Solutions Design Manager

Job Title: Solutions Design Manager
Job Location: Hebron, Kentucky

We have an exciting opportunity for a Solutions Design Manager for our AFR Team. This role is responsible for leading the strategic design, governance, and execution of end-to-end logistics solutions for DHL's global and regional Life Sciences & Healthcare customers. This role provides executive leadership for solution design, pricing strategy, operational excellence, and innovation while ensuring compliance with global regulatory standards, including GxP and GDP.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute the regional Life Sciences & Healthcare Solution Design strategy aligned with DHL's overall business objectives and growth plans.
• Establish long-term solution design capabilities that differentiate DHL in the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics market.
• Serve as the senior subject matter expert for Life Sciences & Healthcare solution design, cold chain logistics, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.
• Lead strategic initiatives that improve profitability, customer experience, scalability, and operational efficiency.
• Drive innovation by identifying emerging technologies, digital capabilities, automation opportunities, and new service offerings within Life Sciences logistics.

Commercial Leadership

• Partner with Commercial Leadership to develop growth strategies for strategic and multinational Life Sciences customers.
• Lead complex customer pursuits by developing innovative and differentiated logistics solutions that maximize customer value and financial performance.
• Provide executive leadership during customer presentations, solution workshops, and strategic business reviews.
• Support contract negotiations by balancing commercial competitiveness with operational feasibility and profitability.
• Drive pricing governance and ensure consistency in financial assumptions, investment decisions, and solution profitability.

Solution Design & Governance

• Provide executive oversight of end-to-end solution design activities across Air Freight, Ocean Freight, Customs, Warehousing, and Integrated Logistics services.
• Establish governance, methodologies, standards, and best practices for solution design across the organization.
• Ensure all solution designs incorporate operational excellence, quality requirements, regulatory compliance, systems integration, risk mitigation, and financial performance.
• Lead investment evaluations and business case development for new customer opportunities and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee development of operating models, implementation strategies, validation plans, and transition frameworks for complex customer implementations.

Financial & Business Management

• Own solution profitability by overseeing pricing strategy, cost modeling, financial analysis, and investment recommendations.
• Lead development of business cases, customer P&L models, capital investment requests, and return-on-investment analyses.
• Monitor solution performance against financial and operational KPIs while driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to optimize costs while maintaining service excellence and regulatory compliance.
• Support annual planning, forecasting, and strategic investment decisions for the LSHC portfolio.

Operational Excellence & Compliance

• Ensure all solutions meet applicable regulatory requirements including GxP, GDP, IATA, and customer-specific quality standards.
• Partner with Quality and Operations leadership to develop validation strategies, quality frameworks, and compliance governance.
• Sponsor continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and quality performance.
• Drive standardization of processes, documentation, implementation methodologies, and operational toolkits across the LSHC business.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Solution Design Managers and Solution Engineers while building a high-performing organization.
• Establish performance objectives, succession planning, and talent development strategies for the Solution Design function.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Lead cross-functional teams supporting strategic customer implementations and business transformation initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with regional and global business leaders, customers, strategic partners, and regulatory stakeholders.
• Represent DHL at executive customer meetings, industry conferences, and Life Sciences forums.
• Influence senior leadership regarding investment priorities, market opportunities, organizational capabilities, and strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with Global Product Management to ensure regional alignment with global standards and product development.

Skills / Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Life Sciences, Business Administration, Engineering, or related discipline.
• Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in Life Sciences & Healthcare logistics, supply chain management, or solution design.
• Minimum 5 years of leadership experience managing teams within a matrix organization.
• Extensive experience designing complex global logistics solutions for pharmaceutical and healthcare customers.
• Strong knowledge of GDP, GxP, IATA, regulatory compliance, cold chain logistics, and quality management systems.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic customer pursuits and complex solution implementations.
• Proven experience managing executive-level customer relationships.
• Strong commercial acumen with extensive experience in pricing strategy, financial modeling, investment analysis, and P&L management.

Knowledge & Skills

• Executive leadership and strategic planning
• Life Sciences & Healthcare supply chain expertise
• Enterprise solution architecture and design
• Financial planning, business case development, and investment analysis
• Pricing governance and profitability management
• Executive stakeholder engagement
• Organizational leadership and talent development
• Cross-functional leadership within global matrix organizations
• Change management and business transformation
• Contract negotiations and commercial strategy
• Risk management and regulatory compliance
• Project portfolio governance
• Strong executive presentation and communication skills
• Advanced analytical and decision-making capabilities

Pay Range: $105,682.50 - $140,910.00+ (Based on Experience)

Benefits (All Non-Union Employees)

• Compensation: Competitive base salary plus role dependent performance-based incentives.
• 401(k) Match: $1-for-$1 match up to 4% quarterly + 2% annual base contribution.
• Stock Purchase Plan: Ability to purchase Deutsche Post AG shares at a discounted rate.
• Medical: Comprehensive plans covering preventive care, inpatient/outpatient services, and prescriptions.
• Vision: Optional coverage for exams, frames, and contacts.
• Dental: Optional coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
• Paid Time Off: 7 major holidays, 8 floating holidays, and accrued vacation/sick days.

Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?

At DHL Global Forwarding, we invest in our employees’ growth, providing training, guidance, and career advancement opportunities. We believe in building careers, not just jobs, and empowering our team to develop skills and achieve long-term success.

Be part of DHL Group, the world’s leading logistics provider, operating in 220+ countries. DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is a global leader in air and ocean freight, with 30,000+ employees ensuring seamless transport and supply chain solutions. Explore careers with us: DHL Careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to equal employment opportunities, evaluating all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.

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