Senior Operations Manager

About the Company

Export Packers Company Limited is a multi-faceted, growth-oriented international food company. Since 1937, this privately owned family company based in Ontario, Canada, has built itself into a global food expert, providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to its industry partners. The company's success is driven by its dedicated employees' professionalism and entrepreneurial spirit. Our Head office is located in Brampton, Ontario.

Role Summary

We are looking for a Senior Operations Manager to oversee logistics within our International Trading Division, which moves commodities such as meat, seafood, fruits, and honey across North America, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Africa. This role is ideal for a seasoned logistics professional with experience leading a team and managing global ocean freight, cold chain logistics, warehousing, inventory, and intermodal transportation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and lead a global, diverse logistics team spanning a variety of products and geographic regions, with a specialized focus on temperature-controlled logistics operations. Key areas of responsibility include ocean freight, over-the-road transportation, cold chain management, warehousing, and inventory management.
• Lead and develop a high-performing global logistics team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide visionary leadership by anticipating future challenges and trends in logistics and aligning strategies to seize opportunities and mitigate risks.
• Act as a change agent, driving continuous improvement initiatives and promoting the adoption of best practices within the logistics team.
• Develop logistics budgets, optimize resource allocation, and monitor costs.
• Initiate, prepare, and manage logistics RFQ and benchmark activities autonomously.
• Coordinate intermodal shipments and container drayage operations at US and Canadian ports.
• Negotiate ocean freight rates with steamship lines to ensure cost-effective shipping solutions.
• Collaborate with 3PL partners in the US and Canada for cold storage solutions and develop pricing agreements.
• Handle marine, warehouse, and transportation claims with vendors to ensure timely resolution.
• Drive strategic supply chain initiatives to enhance performance, reduce costs, and increase agility across logistics operations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and standards for temperature-controlled transportation.
• Develop and establish Logistics KPI, track variances and implement corrective actions to address operational challenges, ensuring frameworks are cost effective and scalable to accommodate future growth.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Skills

• 10+ years of proven experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership role, in temperature-controlled transportation, including ocean freight, cold chain management, warehousing, inventory management, intermodal and container drayage operations.
• Degree or diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Advanced degree in supply chain is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate diverse, cross-functional teams in a global environment.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong working knowledge of ocean freight bookings and negotiations with steamship lines.
• Proven ability to develop pricing agreements, manage vendor relationships, and drive value-based partnerships.
• Track record of successfully driving change management initiatives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced transformative environment and motivate teams to adapt to new processes and technologies.
• Experience working with 3PL partners in cold storage in the US and Canada.
• Experience in handling marine, warehouse, and transportation claims.
• Proficiency in MS Dynamics 365 and any TMS is preferred along with advanced skills in MS Office Suites (Excel & Power Point).
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Industry certifications such as CSCP, CPIM from ASCM/APICS or CITT are an asset.

Benefits

• Hybrid- 1 day work from home per week
• Summer hours (half day off every Friday between Victoria Day weekend and Labor Day weekend)
• Competitive vacation and Personal day policy
• Employee Discounts on the consumables
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company Paid Benefits
• RRSP Match Program

The annual base salary for this role is expected to fall between $110,000 and $130,000.

This is an existing vacancy.

Export Packers is an equal opportunity employer committed to promoting diversity of thought, ideas, perspective and people. We create an inclusive environment that attracts, retains and values people of all backgrounds by treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence through inclusion, integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of those who interact with Export Packers in accordance with Federal and provincial laws.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, Export Packers has an Accommodation Policy as part of our hiring process. Should you require accommodation, please advise the People & Culture Department.

Please note: A criminal background check is required for all candidates and will be conducted in the final stages of the hiring process. This will be facilitated by our team, with full details provided during the selection process.