Procurement Logistics Specialist

Summary

The Carrier Sourcing Specialist is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing contracts with trucking carriers and transportation service providers across Canada and cross‑border lanes. This role plays a critical part in controlling transportation spend, ensuring carrier capacity, and maintaining service quality while complying with Canadian regulatory requirements.

Working closely with Logistics, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations teams, the incumbent leads carrier sourcing initiatives, conducts RFQs and rate benchmarking, and builds long‑term carrier partnerships that support business growth and service reliability.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Source, evaluate, and onboard trucking carriers for domestic and cross‑border transportation requirements (TL, LTL, intermodal, and specialty services)
• Lead rate negotiations with carriers to secure competitive pricing while ensuring service quality and capacity
• Plan and execute RFQs/RFPs, lane bidding events, and benchmarking activities based on Canadian transportation market conditions
• Analyze freight spend, lane performance, and market trends to identify cost‑reduction and optimization opportunities
• Negotiate, prepare, and manage carrier contracts, including pricing schedules, service levels, and contract renewals
• Maintain accurate contract records and ensure adherence to agreed commercial terms
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with assigned carriers to support reliable service and long‑term partnerships
• Monitor carrier performance against service level agreements and key performance indicators, escalating issues as required
• Resolve rate disputes, invoicing discrepancies, and service‑related concerns in collaboration with internal teams and carriers
• Ensure carriers comply with Canadian regulatory requirements, including safety standards, insurance coverage, and applicable federal and provincial regulations
• Support cross‑border compliance requirements for U.S.–Canada shipments, where applicable
• Collaborate with Logistics, Transportation Operations, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to align procurement strategies with operational needs
• Provide input into transportation budgets, forecasts, and cost reporting
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives related to transportation sourcing, carrier performance, and cost management

Requirements

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to generate error-free reports, charts and graphs and write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of relevant industry trends including carrier rate actions, general rate increases (GRIs), and fuels which influence rates. Ability to analyze and integrate Ground & Rail carrier supply and demand, competitor actions, and other capacity related factors into rate decisions.
• Strong financial analytical skills with experience in performing quantitative statistical analysis, simulation models, and mathematical models. Proficient in the use of analytical techniques such as statistical probability distribution, correlation, data sampling and relating sets of numbers.
• Advanced proficiency in web-based and specific job-related software applications.
• Advance proficiency in MS Excel (Index/Match/Lookup, IF, Goal Seek, Macros, Arrays)
• Capable of communicating and interacting effectively with multi-functional and diverse backgrounds and ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management, employees, customers and vendors. Ability to lead, mentor and coach other analysts and specialists in the department.
• Demonstrated positive, competitive, confident personality with strongly developed persuasive skills and a customer-focused orientation. Demonstrated skill in effective negotiations.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment to achieve results, or work independently with little or no supervision. Effective planning and organizational skills to schedule appointments appropriately and to meet reporting deadlines. Effective follow-up skills.
• Must be adaptable to changing needs of client(s) and goals of Company.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English fluently.

Minimum

• Post‑secondary education in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.
• 3–6 years of experience in transportation procurement, logistics procurement, or carrier management.
• Proven experience negotiating trucking rates and managing carrier contracts.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret freight data and market trends.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and transportation cost analysis tools.
• Experience working with TMS or ERP systems is an asset.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building abilities
• Cost‑conscious and commercially minded
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously
• Confident communicator with internal and external stakeholders

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain or other related discipline or equivalent combination of work experience and education, and/or completion of the LDP Program.
• Minimum 4 years industry experience in procurement or sourcing of transport, logistics or supply chain management.
• Professional designation such as SCMP, PMAC/SCMA, or equivalent is considered an asset.
• Experience with domestic Canadian transportation markets and/or cross‑border freight.
• Knowledge of trucking capacity trends, fuel surcharge structures, and lane pricing dynamics.