Transportation Manager

Position Summary

Reporting to the Warehouse Operations Manager, the Transport Manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution and performance of the company’s transportation function. The role owns dispatch, scheduling, route optimization, driver performance, fleet operations, transportation compliance and transportation-related operating costs within established company policies and approved budget parameters.

The Transport Manager leads approximately 14 delivery routes and serves as the primary operational point of contact for drivers while they are on the road. Working collaboratively with Warehouse Operations, Finance, Sales, Procurement and other shared-resource teams, the Manager will improve service, productivity, safety and cost performance.

The successful candidate will be an experienced transportation or operations leader who can build an accountable, high-performing team, use operational data to improve decisions and lead change in a fast-paced distribution environment.

Job Scope – Duties & Responsibilities

1. Transportation Operations

• Lead, coordinate and oversee daily transportation operations, including in-house and subcontracted drivers.
• Manage approximately 14 delivery routes and optimize driver, vehicle and route utilization.
• Manage daily dispatch, driver assignments, route changes, delivery exceptions and service recovery.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for drivers while on the road, providing direction and resolving operational issues.
• Monitor on-time delivery, delivery quality and customer-service performance and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Warehouse Frontline Managers to optimize staging, loading and outbound delivery flow.

2. Driver Leadership & People Management

• Lead, coach and develop delivery personnel to achieve safety, service, productivity and cost objectives.
• Manage driver schedules, attendance, vacation coverage and daily staffing requirements.
• Participate in recruitment, selection, onboarding, evaluation and retention of qualified delivery personnel.
• Establish clear performance expectations and address performance issues promptly.
• Manage employee-relations matters in collaboration with Human Resources and in accordance with company policy and applicable legislation.
• Build a culture of safety, accountability, teamwork and professional customer service.

3. Fleet Operations & Compliance

• Manage the day-to-day operation, availability and reliability of the company’s leased and owned vehicle fleet.
• Ensure completion and documentation of required pre-trip inspections and vehicle records.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance and unscheduled repairs to minimize downtime.
• Ensure compliance with applicable federal and provincial transportation legislation, regulations and company safety policies.
• Maintain appropriate records relating to vehicle inspections, maintenance, incidents and regulatory requirements.
• Manage transportation-related incidents and coordinate investigations and corrective actions as required.
• Develop recommendations for fleet replacement, additions and transportation-related capital expenditures for review and approval through established company processes.

4. Process Improvement & Cost Management

• Identify and implement improvements that reduce waste and transportation costs while maintaining or improving service levels.
• Review route efficiency, vehicle utilization, driver productivity, overtime and transportation costs.
• Develop, maintain and improve transportation SOPs, workflows and operating processes.
• Monitor transportation KPIs and take corrective action to achieve or exceed established targets.
• Manage transportation spending within approved budget and company authority.
• Ensure drivers follow established procedures for customer credits, returns, damaged goods, shortages and delivery documentation in accordance with the Inventory Control Policy.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with Warehouse Operations, Finance, Sales and Procurement to resolve transportation issues and improve service and cost performance.
• Work with Sales to resolve delivery-related customer issues while respecting established departmental decision rights.
• Support development and implementation of best practices across warehouse and transportation operations.
• Train and coach drivers to respond effectively to customer needs and represent the company professionally in the field.

6. Technology & Change Management

• Participate in the implementation and adoption of the company’s ERP, WMS and transportation technology systems.
• Ensure transportation processes, route information, driver workflows and operational data are accurately represented in system workflows.
• Support system testing, training, implementation and post-go-live stabilization.

Transportation KPIs

• On-Time Delivery
• Cost per Stop / Route: Within established target
• Route and Vehicle Utilization: Within established target
• Overtime: Within established target
• Fleet Downtime: Below established threshold
• Preventable Transportation Incidents/Occurrence Tracking
• Driver Safety and Compliance: 100% completion of required inspections/documentation and timely corrective action.
• Customer Delivery Complaints: Within established target.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, distribution or a related field.
• Previous experience leading and managing a transportation, delivery or operations team.
• Valid driver’s license with a satisfactory driver’s abstract.
• Strong knowledge of transportation safety practices and applicable federal and provincial transportation requirements.
• Demonstrated experience with route planning, dispatch, fleet coordination and transportation operations.
• Proven ability to identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, reduce costs and improve service.
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Excel and experience with transportation, ERP, WMS or route-optimization systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to use operational data to make informed decisions.
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships across departments and with external partners.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, respond effectively to operational challenges and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to build commitment and gain support for new ideas, processes and initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous commercial driving experience; Class 1 or Class 3 experience is an asset.
• Experience managing a fleet of commercial vehicles.
• Experience working with subcontracted transportation providers.
• Experience in food distribution, wholesale distribution or a similar fast-paced operating environment.
• Experience with transportation management systems, route optimization software or ERP/WMS systems.
• Knowledge of preventive fleet maintenance and transportation compliance requirements.

What does success look like?

First 90 / 180 / 365 Days

First 90 Days

• Establish relationships with drivers, warehouse leadership and key departments.
• Assess routes, driver schedules, fleet condition, compliance and transportation costs.
• Establish baseline transportation KPIs and identify immediate safety, service and efficiency opportunities.
• Review transportation SOPs and prepare transportation processes for ERP/WMS implementation.
• Support ERP/WMS testing, training and implementation readiness.

First 180 Days

• Implement measurable route and fleet-efficiency improvements.
• Establish consistent driver performance-management and coaching practices.
• Improve delivery reliability and transportation productivity.
• Reduce avoidable overtime, downtime and transportation costs.
• Successfully transition transportation operations into the ERP/WMS environment and stabilize post-go-live performance.

First 365 Days

• Achieve established transportation KPIs.
• Deliver measurable cost and productivity improvements.
• Establish a high-performing, accountable driver team.
• Improve fleet reliability and utilization.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

The role requires regular presence in warehouse, yard and vehicle operating areas. Ability to walk throughout warehouse and yard environments and occasionally lift or handle products up to 50 lbs. Ability to operate material-handling equipment where required and appropriately trained.

Salary/Compensation: Commensurate with experience

Benefits: Health Plan; Pension Plan

Schedule: Monday to Friday – start time 5:30am; flexibility required to support transportation operations.

At FJ Wadden & Sons, our vision is to bring reliable and innovative wholesale distribution solutions to retail and food service customers throughout Newfoundland. Our customers come from all walks of life and so do we. We are an equal opportunity employer, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for small businesses, you will find a home at FJ Wadden & Sons.