The posting
As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena builds the critical infrastructure powering the AI era. We’re a technology company shaping the future of networking, guided by innovation, integrity, and collaboration. Through development opportunities, meaningful work, and flexibility, Ciena supports growth and well-being—on and off the job. Connect with a career that matters.
Ciena is seeking an experienced, analytical, and results-oriented professional to drive transportation optimization, network design support, and cost reduction initiatives across its global Service Logistics operations.
This role will focus on improving the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance of Ciena's global service logistics network, with particular emphasis on international transportation, cross-border distribution, carrier and routing optimization, and logistics cost visibility. The successful candidate will help evaluate how inventory and replacement equipment move across global distribution centers, forward stocking locations (FSLs), and customer sites, identifying opportunities to reduce transportation and operating costs while maintaining or improving service-level commitments.
Working closely with Service Logistics, Service Parts Planning, Global Trade, Finance, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs), this individual will develop fact-based recommendations, strengthen foundational logistics processes and analytical capabilities, and drive optimization initiatives from analysis through implementation.
The position will also support broader Service Supply Chain cost-reduction programs and special projects, including RMA deflection, repair cost optimization, and operational process improvement.
Key Responsibilities
International Transportation & Logistics Optimization
- Analyze and optimize domestic and international transportation flows across Ciena's global Service Supply Chain, including distribution center-to-FSL, FSL-to-customer, interfacility, and reverse logistics movements.
- Identify opportunities to reduce transportation costs through carrier and service-level selection, route optimization, shipment consolidation, distribution strategies, and improved utilization of existing logistics infrastructure.
- Evaluate international transportation lanes, transit times, freight rates, shipping modes, and service capabilities to identify cost-effective solutions that support customer delivery commitments.
- Partner with Global Trade and logistics providers to assess cross-border shipping requirements, customs clearance considerations, importer/exporter of record (IOR/EOR) arrangements, and other trade-related factors affecting transportation cost, feasibility, and execution.
- Analyze transportation performance, routing exceptions, expedited shipments, and cost drivers to identify recurring inefficiencies and develop corrective actions.
Service Logistics Network Design & Cost Optimization
- Support global Service Logistics network design and optimization initiatives, evaluating transportation strategies, distribution alternatives, FSL configurations, and associated cost, service, and operational tradeoffs.
- Develop transportation and logistics cost models to compare network design scenarios, including centralized versus distributed fulfillment, alternate stocking locations, carrier options, and service-level configurations.
- Evaluate supplier rate structures, transportation pricing, accessorial charges, and other logistics cost components to identify savings opportunities and support commercially informed network decisions.
- Partner with internal stakeholders and logistics providers to translate network analysis into actionable recommendations, business cases, and implementation plans.
Logistics Spend Visibility, Analytics & Process Improvement
- Help establish the foundational logistics spend visibility and Spend Cube capabilities required to analyze freight, transportation, duty/VAT, and related expenses across carriers, lanes, regions, and service levels.
- Develop and improve logistics cost forecasting, actual-cost tracking, performance reporting, and analytical models to support financial planning, cost reduction, and operational decision-making.
- Analyze large and fragmented data sets, reconcile information across supplier and internal systems, and identify opportunities to improve data accuracy, transparency, and usability.
- Support the development and documentation of foundational Service Logistics processes and standards, including process mapping, routing and carrier standards, global trade-lane visibility, and operational playbooks, to improve consistency and enable future optimization.
Cost Reduction Initiatives & Special Projects
- Lead or support assigned Service Supply Chain cost-reduction initiatives, developing business cases, establishing baselines, coordinating cross-functional actions, and tracking results through implementation and realized savings.
- Drive the RMA FastTrack program by partnering with Technical Support, Product Quality, Repair Operations, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities to prevent avoidable returns and reduce unnecessary repair, transportation, and inventory expense.
- Analyze repair reason codes, event codes, NFF, CNR, and related repair outcomes to identify systemic cost drivers, improve data integrity, and support corrective actions and process improvements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation, Business, Operations, Industrial Engineering, Analytics, or a related field.
- 5+ years of relevant professional experience in supply chain, transportation, logistics, distribution operations, network optimization, or related functions.
- Strong working knowledge of international transportation and logistics, including cross-border distribution, freight movement, transportation service levels, carrier operations, and associated cost drivers.
- Demonstrated experience analyzing transportation networks, logistics costs, operational performance, or distribution strategies to develop actionable business recommendations.
- Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to evaluate complex operational and financial tradeoffs.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and experience with data visualization or business intelligence tools such as Power BI.
- Experience working with large or fragmented data sets and reconciling information across multiple systems, suppliers, or operational processes.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage analytical workstreams, lead cross-functional initiatives, and drive projects from analysis through implementation.
- Strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into clear recommendations for operational and leadership teams.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in service parts logistics, aftermarket supply chains, advanced replacement, reverse logistics, or time-critical service delivery networks.
- Familiarity with international trade and customs processes, Incoterms, IOR/EOR requirements, and cross-border shipping considerations.
- Experience with 3PL operations, carrier rate structures, freight cost modeling, transportation management systems (TMS), or logistics procurement analysis.
- Knowledge of FSL network optimization, inventory deployment strategies, transportation serviceability, and service-level cost tradeoffs.
- Experience with SQL, Python, Java, or similar data analytics and automation tools.
- Experience with Lean, Six Sigma, or other structured continuous-improvement methodologies.
- Experience with cost-reduction business cases, savings measurement, forecasting, spend analysis, or operational performance modeling.
Pay ranges at Ciena are designed to accommodate variations in knowledge, skills, experience, market conditions, and locations, reflecting our diverse products, industries, and lines of business. Please note that the pay range information provided in this posting pertains specifically to the primary location, which is the top location listed in case multiple locations are available.
Non-Sales employees may be eligible for a discretionary incentive bonus, while Sales employees may be eligible for a sales commission. In addition to competitive compensation, Ciena offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, participation in 401(K) (USA) & DCPP (Canada) with company matching, Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), company-paid holidays, paid sick leave, and vacation time. We also comply with all applicable laws regarding Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence.
At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.
