Transportation Manager

GSF External Careers; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental

Vision

Disability

FSA

EAP

Pet insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Job summary

Golden State Foods - Quality Custom Distribution Services (QCD) in Seattle seeks a Transportation Manager to lead all aspects of transportation operations in a fast-paced foodservice distribution environment, ensuring safe, on-time deliveries and exceptional service standards.

You’ll manage a ~50-driver team, drive continuous improvements, oversee budgets, and ensure DOT/OSHA/compliance while supporting a 24/7 operation with a focus on safety, productivity, and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 3+ years leadership in transportation, distribution, logistics or manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of DOT regulations and OSHA compliance.
• Experience managing driver teams, workforce planning, scheduling and development.
• Experience budgeting and reducing operating costs with data-driven improvements.
• Unionized environment experience preferred but not required.
• Bilingual Spanish/English preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in logistics or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day transportation operations, route execution, fleet utilization and driver performance.
• Analyze transportation, labor and service data to meet productivity and safety objectives.
• Develop and coach a team of ~50 drivers and transportation staff through supervisors.
• Support hiring, training, and employee development; manage performance and retention.
• Audit processes and improve routing, delivery, safety and efficiency.
• Ensure DOT, OSHA, FMCSA and food safety compliance.
• Manage budgets, operating expenses, fleet maintenance, leasing and capex planning.
• Provide reporting and collaboration across leadership and customers.

Skills

Leadership experience

DOT regulations knowledge

Driver management

Budget management

Data analysis

Bilingual Spanish/English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field

Job description

Description

About QCD: Established in 2006, Quality Custom Distribution Services LLC (QCD), a subsidiary of GSF, is a custom last-mile distribution company specializing in tailored solutions for selected food service Industry customers. Headquartered in Frisco, Texas, QCD services thousands of restaurants throughout the United States. Providing over 37,000 deliveries a week from 25 strategically located distribution centers, the QCD fleet averages more than 40 million miles driven per year. QCD associates also help run a national non-profit, the GSF Foundation.

At QCD, every role drives success. Whether you're preparing orders, making deliveries, mapping routes, or managing warehouses, you're part of a dynamic team that keeps America's favorite restaurants running. Beyond offering logistics jobs, we build careers and fuel the future of foodservice distribution.

Transportation Manager – Seattle, WA

What You’ll Do:

You’ll lead all aspects of transportation operations within a fast-paced foodservice distribution environment, ensuring safe, efficient, and on-time deliveries while maintaining exceptional service standards. This role is about driving results through people, processes, and continuous improvement while fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence.

In This Role, You’ll:

• Lead day-to-day transportation operations, including route execution, fleet utilization, driver performance, and overall transportation department effectiveness within a multi-temperature distribution environment.
• Analyze transportation, labor, and service performance data to ensure productivity, safety, delivery, and customer service objectives are achieved or exceeded.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of approximately 50 Class A and B drivers and transportation personnel through subordinate supervisors, fostering a high-performance and inclusive culture.
• Support hiring, training, employee development, performance management, and retention initiatives to build a motivated and engaged workforce.
• Audit transportation processes and implement improvements to routing, delivery execution, fleet utilization, safety performance, and operational efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company, customer, and regulatory requirements, including DOT, OSHA, FMCSA, and food safety standards.
• Develop and manage departmental budgets, control operating expenses, and oversee fleet maintenance, equipment utilization, leasing, and capital planning activities.
• Partner with leadership, customers, vendors, and cross-functional teams by providing operational reporting, business analysis, and support for strategic projects and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Bring:

• 3+ years of leadership experience in transportation, distribution, logistics, or manufacturing operations.
• Strong knowledge of DOT regulations, OSHA compliance requirements, fleet management practices, and transportation operations.
• Experience managing driver teams, workforce planning, scheduling, and employee development within a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and motivate diverse teams while managing labor planning, performance, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Experience managing budgets, controlling operational costs, and driving continuous improvement through data analysis and problem-solving.
• Experience in a unionized environment strongly preferred but not required.
• Bilingual Spanish/English skills preferred.
• Prior commercial driving experience (Class A or B) preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.

The Schedule & Setting:

• Full-time, on-site leadership role overseeing transportation operations within a foodservice distribution center environment.
• Supports a 24/7 operation with flexibility required for evenings, weekends, holidays, and business needs.
• Leads transportation operations focused on safety, service excellence, productivity, fleet performance, and continuous improvement.
• Responsible for managing transportation personnel, fleet assets, route execution, compliance programs, and departmental performance.

Pay & Benefits:

• Pay Range (Base Pay): $80,165.05 - $120,247.00 annually
• Weekly pay (every Friday)
• Other Compensation: May include bonuses or other incentive pay as applicable to the position and location.
• Health and Wellness: Medical, Dental, Vision, Disability, Health and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts (FSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Voluntary Insurance (Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, Legal, Life, and AD&D); Pet Insurance.
• Retirement Benefits: 401(k)
• Paid Time Off (PTO): Includes vacation, sick leave, and paid company holidays provided in accordance with company policy and applicable state and local laws.

WHY JOIN US

We're not just in the business of distribution - we're in the business of development. Your ambition accelerates our whole team's progress. We provide clear paths for career advancement, from entry-level to leadership, backed by comprehensive training and development programs. As we grow with our customers, our associates navigate the next turn in their supply chain careers. Opportunities are always on the road ahead with QCD and throughout theGolden State Foodsfamily of companies.

At QCD, our people-first culture is grounded in simple values: treat others the way you want to be treated, hold yourself to a high standard, and always do the right thing. We believe in shared success - because when our people thrive, our customers do, too.

QCD is the place to be, if you believe in living our values-driven culture - celebrating wins together - learning from challenges - exploring bold ideas - collaborating for shared success - prioritizing people first and giving back to our community.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

We're proud to be an equal opportunity employer. QCD values diverse perspectives and is committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace where every person is supported and empowered to thrive.

Golden State Foods uses artificial intelligence ("AI") and automated tools within our applicant tracking system to assist with parts of the hiring process, including reviewing applications, matching resumes to job requirements, scheduling, and, in some cases, analyzing candidate responses or assessments. These tools evaluate job-related qualifications and characteristics such as skills, experience, education, and alignment with the requirements described in the job posting. They do not evaluate race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

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