Carrier Manager

Lush-Cosmetic; Toronto; On-site; CAD 78,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Lush Cosmetics North America is seeking a dynamic Carrier Manager to grow our North American carrier network and ensure reliable, cost-efficient transportation across Canada and the USA. You will lead carrier sourcing, contract negotiations, and performance management while coaching a high-performing team.

Reporting to the Head of Product Planning & Logistics, you will partner with cross-functional teams to align capacity with business needs and drive improvements in service, cost, and

Qualifications

• 5+ years in transportation, freight, logistics, procurement, or carrier management.
• 3+ years in a leadership role with training and development experience.
• Strong experience managing carrier relationships and negotiating rates and contracts.
• Proven track record of cost savings, service improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills with ability to translate data into actions.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders and hold partners accountable.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team with accountability and continuous improvement.
• Coach and mentor to build capability in commercial, analytical, and relationship management skills.
• Develop and maintain a strategic portfolio of transportation carriers aligned with business needs.
• Lead carrier selection, onboarding, and ongoing relationship management.
• Own and manage total carrier spend and cost alignment with business objectives.
• Develop annual carrier budget, targets, and forecasts.
• Analyze spend, trends, and variances to identify risks and opportunities.
• Establish strategic partnerships with key carriers to strengthen collaboration and service.
• Ensure capacity commitments during normal and peak periods.
• Lead contract negotiations and performance expectations with carriers.
• Negotiate rates and opportunities to reduce costs while maintaining service levels.
• Manage commercial issues, disputes, and claims with carriers and stakeholders.
• Lead carrier performance reviews and corrective action plans.
• Identify trends and drive improvements in carrier performance.
• Hold carriers to agreed service levels and performance standards.
• Collaborate with Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, and Operations on carrier strategies.
• Support continuous improvement to improve transportation efficiency and resilience.
• Create an inclusive team environment that empowers ownership and decision-making.
• Utilize carrier management systems integrated with business operations to drive value.
• Maintain knowledge of customs, trade compliance, dangerous goods, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Carrier management

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Cost optimization

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain or related field

Tools

Carrier management systems

Job description

Lush North America supports over 262 (and growing!) retail stores in Canada and the USA, a mail order business based in Vancouver, and manufacturing centers in both Vancouver and Toronto.

Lush is known worldwide for our unique bath and beauty products. We pride ourselves on amazing skin and hair care, personalized customer service, environmental activism and a vibrant store atmosphere. Charitable giving is at the heart of our business, and we believe it's our responsibility to advocate for the environment, animals and people in need.

The Carrier Manager plays an essential role in growing talent in our business through collaboration and sharing best practices within the Logistics team. You know how to be curious about their opportunities and how to be real with feedback and support.

We are looking for a dynamic and creative individual who identifies with our values and ethics to join our support team as a Carrier Manager. The role’s primary responsibility is developing and managing Lush’s North American strategic carrier network to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality transportation services. This role leads carrier sourcing, negotiations, performance management, and commercial relationships, while partnering cross-functionally to ensure transportation capacity and service requirements are aligned with business needs. The Carrier Manager will also lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, creating an environment of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

As a growing business, Lush needs people that can adapt and evolve to the needs of our business. Our Lush staff live with purpose, finding their personal value connection with the values of our business, bringing their work and life paths into one holistic journey. #mylushlife

Reporting to the Head of Product Planning & Logistics, the Carrier Manager undertakes the following RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and mentorship to build team capability and strengthen commercial, analytical, and relationship-management skills.
• Develop and maintain a strategic portfolio of transportation carriers aligned with business requirements, network strategy, and service expectations.
• Lead carrier selection, qualification, onboarding, and ongoing relationship management.
• Own and manage total carrier spend, ensuring transportation costs are effectively managed and aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the development of the annual carrier budget, financial targets, and ongoing forecasts.
• Analyze carrier spend, trends, and variances to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Develop strategic partnerships with key carriers to strengthen collaboration, innovation, and service
• Establish and maintain capacity commitments to ensure sufficient transportation capacity during both normal and peak periods.
• Lead carrier contract negotiations, including commercial terms, service requirements, and performance expectations.
• Negotiate transportation rates and identify opportunities to optimize costs while maintaining service levels.
• Manage commercial issues, disputes, and claims, working collaboratively with carriers and internal stakeholders to achieve timely and appropriate resolution.
• Lead regular carrier performance reviews and develop corrective action plans where performance expectations are not met.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities within carrier performance and proactively implement improvements.
• Hold carriers accountable to agreed service levels, contractual commitments, and performance standards.
• Partner with Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Operations, and other stakeholders to understand transportation requirements and develop effective carrier strategies.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that improve transportation efficiency, service, scalability, and resilience.
• Create an inclusive team environment where employees are empowered to take ownership, challenge assumptions, and make decisions.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of carrier management systems, including their integration into overarching business operations to drive process optimization and organizational value.
• Strong understanding of customs protocols, global trade compliance, dangerous goods regulations, and statutory requirements, partnering cross-functionally to ensure full operational adherence.

You bring the following QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in transportation, freight, logistics, procurement, or carrier management.
• 3+ years of experience in a leadership role with a proven track record in training and development of others
• Strong experience managing carrier relationships and negotiating transportation rates and contracts.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable cost savings, service improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders and hold strategic partners accountable.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate complex commercial issues.

Preferred:

• Solid understanding of supply chain, logistics, reverse logistics , and INCOTERMS
• A university or college degree in Supply Chain, International Business, or a related field
• Previous experience in the food or cosmetics industry

Thriving with a diverse company culture, celebrating the uniqueness of our staff and committed to inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all interested applicants; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time.

Location: 35 Jutland Road, Etobicoke, Ontario, M8Z 2G6

Recruitment Process Overview:

#LI-DC1 #LI-Onsite

This salary range is based on an assessment of the local market and may vary depending on the successful candidate's location. This range is based on base salary and does not include additional bonus program and total rewards eligibility.

Base Salary Range

$78,000 - $87,000 CAD

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Lush Cosmetics North America respectfully recognizes that our business operates on Indigenous territory across Turtle Island. As a business headquartered in Canada, our largest facilities are located on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, as well as here on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishnabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee and Wendat, and now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. Our commitment to reconciliation and decolonization is guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action #92 . We recognize that our facilities, along with our settler and newcomer staff are guests on this land and as we act to repair past harm, we do it together in ally ship with Indigenous People everywhere, including staff, customers and with leadership from organizations and communities we work with.