Director, Transportation & Network Development

An exceptional leadership opportunity is available for an entrepreneurial transportation executive who can combine operational excellence with commercial growth. Our Niagara Region client is seeking a Director, Transportation & Network Development to strengthen transportation performance and transform the function into a strategic driver of growth and competitive advantage. The business operates in the distribution of time-sensitive, perishable products, serving a diverse customer base through a specialized transportation and logistics network.

The successful leader will bring a strong blend of strategic thinking, hands-on execution, financial acumen, and people leadership. Beyond ensuring reliable day-to-day transportation operations, this individual will identify opportunities to improve fleet and asset utilization, develop backhaul and third-party freight business, establish strategic partnerships, and expand cross-docking and distribution capabilities. This role is ideal for a leader who sees both the operational demands and the commercial potential of a transportation network - and can turn that potential into measurable results.

Opportunity Overview

The Director, Transportation & Network Development will lead the evolution of transportation operations, building the systems, team capabilities, and operating discipline needed to support scalable growth. The mandate combines responsibility for transportation execution, fleet management, service performance, and regulatory compliance with the development of new revenue-generating opportunities. Working across functions and with external partners, this leader will improve network efficiency, strengthen performance management, and develop practical business cases for transportation investment and expansion.

Success will require balancing reliable customer service and disciplined cost management with an entrepreneurial approach to growing the business.

Key Leadership Mandate

• Lead transportation operations, fleet management, and delivery execution, with clear accountability for service, cost, safety, compliance, and performance
• Develop and execute a transportation growth strategy that aligns network expansion, asset investment, and operating capabilities with business priorities
• Identify and develop profitable backhaul, third-party freight, and customer-focused logistics opportunities that improve asset utilization and generate incremental revenue
• Assess and develop cross-docking and distribution capabilities that expand network reach and make better use of existing facilities and transportation assets
• Optimize routing, transportation planning, fleet productivity, and network utilization through analytics, technology, and continuous improvement
• Build and coach a strong transportation team, establishing clear expectations and a culture of engagement, accountability, and service excellence
• Establish meaningful KPIs and regular operating reviews to improve visibility into service performance, asset utilization, costs, and financial results
• Develop strategic partnerships and manage transportation service providers to strengthen capacity, service reliability, and commercial opportunities
• Partner across functions to align transportation capacity and service commitments with customer needs and business growth
• Evaluate capital requirements and present recommendations supported by clear operational and financial business cases

What Success Looks Like

• A more efficient, reliable, and scalable transportation network
• Improved fleet productivity and asset utilization, with fewer empty kilometres
• Profitable growth in backhaul, third-party freight, and other transportation services
• Stronger routing, planning, and cross-docking capabilities that improve service and extend network reach
• Clear visibility into transportation costs, service levels, and financial performance
• An engaged, accountable team with stronger leadership capability and consistent operating practices
• Effective safety, regulatory compliance, and operational controls
• A transportation function that contributes directly to our client’s growth and competitive position

What You Bring

• Minimum 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain, distribution, or network management
• Demonstrated success leading transportation operations while developing capabilities that support business growth
• A track record of improving fleet productivity, optimizing transportation assets, and delivering measurable service and financial improvements
• Experience developing backhaul, third-party freight, strategic partnerships, or other revenue-generating transportation initiatives
• Strong financial and analytical skills, including the ability to assess commercial opportunities, develop business cases, and evaluate capital investments
• Experience using transportation systems, performance data, and continuous improvement methods to strengthen planning and execution
• Proven people leadership, communication, and change management skills, with the ability to build teams and influence across functions
• Experience in perishables, horticulture, agriculture, food distribution, temperature-sensitive supply chains, or cross-border transportation is considered an asset
• A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Transportation, Operations, Business, or a related field

Why This Role Stands Out

This opportunity offers the scope to do more than manage transportation. The successful candidate will help shape how the organization optimized their network, fleet, facilities, and partnerships to serve customers and create new growth opportunities.

For a leader who enjoys building capabilities, developing people, and translating strategy into practical results, this is an opportunity to make a direct and lasting business impact.

Reimer Associates Inc. thanks you for your application and interest in this opportunity. We sincerely appreciate the time you have taken to share your background and experience. Candidates whose qualifications closely align with our client’s requirements will be contacted directly. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to each candidate individually. However, we will retain your resume on file and may reach out should a suitable opportunity arise in the future.