Position Title:  National Transportation Manager – Distribution & Carrier Performance
Department: Supply Chain – Distribution & Warehouse
Reporting Manager:  Director Distribution Operations

Job Summary:
The National Transportation Distribution Manager is responsible for developing and managing Wakefield Canada's third-party transportation network to ensure optimal service, cost efficiency, and operational performance. This role leads carrier sourcing, contract negotiations, performance management, freight audit processes, claims resolution, and transportation governance initiatives.

The incumbent will establish carrier strategies, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), manage transportation supplier relationships, and provide operational guidance to regional distribution teams to ensure the selection of the most effective carrier solution based on service requirements, geography, cost, and customer expectations.

This role acts as the primary liaison between carriers, operations, customer service, finance, sales, and distribution teams to drive continuous improvement and maximize transportation value across the organization.

Key Accountabilities:

Carrier Management & Procurement

• Develop and maintain a strategic network of approved transportation service providers across Canada.
• Lead carrier sourcing initiatives, Requests for Proposal (RFPs), carrier evaluations, and onboarding activities.
• Negotiate transportation agreements, rate structures, service level agreements (SLAs), and contract renewals.
• Ensure competitive market pricing while maintaining required service levels and capacity commitments.
• Conduct regular market benchmarking and identify opportunities for transportation cost savings.

Carrier Performance Management

• Establish, monitor, and maintain transportation carrier scorecards and performance metrics.
• Develop and manage key performance indicators including:
  • On-Time Pickup Performance
  • On-Time Delivery Performance
  • Claims Ratio
  • Billing Accuracy
  • Transit Time Performance
  • Capacity Utilization
  • Cost per Shipment
  • Customer Service Response Time
• Conduct quarterly business reviews with transportation providers.
• Develop corrective action plans with carriers when performance standards are not achieved.

Claims & Service Resolution

• Own the transportation claims process for loss, damage, shortages, service failures, and billing disputes.
• Investigate carrier performance issues and ensure timely resolution.
• Monitor claims trends and identify root causes to reduce recurring service failures.
• Collaborate with Customer Service, Operations, Finance, and Sales teams to resolve transportation-related escalations.

Freight Audit & Invoice Management

• Oversee freight invoice auditing and validation processes.
• Review transportation invoices to ensure compliance with contracted rates and agreed accessorial charges.
• Resolve billing discrepancies and recover overcharges.
• Partner with Finance to ensure accurate coding, allocation, and payment of transportation expenses.
• Develop reporting to identify invoice accuracy trends and cost-saving opportunities.

Transportation Strategy & Governance

• Define carrier coverage by region, product category, delivery type, and customer requirements.
• Establish transportation routing guides and carrier selection criteria.
• Develop and maintain carrier utilization strategies to ensure optimal network performance.
• Provide transportation guidelines and best practices to warehouse and distribution operations teams.
• Ensure compliance with company transportation policies and procurement standards.

Operational Support

• Provide carrier recommendations for new customer opportunities, distribution expansions, and business projects.
• Support transportation continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in logistics network optimization and supply chain cost reduction projects.
• Reporting on relevant KPI’s (freight cost as % of sales and cost per litre, carrier utilization, recovery rate, accessorial cost tracking, customer OTIF, etc.).
• Act as the transportation subject matter expert for third-party carrier management.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
• Contract negotiation and commercial acumen.
• Strong analytical and financial skills.
• Transportation operations and carrier management expertise.
• Problem-solving and root cause analysis.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced communication and presentation skills.

Direct Managerial / Supervisory Responsibility

• No direct reports initially.
• Functional leadership of carrier partners and transportation providers.
• Provides guidance and transportation governance support to Operations, Distribution, Customer Service, and Sales teams.

Education / Experience:

• Post-Secondary Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum 5-7 years of transportation, logistics, carrier management, or procurement experience.
• Minimum 3 years of experience negotiating transportation contracts and service agreements.
• Experience managing freight claims and transportation supplier performance.
• Strong understanding of transportation costing, freight audit processes, and carrier rate structures.
• Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and freight payment platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Power BI skills preferred.
• APICS, SCMP, CSCMP, PMP, or related professional designation considered an asset.

Working Conditions:

• Office environment with occasional travel to distribution centers, carrier terminals, and customer locations.
• Periodic travel required for carrier reviews, supplier audits, and business meetings.
• Extended hours may occasionally be required to support operational priorities, carrier transitions, or strategic projects.

Salary Range - $100K - $115K