrition’s commercial and service commitments.

Working at Abbott

At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You will also have access to:

• Training and career development , with onboarding programs for new employees and tuition assistance.

• Financial security through competitive compensation, incentives, and retirement plan

• Health care and well-being programs including medical, dental, vision, wellness and occupational health programs, Medical Benefits start day 1.

• Vacation – 3 weeks accrued vacation (1st yr. is prorated) + vacation buy program + 5 personal days + 10 paid holidays.

• 401(k) retirement savings with a generous company match of 5%.

• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.

• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

• The stability of a company with a record of strong financial performance and history of being actively involved in local communities.

The Manager, Transportation Market Intelligence & Spend Strategy plays a key role in shaping Abbott Nutrition’s transportation cost, capacity, and service strategy. This role serves as the center of excellence for transportation market intelligence , translating external market dynamics into actionable insights that support rate strategy, budget planning, and operational decision‑making.

The role works cross‑functionally with Transportation Operations, Solutions & Analytics, Procurement, Finance, and external carriers to ensure transportation spend aligns with market conditions, service expectations, and long‑term business plans, with a clear focus on margin and profitability outcomes derived from transportation strategy and execution.

Success in this role requires strong analytical capability, comfort operating in market volatility, and the ability to influence decisions through data, insight, and clear communication.

Key Responsibilities

Market Intelligence & Strategy

• Own transportation market intelligence, monitoring fuel trends, capacity dynamics, carrier activity, regulatory changes, and industry consolidation
• Translate market trends into clear insights and recommendations for leadership
• Support development of contingency strategies related to capacity constraints, fuel volatility, or disruption risk
• Regularly present transportation market updates and cost improvement recommendations to leadership

Spend Strategy, Rates & Budget (LBE)

• Support development and ongoing management of Logistics Budget Estimates (LBE)
• Evaluate rate, fuel, and spend performance against plan; recommend adjustments as market conditions change
• Validate rate changes and award recommendations to ensure alignment with procurement strategy, capacity commitments, and service expectations
• Own lane‑level rate analytics and provide ongoing visibility to network rate health across all transportation modes

Reporting & Financial Governance

• Own weekly, monthly, and quarterly transportation spend reporting, including Tier 3 reporting and Monthly Business Reviews
• Manage accrual accuracy and month‑to‑month reconciliation
• Lead margin, profitability, and savings evaluations related to transportation initiatives
• Identify emerging cost drivers, accessorial trends, or anomalies requiring action

Carrier Management & Operational Support

• Support carrier pricing events and contract maintenance
• Partner with Transportation Operations on carrier reviews, performance discussions, and award compliance
• Ensure transportation systems (BluJay / E2open, SAP) remain aligned with awarded rates and routing guide parameters
• Support dedicated fleet rate analysis and ensure spend aligns with contractual commitments
• Participate in freight audit activities and accessorial governance

Continuous Improvement & Network Evolution

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that optimize cost, service, and network efficiency
• Support network changes, new facility launches, system configuration updates, and service provider onboarding
• Contribute to management operating system (Tier 1–3, compliance reviews, MBRs) across rate, service, and capacity

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or Operations
• 5–10+ years of experience in transportation, logistics analytics, or supply chain strategy roles
• Strong understanding of transportation pricing, fuel mechanics, carrier economics, and compliance
• Experience working with transportation management systems (BluJay / E2open preferred) and SAP
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint ; experience with Power BI or similar tools strongly preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work cross‑functionally and influence decisions through insight and data

Preferred

• Experience in CPG, food, nutrition, or regulated consumer products
• Dedicated fleet management experience
• Lean or continuous improvement experience

The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.