Sr Director - Transportation & Logistics

Sr Director - Transportation & Logistics
Job Category: Logistics & Distribution

Requisition Number: SRDIR003294

Posted : May 29, 2026

Full-Time

Locations
Emeryville, CA 94608, USA

Description
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.

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:

Own 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

Own 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

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 Rigor

Drive 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

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&L

Experience 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

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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