Director of transportation (Bolton)

Organization: The Beer Store and Brewers Distributor Limited

Position Title: Director, Transportation

Reports to: Senior Director, Supply Chain

Location: Bolton, Ontario (minimum 3× per week)

Job Overview

We are searching for a Director, Transportation to lead and transform a critical, enterprise-scale logistics function at The Beer Store and Brewers Distributor Ltd. This high-impact leadership role requires a technically strong, data-driven operator who can modernize fleet, routing, and overall transportation performance—leveraging analytics and technology to unlock meaningful efficiency and service improvements across a complex, high-volume distribution network. Ideal candidates bring deep expertise in transportation operations, a track record of driving measurable optimization, and experience in scaled CPG, food & beverage, or retail environments—along with the ambition to shape the future of a well-established organization undergoing meaningful evolution.

THE COMPANY

Becoming experts on beer doesn’t happen overnight we’ve been in the business since 1927 and today, The Beer Store is the primary distribution and sales channel for beer in Ontario and is owned by 29+ Ontario-based brewers! Through our Retail Stores, Distribution Centres, Draught Services, Customer Experience Centre, and our Corporate Office, we form one large team that is passionate about the beer business. The Beer Store is proud to foster a respectful and inclusive culture that expands and leverages the diverse talents, experiences, and perspectives of our team members to deliver exceptional service for our customers. We continue to be successful by working together, respecting each other, having a positive attitude and by trying new and innovative ideas. Not only are we knowledgeable, passionate, and loyal ambassadors for beer, we’re also health and safety advocates, environmental champions, DEIB enthusiasts and we give proudly back to our communities.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This vacancy is a full‑time, permanent prospect. The Director of Transportation is responsible for developing and leading an integrated transportation function that delivers safe, efficient and cost‑effective service to customers and partners across The Beer Store (TBS) and Brewers Distributor Ltd. (BDL). This role oversees centralized routing, fleet maintenance, third‑party logistics, freight payables and procurement, driving continuous improvement through data, technology, and process excellence. A key focus will be building a culture of excellence, implementing a transportation control tower, and optimizing systems such as Ortec to enhance visibility, efficiency, and accountability across the network.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide strategic leadership for transportation operations across TBS & BDL, ensuring service excellence, safety and cost efficiency.
• Develop and execute long‑term transportation strategies, including capacity planning, fleet optimization and sustainability initiatives.
• Lead and mentor a high‑performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Manage fleet and material handling equipment (MHE), including capital purchases, ROI analysis, vendor negotiations, and lifecycle planning.
• Oversee carrier selection and management for LTL and full truckload freight across multiple provinces, ensuring compliance and performance.
• Drive operational optimization through routing improvements, Lean methodologies, and centralized control tower systems for real‑time visibility.
• Own financial performance for transportation, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost‑reduction initiatives.
• Establish and manage strategic vendor partnerships, negotiating contracts and service‑level agreements to maximize value and reliability.
• Implement performance management frameworks, leveraging KPIs and data analytics to improve delivery, fleet uptime, and cost metrics.
• Champion innovation and technology adoption, piloting automation, digital tools and sustainability programs to future‑prove operations.
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with Finance, Supply Chain, and IT to align transportation strategies with broader business objectives.
• Perform other related duties and projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lead organization growth through strategic planning and operational excellence.
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to interpret and act on operational data.
• Deep understanding of transportation compliance, safety, and maintenance regulations.
• Advanced knowledge of routing optimization, fleet lifecycle management, and logistics cost drivers.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in transportation management systems (Ortec, SAP, Power BI, Excel).
• Collaborative, solutions‑oriented, and comfortable in a fast‑paced environment.
• Proven ability to lead change, deliver process excellence and influence team and stakeholders on a course of action.
• Results‑oriented, metrics‑driven leader with expertise in purchasing, supplier collaboration, development and compliance.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy with strong analytical and vendor negotiation skills.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in transportation or logistics within a large, multi‑site network (ideally beverage, retail, or CPG).
• 5+ years in a senior leadership/management role.
• Experience leading large‑scale fleet and routing operations, including unionized environments.
• Proven success implementing and leveraging transport management system (Ortec preferred).
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage 3 PL partnerships and vendor relationships.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing large operating and capital budgets.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field.
• Professional designation in one or more of the following: CITT, P. Log, Lean Six Sigma, PMP.
• Post‑graduate in Supply Chain, Business or related field would be an asset.