Join a high-performing transportation and logistics team that is driving cost efficiency, operational excellence, and service reliability across Stryker’s EEMEA distribution network. As Transportation and Trade Manager

You will serve as the lead transportation representative from our Global Transportation and Trade (GTT) Center of Excellence to your assigned countries – South Africa is the core focus for the Trade aspect of this role; the Middle East and South Africa are among the focus points for transportation.

This role partners closely with Transportation Operations, Indirect Procurement, Planning, Finance, Commercial Leadership, Customer Service, and Distribution Logistics to ensure disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and alignment to Stryker’s service and cost objectives.

This is a hybrid role that requires travel to distribution sites within our network on a per project basis.

What You Will Do

• Identify and execute continuous improvement projects that drive cost out of our outbound transportation activities

• Lead monthly transportation reviews with internal stakeholders across functions within your assigned divisions

• Manage transportation carrier performance including business reviews with a continuous improvement mindset.

• Develop deep relationships and be a trusted thought partner for our commercial, finance, and operations organizations as applicable for your assigned divisions

• Monitor and analyze weekly and monthly cost reports, identifying variances, risks, and cost reduction opportunities

• Develop and own clear routing instruction for carrier, mode, and service selection and drive routing compliance

• Serve as escalation point for aggregated transportation issues, leading root cause analysis and corrective action plans while also creating pathways for fast self-serve resolution

• Review monthly spend versus budget and partner with Finance to communicate trends, risks, and savings opportunities

• Act as the primary liaison for all transportation topics across internal stakeholders, including Procurement, Commercial, Transportation, and Logistics

What You Will Need

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, transportation, business, operations, or related field

• 7+ years of experience in transportation in a high-volume manufacturing or distribution environment

• Understanding of trade concepts, including compliance, tariff, and commodity codes (3+ years preferred)

• Experience overseeing dedicated fleet operations and third-party logistics providers

• Strong financial and analytical skills with the ability to interpret cost, utilization, and performance data

• Experience driving cost reduction through governance and optimization

• Experience leading cross-functional work and managing vendors

• Ability to influence without authority and ensure accountability

• Experience leading issue resolution, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement

Preferred

• 3+ years of experience with trade concepts, including compliance, tariff, and commodity codes

Stryker South Africa is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and an inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of ethnicity, race, nationality, social origin, gender, disability, age, or sexual identity. Applications will be considered in line with our Employment Equity Plan