Lead Logistics Specialist

About us:

Target is an iconic brand, a Fortune 50 company and one of America’s leading retailers. 

Target Global Supply Chain and Logistics is evolving at an incredible pace. We are constantly reimagining how we get the right product to the guest even better, faster and more cost effectively than before. We are becoming more intelligent, automated and algorithmic in our decision-making, so that no matter how guests shop—in stores or on Target.com—we deliver the convenience and immediate gratification they demand and deserve. We are on a mission to win decisively over any competitor, with a seamless and superior guest service experience unlike any they can offer. Our teams work with the agility our mission requires, and we constantly come together to implement new processes in record time. So we’re looking for exceptional people who are proactive, creative, independent, innovative, risk-savvy and comfortable working in varying degrees of ambiguity. Are you a critical thinker who seeks the root cause and can analyze both qualitatively and quantitatively? Are you a creative problem-solver who simplifies problems, quickly identifies solutions, commits to a plan and then positively influences others to execute it? If so, you will have success on one of our dynamic teams. 

The primary function of this role is to support Target's Middle Mile Logistics operation through data analysis. Transportation Analysts and Specialists will work together and be responsible for identifying and exploring data sets in order to create actionable metrics and reports for operations teams. They will also be responsible for managing and improving processes described by their analysis. They will use data and insights to influence peers, leaders, and third party partners. This includes mining the data for performance improvement and expense savings opportunities and recommending solutions to business problems by building quantitative business cases.

The team currently uses a wide variety of analytics tools such as Excel, Python, SQL to work with small, sparse datasets as well as big data platforms like Hadoop. In situations where reliable data does not exist, you will look for creative ways to obtain data, influence system owners to build data, or create processes to capture data.

As a Logistics Specialist, you will:

• Be responsible for publishing forecasts for various nodes of Targets Supply Chain
• This team member will be involved in various processes, analysis and projects to help middle mile, domestic first mile and import first mile optimization by providing visibility to proactive and reactive metrics through reporting and Insights.
• Streamline and simplify complex business processes through technology
• Use data and metrics to deeply understand the business, identify areas in need of improvement, influence others, and measure the impact of actions. 
• Inspire intellectual curiosity around operational improvement opportunities.
• Advocate for decisions based on what is good for Target holistically and act as agents for change instead of accepting the status quo.
• Resolution of Transportation EDI document compliance issues that disrupt transportation operational processes. 
• Work on creating dashboard and reporting to provide insights and learnings from the business.

Job Requirement

• Bachelors in Supply Chain, Business/Management, Engineering or relevant experience as a business analyst/data analyst /statistical analyst role.
• Robust critical thinking skillset with knowledge of root cause identification techniques.
• Expertise in Microsoft Excel/ VBA/ Greenfield
• Excellent communication skills (verbal / written) – Ability to effectively communicate with both business and technical teams
• Manage relationships with internal partners to keep them informed on the perspective and impact related to supply chain initiatives.
• Communicates to share knowledge and findings
  • Presents results in a manner that the business partners can understand
  • Communicate impact of proposed solutions to business partners
• Should be a team player
• Should be able to demonstrate learning ability
• Is curious and has a willingness to learn be it new skills/tools etc.
• Ability to follow through with ideas and deliver on commitments

Preferred Qualification

• Experience in any of the following technical Skills would be preferable; SQL, R or Python
• Experience in supply chain (distribution, logistics, planning etc) would be preferable
• Has handled analysis of large volume of data
• Has prior experience in automating processes using various automation tools