Our client is a well-established international logistics and supply chain provider with decades of experience delivering ocean freight, air freight, customs, warehousing, and end-to-end transportation solutions. With a strong global network and a collaborative team culture, they are recognized for providing reliable, customer-focused logistics services to clients across a wide range of industries. They are seeking an experienced commercial leader to help scaling their North American logistics division. Reporting directly to the President, North America, this executive role offers the opportunity to define the company's commercial strategy and drive its growth across Canada and the United States.
The business currently operates across freight forwarding, customs brokerage, warehousing, procurement, and last-mile delivery through established teams in both countries. The successful candidate will unify these operations under a cohesive commercial strategy, creating an integrated service offering that supports long-term growth and profitability. This is a true build-and-lead opportunity. You will develop and execute the company's multi-year commercial strategy, optimize its logistics network and physical footprint, and build the organizational structure, processes, and leadership team required to support future expansion.
With full ownership of strategy and execution, this role is ideal for a senior executive who thrives on building businesses, leading transformation, and delivering sustainable commercial growth.
Please note: The preferred location for this role is Vancouver, BC; however, our client will also consider qualified candidates located elsewhere in Canada or throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Responsibilities:
- Lead the commercial and operational performance of our client's North American business, including last-mile delivery, warehousing, customs brokerage, procurement, and freight forwarding.
- Establish clear business line accountability and P&L visibility across all operations to support strategic decisions on investment, integration, and portfolio optimization.
- Set revenue and gross profit targets, implementing the plans, processes, and accountability required to achieve them.
- Design and build the organizational structure needed to execute the strategy, aligning Canadian and U.S. operations under clear accountability and shared objectives.
- Develop and execute a five-year strategy for the company's logistics footprint, determining the optimal mix of leased, owned, rented, or partner-operated facilities.
- Evaluate existing systems, including CargoWise, and recommend technology improvements to support scalability and operational performance.
- Drive the adoption of AI-enabled tools and modern technologies to improve efficiency, reporting, and decision-making.
- Manage the commercial relationship with the company's Asia-based logistics office, strengthening the independence and transparency of North American operations.
- Identify and evaluate opportunities to take commercial cargo positions where supported by the company's network, applying disciplined risk assessment and capital allocation.
- Serve as the senior leader for the North American business, providing strategic direction, performance oversight, and regular reporting to executive leadership.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, International Trade, or a related field; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
- Senior leadership experience in logistics, freight forwarding, or related transportation businesses across multiple service lines.
- Proven ability to develop and execute commercial strategy in fragmented or high-growth environments.
- Experience with P&L ownership, capital allocation, and commercial risk management.
- Experience evaluating logistics footprint decisions (lease, own, or partner) is an asset.
- Familiarity with CargoWise or similar logistics platforms is beneficial.
- Strong understanding of freight forwarding and international logistics operations.
- Working knowledge of Canada–U.S. trade compliance and cross-border requirements.
- Builder mindset with the ability to create structure, processes, and accountability.
- Strong commercial judgment combined with a results-oriented leadership style.
- Hands-on, independent operator who takes ownership and drives execution.
- Comfortable leveraging AI and modern digital tools to improve efficiency and decision-making.
- Confident communicator capable of engaging stakeholders across functions, geographies, and seniority levels.
Compensation:
- $180,000-230,000 annual base salary
- Performance bonus
- Paid Time Off
- Extended health benefits
- $3,000 annual Health Spending Account, with the option to allocate funds toward an RRSP contribution.
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