3PL Distribution & Transportation Operations Manager, China

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. 

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:  

• Runner First
  • We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond 
  • We do what we say we’ll do
• Champion Heart 
  • We give our all in everything we do
• There is no “I” in Run
  • We stay generous with our humanity
• Keep Moving
  • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.   

Your Job:

  Our China Supply Chain team is at the heart of Brooks Running's growth in one of the world's most dynamic markets. As the 3PL Distribution & Transportation Operations Manager– China, you will be accountable for end-to-end execution, vendor management, performance governance, and continuous improvement of Brooks' China third-party distribution and transportation network. You will directly manage inbound international transportation into China—including carrier sourcing, rate negotiation, and performance management—while governing distribution center operations and outbound transportation through a single third-party provider in Nantong, one day per week. This role carries clear decision-making authority and is authorized to make day to day operational, commercial, and performance management decisions within approved contracts, policies, and financial guardrails. The position is expected to resolve issues directly and escalate only when decisions fall outside defined authority or approval limits. As Brooks expands its presence and transportation and fulfillment volumes increase in the Asia Pacific region—particularly in China—you will have the opportunity to design the regional organization to scale with this growth. Your Responsibilities

Inbound Transportation Operations (Directly Managed)

• Directly manage daily inbound international transportation into China, ensuring compliant, reliable, and on-time delivery from overseas origins.

• Negotiate periodic air and ocean freight rate agreements, balancing cost, capacity, service, and lead-time requirements.

• Evaluate and select air, ocean, and trucking carriers based on performance history, transit times, cost competitiveness, and  alignment with our global transportation strategy and regional strategic initiatives.

• Manage performance for carriers  within your scope—issuing scorecards, conducting reviews, and driving corrective action plans without routine escalation.

• Serve as Brooks Shanghai's designated operational and commercial relationship authority with inbound transportation partners.

• Monitor inbound transportation performance and resolve operational exceptions, ensuring accurate milestone visibility and EDI data for downstream stakeholders.

• Identify and implement inbound transportation optimization initiatives, including routing strategies, modal shifts, and sourcing opportunities.

• Provide final approval for Freight Audit & Pay processes in alignment with Brooks Shanghai financial and controllership requirements.

• Partner with Trade Compliance to ensure transportation plans incorporate customs requirements and prevent shipment delays.

• Collaborate  with external service providers to ensure transportation execution aligns with global and specific regional policies and procedures.

 

3PL Distribution Operations & Outbound Transportation (Third-Party Governed)

• Define, document, and enforce operational policies, SOPs, routing logic, and performance expectations for Brooks' China 3PL Distribution Center in Nantong.

• Maintain regular on-site presence at the Nantong Distribution Center (minimum one day per week) to gain firsthand and primary visibility to 3PL performance and operations and ensure streamlined operational execution; increase visits  during peak periods, new launches, or as business needs require.

• Act as Brooks' primary escalation and resolution point with the third-party provider for operational issues and execution alignment.

• Track, analyze, and report performance against SLAs, KPIs, cost targets, service levels, quality, safety, and compliance standards.

• Lead structured performance reviews (MBR/QBR) with the third-party provider, ensuring issues are identified, root-caused, and resolved.

• Govern outbound transportation performance vs SOPs, Routing Logic and Performance Metrics from the China Distribution Center to retail stores and e-commerce customers.

• Manage operational budgets, contract performance, and change orders, with authority to approve adjustments in accordance with company signing authority policies and initiate corrective actions.

• Partner internally with HQ Transportation team and regional internal partners to ensure the third-party operating model supports China retail and e-commerce requirements.

 

Analytics, Continuous Improvement & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Use SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and logistics data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities across transportation and distribution operations.

• Translate operational data into actionable insights and implement process, sourcing, or operational improvements within defined governance frameworks.

• Lead structured continuous-improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies.

• Design scalable governance models, reporting frameworks, and operating processes to support future growth in scale and complexity.

• Partner with Supply Chain, Trade Compliance, Transportation, Distribution, Finance, IT, Product, Sales, Marketing, and E-commerce teams.

• Present operational performance, risks, and recommendations to senior managers and directors.

• Support training and enablement to ensure alignment with Brooks transportation and distribution standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, Engineering, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.

• 7+ years of experience across transportation and/or distribution operations.

• Experience in managing or governing 3PL distribution center operations is required.

• Experience in a Demand and/or Supply Planning role is highly desired.

• Strong analytical capabilities including proficiency in SQL, Tableau, and Power BI.

• Experience with WMS, TMS, ERP, and EDI systems.

• Proven ability to operate independently within defined authority and influence cross-functional stakeholders.

• Lean Six Sigma or project management certification preferred.

• Demonstrated readiness to lead and grow a team as the function scales.

• Excellent English and Chinese verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening and concise, clear communication.

• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire trust and build effective working relationships across the company.

• Keen attention to detail in planning, organization, and execution, while maintaining sight of the broader strategic picture.

• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

• Travel: International travel required, primarily within China and APAC region, approximately 30%.