Senior Director, Transportation, Logistics

Senior Director, Transportation, Logistics & Customs Richelieu Hardware is a North American leader and a change agent in a creative and dynamic industry. We are an importer, distributor, and manufacturer of specialty hardware and complementary products. Our customers000 manufacturers of kitchen and bathroom cabinets, storage and closets, residential and office furniture, as well as hardware retailers such as large renovation centers. With a team of 3,000 people—nearly half in sales and marketing—Richelieu is a publicly traded company with 50 years of continuous growth. Overview The Senior Director, Transportation, Logistics & Customs reports to the Vice President, Supply Chain and is accountable for ensuring the cost‑effective, timely, safe, and compliant movement of goods across Richelieu’s network—from suppliers to distribution centers and customers—through optimized freight, logistics, fleet, and cross‑border operations. Responsibilities Transportation & Logistics Strategy and Execution Define and execute Richelieu’s end‑to‑end transportation and logistics strategy across inbound, outbound, and inter‑DC flows. Lead freight planning and optimization activities, including route design, shipment consolidation, mode mix optimization, and delivery scheduling to balance service and cost. Oversee day‑to‑day inbound and outbound logistics execution, ensuring alignment with DC operations and customer requirements. Establish service level agreements (SLAs), operating standards, and performance expectations with transportation partners. Carrier Management & Freight Cost Control Select, negotiate, and manage relationships with common carriers, logistics providers, and freight brokers. Own transportation spend visibility, freight audit processes, and cost control initiatives. Drive year‑over‑year productivity improvements through contract optimization, network efficiency, and continuous improvement initiatives. Transportation Management Systems & Analytics Own the effective use and evolution of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) to enable shipment planning, tracking, exception management, freight audit, and analytics. Define and monitor KPIs related to cost, service, safety, and compliance. Leverage data and insights to support fact‑based decisions and performance transparency. Private Fleet Management & Safety Lead Richelieu’s owned fleet strategy and operations, including fleet sizing, asset lifecycle management, maintenance, utilization, and cost performance. Establish and enforce transportation safety programs, driver standards, and regulatory compliance (e.g., DOT, CVOR). Ensure fleet operations meet or exceed safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Direct Delivery & Last‑Mile Operations Own selected direct delivery operations, ensuring reliable, customer‑focused execution for specialized and high‑touch deliveries. Partner with Distribution Operations and Sales to align delivery capabilities with customer expectations and service commitments. Drive continuous improvement in on‑time delivery, damage reduction, and customer experience. Customs, Cross‑Border & Trade Compliance Lead Richelieu’s customs and trade compliance organization, ensuring accurate documentation, regulatory adherence, and audit readiness. Manage cross‑border and international logistics flows, including lead times, Incoterms, vendor compliance, and customs broker coordination. Oversee tariff classification, duty optimization, free trade agreement utilization, and risk mitigation. Serve as the executive point of accountability for customs authorities and external brokers. Leadership, Governance & Continuous Improvement Build, lead, and develop a high‑performing team across transportation, logistics, fleet operations, and customs. Establish clear governance, operating rhythms, and accountability across all transportation and logistics activities. Promote a culture of safety, discipline, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Act as a key contributor to broader supply chain transformation initiatives. Qualifications 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in transportation, logistics, fleet operations, and/or customs within a large, complex distribution, manufacturing, or multi‑site supply chain environment. Demonstrated accountability for end‑to‑end transportation networks across North America, including inbound, outbound, inter‑DC, and customer delivery flows. Proven experience leading private fleet operations, including fleet sizing, asset lifecycle management, driver safety, regulatory compliance (e.g., DOT, CVOR), and cost performance. Demonstrated experience leading customer‑facing, last‑mile and direct delivery operations, including high‑touch or specialized delivery models (e.g., panels, oversized or fragile products). Strong track record of freight cost management and productivity improvement through carrier negotiations, mode optimization, network design, and transportation spend governance. Solid expertise in cross‑border logistics and customs compliance, particularly Canada–U.S. trade flows. Experience leading multi‑disciplinary teams and operating effectively at a senior leadership level. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, Business, or a related field required. Fluent in both English and French (oral and written), with the ability to lead teams, conduct negotiations, and manage regulatory interactions in a bilingual environment. The Ideal Candidate Is a Person Who… Customer‑driven, execution‑focused mindset Strong financial and analytical acumen Data‑based decision making High standards for safety, compliance, and operational discipline Collaborative, credible leader with change leadership capability What We Offer Canadian flagship status with strong recognition in Quebec and across Canada and the United States Mature and stable company with more than 50 years of experience, providing a safe working environment Continuous growth and ongoing opportunities for advancement Competitive base compensation aligned with market standards Opportunity to become a shareholder through employee ownership programs Work‑life balance and a flexible work environment Commitment to quality products that satisfy demanding customers Encouragement of career development and continuing education Application Are you interested in this position? We invite you to visit our corporate website at to submit your application. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, we will only communicate with candidates selected for the pre‑selection process. #J-18808-Ljbffr