Transportation Analyst II

OVERVIEW

Imagine. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S. and a thriving supply chain network, there has never been a greater need for people of high initiative, of big-picture thinking, and adaptability to share in our journey. At Ulta Beauty, we have greater ambitions
. Growing what works. Iterating in areas that have promise. Creating new offerings for industry advantage.

In all of this is the opportunity to experience real impact, to effectuate change, to give wings to a spirit of creativity and entrepreneurism. Because the challenges are multi-faceted and ever-changing. But for those inspired by real-world demands that press and stretch, that call for new and smarter ideas, that require heavy doses of trust and respect, Ulta Beauty encourages you to imagine with us.

The Transportation Analyst II supports Ulta Beauty’s transportation operations by ensuring high on-time delivery performance to retail locations. This role serves as a key escalation point for daily shipment issues and works closely with distribution centers, carriers, vendors, and internal teams to maintain service continuity. It is responsible for analyzing performance, driving process improvements, and contributing to strategic schedule planning. The position manages multiple projects and supports business goals tied to cost, service, and operational efficiency.

It reports to the Transportation Manager and requires strong cross-functional collaboration,

• Oversee day-to-day outbound transportation operations from distribution centers to Ulta Beauty retail stores, ensuring timely and accurate execution.
• Monitor carrier performance against SLAs using the Transportation Management System (TMS) and other means; track exceptions and follow up on service failures.
• Communicate daily with carriers, DC teams, and internal partners via TMS, email, and phone to resolve delivery issues and maintain service continuity.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and efficiency improvements within the transportation network while maintaining service expectations.
• Maintain strong working relationships with carriers, enforcing accountability through regular communication and performance tracking.
• Support weekly and monthly carrier scorecard reviews and participate in service recovery discussions.
• Assist with outbound delivery planning, including special projects, seasonal events, and high-volume periods.
• Run routine and ad hoc TMS reports to support performance monitoring and operational decisions.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on initiatives that impact store deliveries, such as merchandising resets or promotional activity.
• Participate in internal process improvement efforts aimed at reducing cost, improving visibility, or enhancing communication.
• Maintain documentation for key transportation processes, SOPs, and issue resolution protocols.
• Provide support and coverage for other analysts during high-volume periods or absences.
• Contribute to a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and team support.
• Stay informed on system updates, transportation trends, and operational best practices through training and ongoing development.

• 3-5 years of domestic transportation experience with direct, hands-on use of E2
  
  Open or other TMS systems.
• Experience with ERP and BI tools; SAP, Power BI, and Tableau preferred.
• Solid understanding of North American transportation operations, regulations, and industry terminology.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills using lookup and data analysis functions.
• Proven experience building and maintaining vendor/carrier relationships and tracking performance against defined metrics.
• Clear understanding of key transportation KPIs and their role in cost, service, and carrier performance.
• Proven analytical skills with the ability to assess large data sets and translate findings into actionable insights.
• Understanding of key transportation KPIs and their role in cost, service, and carrier performance.
• High level of energy, discipline, and focus in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong collaborator with the…