Export Operations Manager

The Export Operations Manager will lead all transportation, freight, and logistics operations across our client’s product supply chain — from raw material procurement through export delivery to international markets. Prior experience in food manufacturing is required. This role requires hands-on management of complex, multimodal freight movements, with a particular focus on ocean and rail logistics. The ideal candidate is a dynamic supply chain professional, passionate about global trade, with proven experience negotiating and executing freight agreements, and capable of optimizing logistics operations to deliver cost efficiency and service excellence. The Details: On-site-Etobicoke Excellent 6-figure compensation Benefits from day 1 3 Weeks' holidays Lucrative Bonus Plan Key Responsibilities 1. Freight Strategy & Operations Develop and execute an integrated freight strategy for rail and ocean movements of pulses and raw materials from origination to international destinations. Establish and manage a centralized freight desk overseeing bookings, rate negotiations, carrier performance, and documentation across all shipping lanes. Optimize container utilization, vessel scheduling, and inland logistics in coordination with Trading, Operations, and Plant teams. Oversee all export documentation (B/L, SI, certificates of origin, etc.), ensuring compliance with international trade regulations. 2. Vendor & Carrier Management Negotiate competitive freight contracts with rail operators (CP Rail, CN Rail), shipping lines, freight forwarders, and trucking companies. Build and maintain long-term partnerships with global and regional carriers. Monitor service levels, resolve disputes, and track performance metrics against KPIs (transit times, demurrage/detention, rate benchmarks). Travel to Saskatchewan (Regina/Calgary) every two months, more frequently at the start, to meet with rail partners. 3. Cost Optimization & Analytics Analyze freight rates, market trends, and seasonal capacity shifts to identify cost-saving opportunities. Develop freight budgets, forecasting tools, and performance dashboards for leadership reporting. Implement freight audit processes and controls to ensure accurate invoicing and cost management. 4. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Procurement, Trading, Plant Operations, and Finance teams to align logistics decisions with commercial objectives. Support export execution teams with timely freight allocation and documentation flow. Serve as the internal subject matter expert for freight markets, advising business leaders on logistics implications of trade decisions. 5. Continuous Improvement & Team Leadership Design SOPs and standardized workflows for freight management. Mentor and develop logistics coordinators and freight desk staff. Lead initiatives to digitize and streamline logistics processes, including tracking systems and rate databases. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, International Trade, or related field. Minimum 7+ years of logistics and freight experience, preferably in food manufacturing, grain, or pulses export. Demonstrated ocean and rail freight negotiation and execution experience . Strong understanding of INCOTERMS, export documentation, and international shipping regulations. Proven ability to establish freight systems, contracts, and analytics frameworks. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills. Proficiency in MS Excel, ERP/logistics software, and transport management systems. Key Competencies Strategic Negotiation & Commercial Acumen Analytical & Data-Driven Decision Making Process Design & Freight Desk Setup Relationship Management & Vendor Development