JobsGenerac

Global Transportation Mode Manager

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Jul 19, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

Apply at Generac

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Tell me about a time you negotiated a domestic or international freight contract that didn't go the way you expected. What did you do?

negotiation resilience and whether they can adapt strategy mid-deal rather than just execute a script

You're matrixed into a business unit's leadership while also reporting into Logistics. Tell me about a time you had competing priorities between a business unit and your functional leadership. How did you resolve it?

ability to manage dual reporting lines and conflicting stakeholder demands without dropping either relationship

Tell me about a cost savings initiative you drove in transportation that held up over multiple years, not just a one-time win.

whether their savings claims are sustainable and backed by process change, or one-off negotiation wins

How have you led or mentored a team, or run a large cross-functional project, where you didn't have direct authority over everyone involved?

leadership and influence skills given the role has no formal team but requires driving alignment across functions

Tell me about a time you had to explain a logistics problem or a cost overrun to senior leadership. How did you frame it?

ability to translate operational detail into a message executives can act on

Technical

Walk me through a global transportation RFP or RFQ you led from start to finish. What was the scope, and how did you decide which carriers made the cut?

whether they have real end-to-end sourcing experience and understand the tradeoffs behind carrier selection, not just process steps

How do you read and compare freight tariff rates and surcharges across different modes and regions to figure out the most economical option?

actual depth of tariff and rating methodology knowledge versus surface familiarity

What KPIs would you put in place for a new transportation contract, and how would you make sure they actually drive the behavior you want from the carrier?

whether they think about metrics as a management tool, not just a reporting requirement

Describe how you would run a quarterly business review with a major carrier. What do you bring to the table and what are you trying to get out of it?

whether they know how to structure ongoing supplier governance, not just close deals

What global transportation trends are you watching right now, and how do you think they'll affect a company with Generac's footprint over the next year or two?

whether their market awareness is current and applied, not generic textbook knowledge

Situational

Say a carrier is consistently missing service level agreements at one of our business unit locations overseas. How would you handle it, from diagnosing the problem to fixing it?

structured problem-solving with carrier performance issues and whether they'd escalate, renegotiate, or replace

Imagine you're six months into managing a mode and you spot a shift in the global transportation market, like a capacity crunch or new tariff, that's going to hit costs in a region you cover. What do you do before it becomes a crisis?

whether this is a placeholder

If a business unit wants a change to their logistics network that you think will hurt cost or service elsewhere in the system, how do you handle that conversation?

whether they can push back constructively on internal stakeholders without damaging the relationship

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Generac from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Generac.

We believe power is a promise - a shared commitment to be there for others when it matters most. For more than 65 years, we've turned big ideas into solutions that help protect homes, strengthen businesses and build a more resilient, efficient, sustainable energy future. Ready to Power a Smarter World with us? The Transportation Mode Manager oversees all activities associated with transportation in the mode, across all countries including sourcing, carrier selection, rate negotiations, freight audit and payment, cost controls, and functional reporting and developing transportation relationships. Additionally, this role will be matrixed into the leadership of a specified Business Unit providing monthly metrics, performance, and act as liaison between the Business Unit and Logistics Leadership.  This position will ensure all partners in the supply chain are working effectively and efficiently to ensure smooth operations, communicating effectively with internal and external customers, and responding to their requirements. The Transportation Mode Manager will also be accountable to generate savings year over year while driving continuous improvement. Key to success will be working closely with other key functional representatives and Generac’s Global Businesses to ensure the supply base is effectively serving internal and external customer needs. Ability to assess the global transportation environment in the short, medium, and long term and identify trends that will impact Generac. Due to the nature of this position, a minimum of 10% travel is expected. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience • 5 years’ experience in Transportation and Logistics services strategic sourcing for a Fortune 1000 company with an extensive domestic and international presence. • 3 years’ experience leading/mentoring teams or leading large-scale projects PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: • Experience with tariffs and rating methodologies (rates & services) in both US and global regions • Experience leading and influencing multiple individuals and groups • Experience and understanding of freight contracts and multiple methods of global transport • Experience and understanding of carrier operations • Experience in logistics analysis ESSENTIAL DUTIES: • Provide Logistics expertise and support on logistics challenges to the Business unit ensuring timely resolution of issues as identified • Leverage change management, project management and similar disciplines to align stakeholders’ expectations • Develop and deploy KPIs reflecting areas of improvement or success • Review and assess the Business unit logistics network to identify changes in practices in order to optimize logistics execution and costs • Ensure all Logistics contracts have established transportation metrics and KPI’s for all Business Unit locations globally • Create and manage Standard Operating Procedures with the carriers • Conduct QBRs or Annual Reviews as necessary • Develop service level agreements inside existing contracts to ensure supplier performance • Performs analysis and comparison of freight rates to determine the most economical and efficient means to deliver product and Lead RFP/RFQ initiatives • Negotiate International and domestic contracts • Conduct needs analysis, form strategies, and align expectations with internal stakeholders and external suppliers • Preparing and giving presentations to leadership as necessary and Ad hoc assignments as needed • Provide feedback for continuous improvement ideas to logistics leadership KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: • Knowledge of transportation regulations, pricing, operations, and regulatory programs • Strong knowledge of freight tariff rates/surcharges • Extensive knowledge of Global transportation Operations (i.e. Pricing, Performance Metrics and Operations) • Strong and varied knowledge of International and domestic logistics Industry and processes • In depth Knowledge of transportation and logistics costs and regulations • Advanced knowledge of transport tariffs • Demonstrated process improvement and systematic process improvement skills • Established negotiation skills with and selection of freight carriers • Experience using Word, Excel, Power Point, and multiple business applications • Ability to identify and resolve high complexity process/system problems • Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with a wide variety of internal and external customers “We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.”

Apply at Generac

Related jobs

New Product Sourcing Specialist - Purchasing

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Intern Engineering - Advanced Manufacturing

Generac · Waukesha, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Mechanical Engineer II

Generac · Sussex, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Material Handler - Weekend Shift

Generac · Whitewater, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Inside Sales Representative Residential

Generac · Pewaukee, WI

Posted Sep 17 · Verified Sep 20

Industrial Engineer I

Generac · Beaver Dam, WI

Posted Sep 16 · Verified Sep 20