Sr Director - Transportation & Logistics

Posted 18 days ago

grocery outletEmeryville (CA)

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers General Freight Trucking, Local

SENIORITY

Manager

SALARY

$180,000 - $200,000 Annually

Apply

About the role

About Grocery Outlet: Our Mission: Touching lives for the better

Our Vision: Touching lives by being the first choice for bargain-minded consumers in the U.S.Our Values & Behaviors: Achievement, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Family, Fun, Integrity & Service

About the Team: Our Supply Chain team is responsible for ensuring the right product is in the right place at the right time—supporting our stores, our operators, and ultimately our customers. The team operates in a fast-paced, highly dynamic environment driven by Grocery Outlet's opportunistic buying model. We are builders, problem solvers, and business partners who thrive on complexity and are committed to enabling speed, flexibility, and execution across the network.

About the Role: As the Sr. Director of Transportation & Logistics, you will lead Grocery Outlet's inbound and outbound freight network—owning carrier relationships, transportation execution, cost management, and the systems and processes that move product from suppliers to distribution centers to stores. You will play a critical role in ensuring our supply chain can absorb the variable and opportunistic nature of our buying model while delivering consistent, cost-effective service. This is a high-impact leadership role where you will drive strategy, manage a dynamic carrier network, and build a best-in-class transportation function that scales with Grocery Outlet's growth. You will operate at the intersection of execution and continuous improvement—managing day-to-day performance while developing the capabilities, tools, and talent needed for the long term. The Sr. Director, Transportation & Logistics reports to the Chief Supply Chain Officer.

Responsibilities Include:

Transportation Strategy & ManagementOwn and evolve Grocery Outlet's transportation network strategy, including carrier mix, modal optimization, and lane design for both inbound and outbound freight
Lead the carrier procurement and RFP process, managing a diversified portfolio of truckload, LTL, and specialized carriers aligned to service and cost objectives
Establish and manage freight cost targets, rate benchmarks, and fuel surcharge frameworks; ensure contractual compliance and performance accountability
Drive continuous network optimization—evaluating routing, load efficiency, and mode selection to reduce cost per case and improve service reliability
Transportation Execution & Performance Management
Lead daily transportation execution, ensuring on-time pickup and delivery performance across inbound and outbound lanes
Maintain a rigorous KPI framework covering on-time performance, cost per mile/case, tender acceptance, carrier scorecard compliance, and claims management
Partner with Distribution Center operations to align inbound scheduling, dock capacity, and carrier performance with DC throughput goals
Oversee the implementation and utilization of transportation management and visibility platforms to drive real-time execution and proactive exception management
Manage carrier escalations, service failures, and claims resolution with urgency and accountability
First Mile Supplier Performance ManagementOwn the First Mile Operations to ensure supplier pickup scheduling, routing guides, and compliance expectations with inbound flow requirements
Develop and enforce supplier transportation compliance standards, including routing guide adherence, lead time expectations, and shipment accuracy
Drive improvement in collect freight execution, including carrier assignment, load tendering, and pickup compliance from vendor locations
Support the broader First Mile Perfect Flow initiative by owning the PO lifecycle from supplier to DC receipt
Cost Management and Financial Accountability
Own the transportation expense budget, delivering accurate forecasts and variance analysis with clear rate vs. volume decomposition
Partner with Finance to align transportation costs with P&L targets; provide executive-ready reporting on freight cost trends, risks, and opportunities
Identify and execute cost reduction initiatives—including backhaul programs, load consolidation, and carrier optimization—while protecting service levels
Monitor and manage fuel surcharge exposure, accessorial costs, and contract compliance to minimize unplanned freight spend
Team Leadership & Culture
Build and lead a high-performing team grounded in ownership, accountability, and a bias for action
Establish clear expectations and a strong feedback culture; address performance gaps with urgency
Hire, develop, and retain top talent while building scalable capabilities and career paths
Problem Solving & Analytical RigorDrive a data-first problem-solving culture, requiring clear problem definition and quantified impact
Lead root cause analysis on inventory performance gaps using structured methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Pareto)
Translate complex inventory challenges into clear, concise, data-driven narratives to support decision-making
Champion continuous improvement by challenging assumptions and identifying better ways to plan and manage inventory
Cross-Functional Partnership
Collaborate with Merchandising, Store Operations, and Distribution to align transportation strategy with business priorities
Represent the transportation function in senior leadership forums, clearly communicating inventory position, risks, and opportunities
Serve as the primary partner to Purchasing on all First Mile related topics, building strong relationships with Buying leadership
Partner with Finance to align financial goals and guardrails
About The Pay: Base Salary Range: $180,000 - $200,000 Annually
Annual Bonus Program
Equity 401(k) Profit Sharing
Medical, Dental, Vision & More!
Final compensation will be determined based upon experience and skills and may vary based on location

About You:

10+ years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics or supply chain operations within retail grocery or a similar model
Ability to thrive in a fast paced, start-up like environment
Deep expertise in freight procurement, carrier management, TL/LTL operations, and transportation cost modeling
Experience in opportunistic, off-price, or highly variable merchandise environments strongly preferred
Proven ability to build, lead, and hold high-performing teams accountable
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights
Demonstrated strength in root cause problem solving and structured thinking
Clear and effective communicator with the ability to create executive-ready materials and drive alignment
Strong understanding of retail financial metrics (DOS, OTB, margin, shrink, aged inventory) and their impact on P&LExperience with TMS, routing and optimization, and visibility systems, with the ability to influence technology strategy
Strong executive presence and ability to partner effectively with senior leadership
Highly organized, process-oriented, and able to operate with urgency in a fast-paced environment
Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred

To learn about how we collect, use and secure your personal information. Click here to see our privacy policy.

Job Summary

Requisition Number: SRDIR003294Job Category: Logistics \& Distribution

Schedule: Full-Time

Before you apply

Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.

Your profile is current

It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.

Two examples you can talk through

Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.

A number in mind

What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.

Your notice period

Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.

Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.