About this role

Department: Supply Chain and Distribution
Employment Type: Full-Time
Requisition ID: 1685

Position Summary:

UFA is looking for a Senior Manager, Logistics Network and Transportation to join our team!

Reporting to the Director, Supply Chain, the Senior Manager, Logistics Network and Transportation is responsible for building and optimizing logistics networks, translating strategic objectives into tactical execution plans, selecting and implementing logistics technologies, driving network design initiatives, and enhancing customer fulfillment capabilities.

As a key member of the Supply Chain leadership team, the Senior Manager drives continuous improvement, digital transformation, and operational excellence across the logistics function. The role is accountable for building scalable logistics capabilities that support growth, improve service performance, optimize costs, enhance resilience, and deliver a superior customer experience across all commercial channels.

This position may be located in in Calgary at the UFA head office or in Nisku at the Distribution Centre.

Key Responsibilities:

Logistics Strategy & Network Design

- Develop, evolve, and execute UFA's enterprise logistics strategy, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives, supply chain priorities, and customer service expectations.

- Design and maintain long-term logistics network roadmaps that support business growth, operational efficiency, service excellence, and risk mitigation.

- Lead the evaluation, design, and optimization of transportation and distribution networks to improve capacity, service levels, asset utilization, and cost-to-serve.

- Translate strategic objectives into actionable initiatives and operational plans that drive measurable business outcomes.

Logistics Technology & Digital Transformation

- Lead the identification, selection, implementation, and optimization of logistics technologies and digital tools that enhance operational performance and customer fulfillment.

- Champion innovation initiatives including Transportation Management Systems (TMS), routing optimization solutions, automation technologies, real-time visibility platforms, advanced analytics, and predictive planning capabilities.

- Ensure logistics systems effectively support route planning, load optimization, freight management, reporting, and network decision-making.

- Foster a culture of innovation that leverages technology to improve efficiency, scalability, and service delivery.

Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement

- Establish and lead a data-driven performance management framework utilizing key performance indicators (KPIs), analytics, and benchmarking.

- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean methodologies, root-cause analysis, process redesign, and best practices to improve productivity and customer outcomes.

- Develop operational readiness plans for seasonal demand fluctuations, promotional activity, emergency response situations, and urgent fulfillment requirements.

- Monitor logistics performance and implement corrective actions to ensure service, cost, and operational targets are consistently achieved.

Transportation & Partner Management

- Develop and execute carrier, freight, and third-party logistics (3PL) strategies that align with organizational goals.

- Lead transportation sourcing activities including partner selection, contract negotiations, service-level agreements, and ongoing relationship management.

- Establish governance processes and performance metrics to evaluate partner effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.

- Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure dependable, scalable, and cost-effective logistics solutions.

Risk Management & Compliance

- Identify and mitigate logistics-related risks associated with transportation capacity, regulatory requirements, market volatility, and network disruptions.

- Ensure compliance with all applicable transportation, safety, customs, import/export, cross-border, and regulatory requirements.

- Develop contingency plans and business continuity strategies that strengthen organizational resilience and service reliability.

- Monitor industry trends and emerging risks to proactively adapt logistics strategies and operations.

Leadership & Strategic Partnership

- Serve as the organization's logistics subject matter expert, providing insight on industry trends, emerging technologies, regulatory developments, and best practices.

- Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Operations, Retail, Commercial, Procurement, and Technology teams to ensure logistics capabilities support enterprise objectives.

- Build and develop a high-performing team culture focused on accountability, innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

- Lead organizational change initiatives related to logistics transformation, process improvements, and technology adoption.

Qualifications:

- A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Engineering, Operations Management, or a related discipline.

- Professional supply chain or logistics certification (SCMP, APICS/ASCM, CSCMP, PMP, Lean Six Sigma) is considered an asset.

- A minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership experience in logistics, transportation, supply chain, or distribution operations.

- Demonstrated success in logistics network design, transportation strategy, customer fulfillment, and operational optimization.

- Experience leading technology implementations such as TMS, routing optimization systems, logistics automation, or analytics platforms.

- Proven experience managing transportation providers, freight carriers, and third-party logistics partners.

- Strong background in change management, continuous improvement, and strategic planning.

- Deep expertise in logistics network design and optimization.

- Strong strategic thinking combined with the ability to translate strategy into operational execution.

- Advanced analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

- Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.

- Excellent leadership, influencing, and stakeholder management abilities.

- Knowledge of transportation regulations, customs requirements, and cross-border logistics.

- Experience with Lean and continuous improvement methodologies.

- Exceptional communication and presentation skills.

- Ability to travel up to 30% of the time.

- Occasional visits to distribution facilities, transportation yards, retail locations, and vendor or partner sites.

You and UFA. Let’s Grow Together.

UFA is one of Canada’s largest and most progressive agricultural co-operatives. We’re a multi-billion-dollar organization that offers the products, services, and support our 127,000+ members need to build, grow and succeed. While our roots will always be in agriculture, we’re proud to support the industries and communities that drive Western Canada’s economy. We need your skills, expertise and ideas to help us keep growing.

- A Business with a Purpose - Join a member-owned co-operative with a mission that matters: improving the well-being of our members, helping them feed the world, and enabling investment in local communities.

- Recognized and Rewarded for Your Performance - At UFA, success is shared. You’ll own your work and be recognized for both individual and organizational results.

- Work-Life Success - We prioritize safety, respect your time, and offer flexible options and comprehensive benefits to support your life inside and outside of work.

- We Help Each Other Grow - Our collaborative culture fosters growth through hands-on experience, mentorship, training, educational support, and diverse career paths.

Diversity Equity, and Belonging

At UFA, we care about our employees and what makes them unique. We strive to create an inclusive environment that welcomes employees from diverse backgrounds, where everyone can do their best work. If you require accommodation during the application or selection process, please contact [email protected] .

Stay Connected

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.