Custom Truck Services & Outbound Logistics Planning Manager - New Plant Readiness

Inside the Role

The Manager, Custom Truck Services & Outbound Finished Vehicle Logistics is accountable for the strategy, design, realization, and launch of CTS and Outbound Logistics for DTNA’s new production facility.

During the project phase, the manager will design the CTS operating model and integrated finished-vehicle flow from production completion through, CTS/PDI, inspections, vehicle release, transporter staging, outbound yard operations, and processes preparing loads for final delivery.
The role defines facility, capacity, equipment, technology, vehicle and material flow, staffing, carrier, and process requirements. Following launch, the manager will lead ramp-up and stabilization before assuming responsibility for CTS Operations and oversight of Outbound Logistics supplier, including safety, quality, delivery, cost, people, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.
This position will be relocated to DTNA’s new production facility. This position will assume responsibility for the CTS operations at the start of production (SOP). DTNA is currently evaluating multiple potential locations for the facility.

Posting Information

We provide a scheduled posting end date to assist our candidates with their application planning. While this date reflects our latest plans, it is subject to change, and postings may be extended or removed earlier than expected.

We Take Care of Our Team

Position offers a starting salary range of $128,000 - $164,000 USD

Pay offered dependent on knowledge, skills, and experience​

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Benefits include annual variable pay bonus program; eligible for the use of a company vehicle; 401k company contribution with company match up to 8% as well as non-elective company contribution of 3 - 7% depending on age.; starting at 4 weeks paid vacation; 13+ calendar holidays; 8 weeks paid parental leave; employee assistance program; comprehensive health care plans and wellness programs; onsite fitness (at some locations); tuition assistance and volunteer paid time off; short-term and long-term disability plans.

What You Drive at DTNA

Planning and Operating Model Design

• Define the integrated CTS and Outbound Logistics operating model, from production completion through CTS/PDI, yard operations, transportation, and customer delivery.
• Translate product, volume, customization, and delivery requirements into facility, capacity, equipment, technology, staffing, carrier, and investment plans.
• Design CTS processes, layouts, vehicle and material flow, tooling, quality controls, staging, handoffs, and vehicle-visibility requirements.
• Confirm infrastructure for finished vehicle operations meets requirements for optimized processes, layout, tooling, handoff, and load dispatch staging.
• Develop capital plans, budgets, and business cases supporting safe, efficient, scalable operations.

Implementation and Launch

• Convert approved concepts into layouts, specifications, standards, and implementation plans.
• Lead equipment and technology sourcing, installation, testing, commissioning, and acceptance.
• Establish Standard Work, scheduling, quality controls, KPIs, escalation routines, staffing, and training requirements.
• Lead operational trials, launch simulations, and readiness across people, processes, equipment, systems, safety, quality, and transportation providers.
• Oversight of finished vehicle supplier team on launch readiness including staffing levels, IT systems integration requirements, and process flow of vehicles.

Ramp-Up and Stabilization

• Lead ramp-up and validate capacity, staffing, equipment, systems, vehicle flow, and carrier readiness.
• Resolve operational gaps and establish sustainable ownership, controls, and escalation processes.
• Stabilize CTS/PDI and outbound delivery while reducing vehicle handling, dwell time, cost, and complexity.
• Transition the organization from project execution to stable operations.

Running-Business Operations

• Lead CTS performance across safety, quality, people, capacity, vehicle flow, delivery, cost, budgets, and customer satisfaction.
• Oversight of  finished-vehicle inventory, yard operations, carriers, cross-border requirements, and customer handoffs related to CTS functions.
• Monitor operational and provider performance through KPIs, vehicle tracking, analytics, and proactive exception management.
• Drive continuous improvement, standardization, and future capacity, technology, and network development.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Lead and develop CTS, Outbound Logistics, and finished-vehicle-flow teams.
• Partner across Manufacturing, Engineering, Supply Chain, Quality, Sales, Finance, IT, Purchasing, Human Resources, and external providers.
• Manage project and operational performance against scope, schedule, budget, quality, and readiness targets.
• Communicate strategy, risks, progress, and results while building a customer-focused, accountable culture.

Knowledge You Should Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

• 8+ years of progressive experience in manufacturing operations, vehicle customization, outbound logistics, finished-vehicle distribution, or operational planning.
• Experience leading teams and complex cross-functional projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to convert customer, product, volume, and delivery requirements into facility, process, capacity, technology, staffing, and carrier solutions.
• Experience with CTS/PDI, vehicle flow, yard operations, carrier management, cross-border transportation, or customer delivery.
• Experience leading implementation, commissioning, launch, ramp-up, stabilization, or significant operational change.
• Knowledge of safety, quality, capacity planning, Standard Work, performance management, and continuous improvement.
• Experience managing budgets, capital investments, business cases, carriers, suppliers, and service providers.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing, transportation, vehicle-tracking, and analytics systems.
• Strong financial, analytical, project-management, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel as required during planning, launch, and stabilization.

Exceptional Candidates Might Have

• Greenfield plant, manufacturing startup, facility expansion, or major product-launch experience.
• Commercial-vehicle, specialty-vehicle, or other complex manufacturing experience.
• Experience with high-mix customization, CTS/PDI, finished-vehicle distribution, yard management, or cross-border transportation.
• Familiarity with Freightliner and Western Star products or DTNA operations.
• Experience with SAP, transportation-management systems, manufacturing-execution systems, vehicle tracking, Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, or comparable tools.
• ASCM/APICS CSCP or CLTD, PMP, Lean Logistics, Lean Management or related certification.

Note: This is a project position.  While you may be able to start your position from your current location both significant travel and an eventual relocation to the new plant location are required of this project position

Where We Work

This position is open to applicants who can work in (or relocate to) the following location(s)- 

Detroit, MI US, Fort Mill, SC US, Portland, OR US. Relocation assistance for this position is available when the selected candidate meets eligibility criteria.

Schedule Type:

Hybrid (4 days per week in-office / 1 day remote). This schedule builds our #OneTeamBestTeam culture, provides an unparalleled customer experience, and creates innovative solutions through in-person collaboration.

At Daimler Truck North America, we recognize our world is changing faster than ever before. By

listening to the needs of today, we’re building solutions with cutting-edge advancements in

sustainability and future driving technologies - across electric, hydrogen, and autonomous innovation.

Backed by decades of proven success, these efforts continue DTNA’s legacy as an industry leader. Our

evolving brand portfolio is second to none, including Freightliner Trucks, Western Star, Detroit, Thomas

Built Buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis, and Financial Services. Together, we operate as one team -

driving toward a cleaner, safer, and more efficient future for all.​

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How we move forward together is defined by the DTNA Way - our shared approach to showing up for our

customers, our colleagues, and the world we help move. We start with our customers, grounding every

product, service, and decision in their success, knowing that when they move forward, so do we. At the

same time, we act with urgency and intention, balancing speed with thoughtful decision-making to

deliver results with integrity, accountability, and clarity. Across our entire organization, we collaborate

as one team - bringing diverse perspectives, strengths, and expertise together with trust and respect -

because we know we achieve more together than any one of us could alone.​

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Guided by these principles, we’re not just responding to change - we’re leading it. Together, we are

building the future of transportation for all who keep the world moving. ​

U.S. Visa sponsorship available if you qualify under the following:

• Hold a valid existing Visa (L1A, L1B, L2, TN, H1B, H4 EAD, OPT EAD, CPT)
• Daimler Truck North America employees working under an existing U.S. Daimler Truck North America Visa
• Those eligible for a TN Visa (Canadian or Mexican National working in an Engineering, Accounting or Scientific Technologist capacity with an aligning degree)
• Those eligible for an L-1 (inter-company) Daimler Truck visa under the Corporate Blanket L-1 program would require at least one-year of qualifying experience in the last three years

Additional Information

• Final candidate must successfully complete a criminal background check
• Final candidate may be required to successfully complete a pre-employment drug screen
• Contractors, professional services, or other contingent workers should confirm with their local agency if they are eligible to apply for FTE positions
• EEO - Disabled/Veterans

Daimler Truck North America is committed to workforce inclusion and providing an environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex (including pregnancy), religion, national origin, age, marital status, family relationship, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (including transgender and transitioning status), genetic information, or veteran status.

For an accommodation or special assistance with applying for a posted position, please contact our Human Resources department at 503-745-8982 or toll free 800-206-3369. For TTY/TDD enabled call 503-745-2137 or toll free 866-355-6935.