Carrier Manager

Lush North America supports over 262 (and growing!) retail stores in Canada and the USA, a mail order business based in Vancouver, and manufacturing centers in both Vancouver and Toronto.

Lush is known worldwide for our unique bath and beauty products. We pride ourselves on amazing skin and hair care, personalized customer service, environmental activism and a vibrant store atmosphere. Charitable giving is at the heart of our business, and we believe it's our responsibility to advocate for the environment, animals and people in need.

The Carrier Manager plays an essential role in growing talent in our business through collaboration and sharing best practices within the Logistics team. You know how to be curious about their opportunities and how to be real with feedback and support.

We are looking for a dynamic and creative individual who identifies with our values and ethics to join our support team as a Carrier Manager. The role’s primary responsibility is developing and managing Lush’s North American strategic carrier network to ensure reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality transportation services. This role leads carrier sourcing, negotiations, performance management, and commercial relationships, while partnering cross-functionally to ensure transportation capacity and service requirements are aligned with business needs. The Carrier Manager will also lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, creating an environment of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

As a growing business, Lush needs people that can adapt and evolve to the needs of our business. Our Lush staff live with purpose, finding their personal value connection with the values of our business, bringing their work and life paths into one holistic journey. #mylushlife

Reporting to the Head of Product Planning & Logistics, the Carrier Manager undertakes the following RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and mentorship to build team capability and strengthen commercial, analytical, and relationship-management skills.
• Develop and maintain a strategic portfolio of transportation carriers aligned with business requirements, network strategy, and service expectations.
• Lead carrier selection, qualification, onboarding, and ongoing relationship management.
• Own and manage total carrier spend, ensuring transportation costs are effectively managed and aligned with business objectives.
• Lead the development of the annual carrier budget, financial targets, and ongoing forecasts.
• Analyze carrier spend, trends, and variances to identify risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Develop strategic partnerships with key carriers to strengthen collaboration, innovation, and service
• Establish and maintain capacity commitments to ensure sufficient transportation capacity during both normal and peak periods.
• Lead carrier contract negotiations, including commercial terms, service requirements, and performance expectations.
• Negotiate transportation rates and identify opportunities to optimize costs while maintaining service levels.
• Manage commercial issues, disputes, and claims, working collaboratively with carriers and internal stakeholders to achieve timely and appropriate resolution.
• Lead regular carrier performance reviews and develop corrective action plans where performance expectations are not met.
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities within carrier performance and proactively implement improvements.
• Hold carriers accountable to agreed service levels, contractual commitments, and performance standards.
• Partner with Logistics, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Operations, and other stakeholders to understand transportation requirements and develop effective carrier strategies.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that improve transportation efficiency, service, scalability, and resilience.
• Create an inclusive team environment where employees are empowered to take ownership, challenge assumptions, and make decisions.
• Comprehensive working knowledge of carrier management systems, including their integration into overarching business operations to drive process optimization and organizational value.
• Strong understanding of customs protocols, global trade compliance, dangerous goods regulations, and statutory requirements, partnering cross-functionally to ensure full operational adherence.

You bring the following QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• 5+ years of experience in transportation, freight, logistics, procurement, or carrier management.
• 3+ years of experience in a leadership role with a proven track record in training and development of others
• Strong experience managing carrier relationships and negotiating transportation rates and contracts.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable cost savings, service improvements, and operational efficiencies.
• Strong analytical and commercial skills, with the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders and hold strategic partners accountable.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate complex commercial issues.

Preferred:

• Solid understanding of supply chain, logistics, reverse logistics , and INCOTERMS
• A university or college degree in Supply Chain, International Business, or a related field
• Previous experience in the food or cosmetics industry

Thriving with a diverse company culture, celebrating the uniqueness of our staff and committed to inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

We thank all interested applicants; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted.

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time.

Location: 35 Jutland Road, Etobicoke, Ontario, M8Z 2G6

Recruitment Process Overview:

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