Senior APAC Transportation Lead

Senior APAC Transportation Lead based in Singapore

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living.

Role Overview
The Transportation Lead, APAC is responsible for overseeing and optimizing end‑to‑end transportation operations across the region. This role ensures efficient, reliable, and timely movement of raw materials and finished goods from S+N and third‑party manufacturing sites into Global Distribution Centres (GDCs), and subsequently from GDCs to Local Distribution Centres and direct customers.

What will you be doing?

• Work in close partnership with Regional Logistics and Warehouse teams to harmonize warehouse and transportation activities, support efficient order fulfilment, and ensure smooth inbound and outbound flows throughout the regional network.
• Design, implement, and govern end‑to‑end regional transportation services and visibility tools (through ePOD), covering inbound flows into APAC from global manufacturing sites and outbound flows from regional warehouses to Local Distribution Centres and distributors.
• Achieve targeted On‑Time Delivery (OTD) performance for all shipments.
• Manage Transportation Service Providers, ensuring clear expectations, measurable performance targets, and high‑quality execution.
• Monitor and proactively reduce customer backorders and logistics backlog across the network.
• Provide accurate and timely order and delivery information to internal teams and customers.
• Partner with Global Trade Compliance to improve material flow, accelerate customs clearance, and reduce overall lead times.
• Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date lead times, enabling a responsive and agile transport network in collaboration with Global Planning and Manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Procurement on the Logistics category and supplier strategies.
• Build and maintain a resilient transportation network that effectively mitigates operational risks.
• Manage transportation incidents, conduct thorough root‑cause analysis, and implement corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Act as a transport operations SME for GD&TC network optimization projects.
• Collaborate with Regional OPEX teams to align transportation processes with continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring standardized, efficient, and scalable operational practices across APAC.
• Support Analytics & Systems teams and IT in deploying SAP enhancements, Transport Management Systems (TMS), Track & Trace tools, and other digital visibility solutions.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of transportation master data and maintain a single source of truth.
• Identify bottlenecks, risks, and opportunities across the transport network and recommend actionable improvements.
• Manage freight spend within defined targets and lead initiatives to reduce Cost‑to‑Serve.
• Develop and enhance transportation performance metrics across material, information, and financial flows.
• Lead the creation and improvement of transportation KPI dashboards and reporting standards.
• Build a sustainable transportation network aligned with corporate CO₂ and cost‑reduction goals.
• Implement Business Process Management (BPM) standards within transportation operations.
• Foster a high‑performance culture aligned with the company’s pillars of care, courage, and collaboration.

What will you need to be successful?

• Bachelor degree in Logistics or Transportation, Business or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in Logistics, Transportation, or Freight Forwarding in a global environment.
• Proven experience with multimodal freight operations (ocean, air, overland, customs) and parcel/express last‑mile distribution.
• Experience in the Life Sciences or Healthcare industry strongly preferred.

You. Unlimited.
We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve.

• Inclusion + Belonging: Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website https://www.smith-nephew.com
• Your Future: Generous annual bonus and pension Schemes, Save As You Earn share options.
• Work/Life Balance: Flexible Vacation and Time Off, Paid Holidays and Paid Volunteering Hours, so we can give back to our communities!
• Your Wellbeing: Private Health and Dental plans, Healthcare Cash Plans, Income Protection, Life Assurance and much more.
• Flexibility: Hybrid Working Model (For most professional roles).
• Training: Hands-On, Team-Customised, Mentorship.