Vice President of Transportation

Pet Food Experts,LLC•Pawtucket, RI

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Pet Food Experts is seeking a Vice President of Transportation to lead the strategy, performance, and development of its national transportation network. The role oversees private fleet operations, routing and dispatch, and third-party carrier partnerships, with a focus on efficiency, safety, cost, and customer service. The leader will balance strategic planning with hands-on operational execution, improve complex delivery networks, and develop a strong transportation team. The Vice President leads transportation operations across the distribution network and partners with Distribution Operations, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, HR, and other teams. The position is based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, involves travel up to 50%, and may require responding to critical operational needs outside standard business hours. A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a related field is required, though equivalent education and experience may be considered.

Requirements

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, including experience using transportation metrics to guide 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.
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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
Lead route planning, optimization, and network design to improve delivery efficiency, reduce miles and costs, and maximize fleet utilization.
Evaluate and improve daily routing and dispatch processes across locations.
Oversee transportation budgets, financial performance, and operational metrics, improving cost per stop, cost per mile, and service levels.
Manage fleet strategy, equipment utilization, and capital planning.
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.
Use transportation technology, routing systems, and performance data to identify trends, improve decisions, and drive continuous improvement.
Partner with Distribution Operations, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, HR, and other teams to improve execution and customer experience.
Lead transportation improvement initiatives, standardize best practices, and support the growth and evolution of the PFX network.