Transportation Manager

The North West Company; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free parking at distribution center

Job summary

The North West Company is seeking a Transportation Manager to lead inbound and outbound logistics across Canadian operations, ensuring service levels and cost efficiency. You will direct supervisors and analysts and partner with stakeholders to optimise the transportation network.

Based in Winnipeg, this role reports to the Director, Logistics, with opportunities for growth, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits. Occasional travel up to 20–25 days per year may be required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education preferred in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field.
• Minimum five years of industry experience in logistics or transportation, preferably in a logisticsian or similar role.
• Experience with transportation and financial modelling tools; Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) considered an asset.
• Strong ability to monitor key performance metrics, analyze results, and implement adjustments to meet business and service expectations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to interact with stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to work independently while also collaborating within a team.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy; ability to handle confidential information.
• Demonstrated curiosity, analytical thinking, and willingness to navigate complex scenarios across multiple systems.
• Previous supervisory or people leadership experience is an asset.
• Occasional travel up to 20–25 days per year.

Responsibilities

• Lead and provide strategic direction to supervisors, analysts, and indirect staff responsible for inbound and outbound logistics and transportation activities across Canadian operations.
• Optimize transportation operations and logistics costs by maximizing network utilization and staying within budget to improve cost effectiveness.
• Monitor and communicate transportation performance with stakeholders via timely updates on volumes, forecasts, and activity; develop network-wide performance reports.
• Provide leadership and cross-functional support in integrating supply chain functions to ensure end-to-end execution.
• Manage logistics partner relationships and negotiate contracts and rates to drive efficiencies and compliance with service levels.
• Monitor and communicate carrier performance and rate changes; travel may be required.
• Lead development and continuous improvement of logistics initiatives leveraging TMS to optimize the transportation network.
• Benchmark logistics partners and collaborate to identify best practices and improve performance.
• Manage freight invoice processing and accruals; validate rates and charges across stores and cargo types.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly freight accruals for Finance; track outstanding and disputed invoices.
• Oversee Inbound Vendor Compliance Program and maintain Supply Chain section of Vendor Compliance Manual across the network.
• Monitor vendor compliance and performance, track incidents, fines, trends, and collaborate with vendors and internal teams to improve efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Attention to detail

Organization

Independent & team collaboration

Adaptability

Problem solving

Process improvement

Interpersonal skills

Education

Post-secondary education in Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field

Tools

Oracle Transportation Management (OTM)

Excel

Word

Job description

In your role as a Transportation Manager, you will Lead and provide strategic direction to supervisors, analysts, and indirect staff responsible for inbound and outbound logistics and transportation activities across Canadian operations. Ensure transportation operations align with corporate strategy and key business initiatives while optimizing service levels, operational efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

Joining NWC gives you the opportunity for growth and development throughout the company, a competitive salary and benefits package, and to be part of a dynamic and diverse culture. We also have free parking at our distribution center.

NWC is a leading retailer to under‑served rural communities and urban neighbourhood markets in the following regions: Northern Canada, Western Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific islands, and the Caribbean. Our stores offer a broad range of products and services with an emphasis on food. Our value offer is to be the best local shopping choice for everyday household and local lifestyle needs. Check out northwest.ca for more information.

Your Role:

• Manage and oversee inbound and outbound logistics and transportation operations across Canadian banners, ensuring effective planning, coordination, and scheduling to maintain expected cargo flow and agreed‑upon service levels.
• Optimize transportation operations and logistics costs by maximizing network utilization, ensuring expenditure remains within budget, and identifying opportunities to improve operational efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Monitor and communicate transportation performance and activity by providing stakeholders with timely updates on inbound volumes, forecasts, and actual activity, while developing and maintaining network‑wide performance reports for transportation partners against targeted service levels.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and cross‑functional support in the integration of supply chain functions, including customer service, planning, operations, transportation, and distribution, to ensure alignment and effective end‑to‑end supply chain execution.

• Manage logistics partner relationships and negotiate contracts and rates to drive operational efficiencies, cost savings, and compliance with agreed‑upon service levels.
• Monitor and communicate carrier performance and rate changes, providing analysis and performance metrics to support informed decision‑making; travel may be required.
• Lead the development and continuous improvement of logistics initiatives that support NWC’s logistics excellence by leveraging technology and optimizing the transportation network through effective use of the Transportation Management System (TMS).
• Benchmark logistics partners both within and outside the network and collaborate with them to identify best practices and drive improved performance.
• Manage and oversee freight invoice processing and accruals, ensuring all invoices are accurately validated for rates, accessorial charges, and allocation across stores and cargo types, including Food, General Merchandise, and Non‑Merchandise.
• Prepare and provide monthly and quarterly freight accruals to Finance for total freight spend, accounting for outstanding invoices, unreceived invoices, and disputed amounts pending approval.
• Manage, oversee, and enforce the company’s Inbound Vendor Compliance Program, including maintaining and updating the Supply Chain section of the NWC Vendor Compliance Manual and ensuring all related materials on the NWC website remain current.
• Monitor and improve vendor compliance and performance by tracking service incidents, processing fines, reporting trends, and collaborating with vendors, Merchandising, and Supply Chain teams to address issues and improve supply chain efficiency.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• Post‑secondary education in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or a related field is preferred.
• Minimum five years of industry experience in logistics or transportation, preferably in a logistician or similar role.
• Experience with transportation and financial modelling tools, with previous experience using Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) considered an asset.
• Strong ability to monitor key performance metrics, analyze results, and implement adjustments to meet business and service expectations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Word.
• Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills, with the ability to effectively manage multiple projects, tasks, and competing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work independently while also collaborating effectively within a team environment.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to handle and maintain confidential information.
• Demonstrated curiosity, analytical thinking, and willingness to navigate complex scenarios involving multiple technical systems.
• Previous supervisory or people leadership experience is considered an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of TNWC’s transportation network and the various transportation modes used across the network is considered an asset.
• Occasional travel will be required for up to 20‑25 days per year.

Location:

Winnipeg Logistics Service Centre, 100 Murray Park Road, Winnipeg, MB

Report to:

Director, Logistics

We create a collaborative and constructive culture by:

• Being Enterprising
• Committed to our Customer
• Working with Passion
• Leading and Developing Others
• Demonstrating Respect and Inclusivity
• Building Trust

The North West Company is committed to inclusion and diversity and encourages applications from all candidates including but not limitedtoall religions and ethnicities, LGBTQ2s+, BIPOC, and persons with disabilities.

This position adheres to the Distribution Application Process Guidelines.

A competitive salary is being offered along with opportunities to learn, develop and advance throughout the organization.

Internal applicants must select “Yes” as the answer to “Are you currently employed by The North West Company or any of its subsidiaries?” during the application process. Positions will be advertised externally; however internal candidates will receive first consideration based on qualifications. NWC employees are encouraged to bring forward applications of external candidates that meet the qualifications of this position.

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