Global Service Transportation Lead IV

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips - the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world - like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.

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Position Summary

The Global Transportation Role is responsible for defining and executing the global transportation operations that enables world-class customer service, operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and cost efficiency across a complex international supply chain. This role leads global carrier and logistics provider management, transportation analytics, and continuous improvement initiatives spanning multiple regions and business units.

The leader drives transportation network optimization, develops strategic partnerships with logistics service providers, oversees transportation governance and performance management, and ensures the secure, compliant, and cost-effective movement of products worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

Global Transportation Strategy & Leadership

• Lead global transportation carrier management, logistics analytics, transportation governance, and performance management.
• Serve as the transportation subject matter expert for leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Establish transportation policies, standards, and operating procedures across all regions.

Transportation Network Optimization

• Drive transportation modeling, capacity planning, and network assessments to support business expansion and evolving customer requirements.
• Lead business cases for transportation transformation initiatives and strategic investments.
• Oversee demand forecasting and logistics cost modeling to support annual operating plans and long-range business strategies.

Carrier & Logistics Partner Management

• Develop strategic relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics providers.
• Establish transportation performance metrics and governance frameworks to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
• Lead provider performance reviews and corrective action programs to address operational exceptions and service disruptions.
• Negotiate and influence transportation solutions that balance cost, service, risk, and scalability.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

• Establish global transportation KPIs and executive dashboards to provide insights into performance, cost, service levels, transit times, and compliance.
• Analyze transportation data to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement in operational operations.
• Lead Lean, Six Sigma, and digital transformation initiatives that drive measurable improvements in transportation performance and cost efficiency.

Compliance, Governance & Risk Management

• Provide executive oversight for transportation audits, regulatory reviews, and compliance programs.
• Partner with Global Trade Compliance, Legal, and Internal Audit organizations to mitigate business risks and maintain adherence to global regulations.
• Establish robust controls and governance processes to support transportation execution and regulatory compliance.

Quality, Claims & Exception Management

• Lead enterprise-level transportation quality programs and corrective action initiatives related to shipping, handling, and distribution non-conformances.
• Oversee freight claims management processes for lost, delayed, or damaged shipments and drive systemic improvements to reduce recurrence.
• Champion root cause analysis methodologies and corrective action processes across transportation partners and internal organizations.
• Lead escalation management for critical transportation disruptions affecting customers, manufacturing sites, or strategic business objectives.

Analytics & Business Performance

• Develop reporting and insights that enable data-driven decision making.
• Monitor and communicate transportation trends, capacity risks, and carrier performance,
• Present business performance, strategic recommendations, and transformation roadmaps to leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive transportation, logistics, and supply chain leadership experience within a global organization.
• Extensive experience managing global transportation networks, carriers, freight forwarders, and logistics providers.
• Strong knowledge of international transportation, import/export operations, customs regulations, and trade compliance requirements.
• Proven record of leading large-scale process improvement and transportation transformation initiatives.
• Advanced analytical capabilities with experience leveraging transportation and supply chain data for strategic decision making.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior executives and leading global, cross-functional teams.

Preferred

• Master's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, or Engineering.
• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), Lean Six Sigma, or equivalent certification.
• Experience managing multimodal transportation networks across Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions.
• Experience implementing transportation management systems (TMS), control towers, and logistics visibility solutions.

Additional Information

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Relocation Eligible:

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.