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Johnson & Johnson (DePuy Synthes) is seeking a Manager, LATAM Trade & Transportation Lead to oversee supply chain operations across Latin America. This is a regional leadership role combining two critical disciplines: transportation network optimization and trade compliance across borders.
You will be responsible for ensuring reliable, cost-efficient, and fully compliant movement of medical device products from manufacturing sites and regional hubs to local distribution centers, hospitals, and distributors. You will safeguard adherence to customs and international trade regulations across all LATAM operating countries.
Key responsibilities include:
Trade Compliance & Customs: Provide regional trade leadership ensuring compliance with customs, import/export, and trade regulations. Serve as the primary LATAM point of contact for global trade operations. Oversee and standardize trade processes, controls, and documentation for consistent execution and audit readiness. Monitor trade performance metrics, identify risks, and lead corrective actions. Engage with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and government authorities.
Transportation Operations: Drive value through optimized regional transportation flows for inbound freight (manufacturing to hubs to affiliates/distributors) and outbound flows to hospitals and distributors. Manage relationships with third-party and fourth-party logistics providers through performance metrics and continuous improvement. Lead performance measurement of transport reliability aligned with operations teams. Deliver annual cost improvement and productivity targets while protecting service, quality, and compliance. Translate inventory strategy into innovative transportation solutions and support new product launches.
Cross-Functional Leadership: Partner with regional and global supply chain, quality, finance, and legal teams. Represent transportation and trade in supply chain forums and sales & operations planning. Collaborate with regional Deliver lead, distribution operations, and demand & supply planning teams. Support product launches, network changes, and supply chain transformations.
Key metrics include transportation cost savings, transportation reliability, logistics provider performance, trade compliance audit readiness, and on-time customs clearance.
Note: Johnson & Johnson has announced plans to separate its Orthopaedics business (DePuy Synthes) within 18–24 months. Upon completion, you would become an employee of DePuy Synthes.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree required (Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, International Trade, or related field); Master's degree or MBA preferred
- 6–8 years of progressive experience in supply chain, transportation, trade compliance, logistics, or related operational roles at a manager level
- Strong working knowledge of international trade, customs regulations, and import/export operations within Latin America
- Solid expertise in transportation, planning, and carrier/logistics-provider management, including familiarity with control-tower operating models
- Excellent analytical skills and affinity for numbers; ability to support budgeting, financial reconciliation, and identify cost-saving opportunities
- Good understanding of order-to-cash process and end-to-end supply chain mindset
- Experience partnering with global stakeholders and operating within matrixed, multinational organizations
- Proven ability to manage complex operational issues, assess risk, and drive compliant outcomes
- Effective communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills across cultures and geographies
- English required; Portuguese and/or Spanish strongly preferred
- Up to 25–30% regional and international travel
Preferred:
- Experience in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, or other highly regulated industries
- Familiarity with global trade systems, transportation management systems, ERP platforms, and trade automation tools
- Demonstrated experience leading regional or global process standardization initiatives
- Prior exposure to customs audits, investigations, or regulatory inspections
- Understanding of good distribution practice and quality-first approach
- Lean or continuous improvement certification
- Demonstrated awareness of AI concepts and responsible/ethical use
