Pet Food Experts | Vice President of TransportationLocation: Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Travel: Up to 50%
We're looking for a
Vice President of Transportation to lead the strategy, performance, and continued evolution of our national transportation network. This leader will oversee our private fleet, routing and dispatch operations, and third-party carrier partnerships while driving improvements in efficiency, safety, cost, and customer service.
This is an opportunity for an experienced, hands-on transportation leader who knows how to turn strategy into execution. We're looking for someone who can challenge existing processes, optimize complex delivery networks, and develop a strong team of transportation professionals.
The right leader will bring both the technical expertise to drive meaningful operational improvements and the people-first leadership style to build engagement, accountability, and long-term success.
What You'll DoAs the Vice President of Transportation, you will lead transportation operations across our distribution network, balancing service excellence, operational efficiency, financial performance, and safety. You will:
- Develop and execute a national transportation strategy aligned with business growth, customer service, and financial objectives.
- Lead and optimize multi-site private fleet operations, including transportation managers, dispatch teams, drivers, and fleet resources.
- Own route planning, optimization, and network design, identifying opportunities to improve delivery efficiency, reduce miles and costs, and maximize fleet utilization.
- Evaluate and improve daily routing and dispatch processes, creating greater consistency, efficiency, and accountability across locations.
- Oversee transportation budgets, financial performance, and key operational metrics, driving measurable improvements in cost per stop, cost per mile, and overall service levels.
- Manage fleet strategy, equipment utilization, and capital planning to support operational needs and future growth.
- Evaluate and manage third-party transportation partnerships, including LTL, truckload, final-mile, and inter-DC shuttle services.
- Ensure compliance with DOT/FMCSA regulations, safety standards, and applicable food safety and temperature-controlled transportation requirements.
- Build, coach, and develop transportation leaders, strengthening team capabilities, succession planning, and employee retention.
- Leverage transportation technology, routing systems, and performance data to identify trends, improve decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
- Partner with Distribution Operations, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, HR, and other teams to improve execution and the overall customer experience.
- Lead transportation improvement initiatives, standardize best practices, and support the continued growth and evolution of the PFX network.
How You LeadThis role requires more than transportation expertise. We're looking for a leader who:
- Is equally comfortable developing long-term strategy and getting into the details of daily transportation operations.
- Brings deep expertise in route optimization and knows how to lead complex network changes from analysis through execution.
- Is passionate about developing people, building strong leadership teams, and helping others reach their potential.
- Creates a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement.
- Challenges the status quo, identifies opportunities for improvement, and brings practical solutions to complex operational challenges.
- Uses data to guide decisions while understanding the real-world impact on drivers, customers, and operations.
- Communicates effectively across all levels of the organization and builds strong cross-functional relationships.
- Leads change with confidence, humility, and a willingness to listen, learn, and adapt.
What You Bring- 10+ years of progressive transportation or logistics leadership experience, including at least 5 years leading multi-site private fleet operations.
- 5+ years of transportation P&L or budget ownership, with demonstrated success reducing costs and improving service performance.
- Proven experience leading route optimization, network redesign, and transportation efficiency initiatives.
- Strong knowledge of DOT/FMCSA regulations, transportation safety programs, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience managing third-party transportation providers, carrier relationships, and freight costs.
- Demonstrated success developing transportation leaders and managing geographically dispersed teams.
- Strong financial and analytical capabilities, with experience using transportation metrics to drive operational decisions.
- Proficiency with transportation management systems, routing and optimization technology, telematics, and related data tools.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, problem-solving, and change-management skills.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications- Experience in food, grocery, foodservice, pet products, or similar wholesale distribution environments.
- Experience with temperature-controlled transportation, including refrigerated and frozen distribution.
- MBA or other relevant advanced degree.
Additional Expectations- Ability to travel up to 50% to support transportation operations across the PFX network.
- Flexibility to respond to critical operational needs outside standard business hours when necessary.
Benefits & Perks of Being Part of the PFX Pack- Competitive Compensation
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Retirement Savings with Employer Match
- Flexible Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Pet Perks & Product Discounts
- Additional Voluntary Benefits
