Bring Your Flavor

Strategic Distribution Partnerships Manager

Job Details
Job Ref:
R26_0000001904
Location:
2002 Papa John's Blvd, Louisville, KY 40299
Category:
Distribution
Employment Type:
Full time

Job Summary

The Manager, Strategic Distribution Partnerships is responsible for leading the operational performance, strategic relationship management, and continuous improvement efforts for outsourced distribution partners supporting Papa Johns’ supply chain network. This role serves as the primary point of contact for third-party distribution providers and is accountable for ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective service execution across outsourced markets.

The position will oversee partner performance against key operational KPIs including OTIF, cost-to-serve, safety, quality, and customer experience metrics while driving issue resolution, service recovery, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role will work cross-functionally across Transportation, Customer Service, Supply Chain Operations, Procurement, and Franchisee-facing teams to support the long-term outsourced distribution strategy and future market transitions.

Duties and Responsibilities (other duties as assigned)

Distribution Operations Oversight

  • Coordinate daily outbound shipment scheduling and load planning with 3PL partners to ensure on-time order fulfillment across all distribution channels (retail, foodservice, DTC).
  • Monitor inbound and outbound shipment visibility using TMS and carrier portals; proactively identify and resolve delays, exceptions, and disruptions.
  • Ensure proper handling and temperature management throughout the cold chain for refrigerated and frozen product categories.
  • Work cross-functionally with Customer Service, Demand Planning, and Warehouse teams to align distribution capacity with order volume fluctuations.
  • Own outsourced distribution performance scorecards and KPI governance processes including OTIF, safety, quality, claims, temperature compliance, and cost metrics.
  • Support onboarding, transition planning, and operational readiness activities for future outsourced distribution market implementations.

3PL & Carrier Relationship Management

  • Serve as the day-to-day point of contact for all outsourced transportation and distribution partners, including 3PLs, dedicated carriers, and freight brokers.
  • Monitor carrier and 3PL performance against contracted SLAs, KPIs, and service agreements; escalate issues and drive corrective action plans.
  • Conduct regular business reviews with transportation partners to assess performance, identify gaps, and foster continuous improvement.
  • Support contract negotiations, renewals, and onboarding of new carriers or 3PL partners in coordination with Procurement and Legal.

Cost Management & Reporting

  • Track, analyze, and report on freight spend, cost-per-case, fuel surcharges, accessorial charges, and carrier invoice accuracy.
  • Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities without compromising service levels or food safety standards.
  • Prepare regular transportation performance dashboards and present findings to Supply Chain leadership.
  • Assist in the annual freight budget development and ongoing variance analysis.
  • Prepare and communicate operational performance updates, risks, and recovery plans to Supply Chain leadership.

Process Improvement & Systems

  • Identify and champion process improvements in outsourced distribution workflows, including technology adoption and automation opportunities.
  • Leverage TMS and ERP systems to drive shipment visibility, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
  • Develop and maintain SOPs for outsourced transportation processes, exception handling, and carrier escalation protocols.
  • Partner with Customer Service and Operations teams to proactively manage franchisee service concerns, identify root causes, and drive corrective actions with outsourced providers.
  • Lead structured problem-solving and continuous improvement initiatives with external partners to improve service reliability, operational efficiency, and franchisee experience.

Education, Experience & Certifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.
  • 5–7 years of experience in transportation, distribution, logistics operations, or 3PL management, preferably within foodservice, retail distribution, or supply chain operations.
  • Strong analytical skills with demonstrated ability to interpret freight data and identify cost or service improvement opportunities.
  • Excellent communication and vendor management skills; ability to hold external partners accountable to performance standards.
  • 10-40% Travel to work in warehouse and cold storage environments during facility visits

Preferred

  • Experience managing dedicated or outsourced cold chain distribution networks (refrigerated/frozen).
  • Familiarity with multi-channel food and beverage distribution (grocery retail, foodservice, club, DTC).
  • or program data and translating insights into recommendations preferred.

Functional Skills

  • Accountability & Ownership – Takes responsibility for outcomes and holds partners to agreed commitments.
  • Analytical Thinking – Uses data to drive decisions and surface actionable insights.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration – Works effectively with internal stakeholders and external partners.
  • Attention to Detail – Ensures accuracy in compliance documentation, invoicing, and shipment records.
  • Adaptability – Responds calmly and effectively to supply chain disruptions and shifting priorities.
  • Communication – Clearly conveys performance expectations and operational updates to partners and leadership.
  • Relationship Management
  • Influence Without Authority
  • Operational Problem Solving
  • Executive Communication
  • Customer/Franchisee Focus

Our Values

  • EVERYONE BELONGS – We believe connectedness and belonging are the essential ingredients to our success.
  • DO THE RIGHT THING –We are relentlessly focused on quality and integrity and make the right choices, even when it's difficult.
  • PEOPLE FIRST – To craft positive experiences for our customers, we take care of each other first.
  • INNOVATE TO WIN – We champion and challenge for a better way in all we do.
  • HAVE FUN – We find joy, create meaningful impact and celebrate the journey together

Our Core Competencies

  • CUSTOMER CENTRIC - We leverage data and insights to craft a customer experience that builds relationships, cultivates trust, and delivers excellence
  • RESULTS DRIVEN – We focus on measurable outcomes by remaining optimistic, tenacious, and persistent even in the face of challenges.
  • CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT –We champion for better through strategic risk taking, experimentation and challenging the status quo.
  • BIAS FOR ACTION – We courageously lead, drive towards decisions, and maintain agility to meet the demands of our dynamic industry.
  • WINNING TOGETHER – We work together to unlock our full potential by actively collaborating and contributing in a cross-functional capacity

Papa Johns is an equal opportunity employer.

Papa Johns is a federal contractor that participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility for each new team member. We also comply with all Right to Work requirements. Official E-Verify and Right to Work notices are available for applicants to review in both English and Spanish.

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