Job Description

Director of Logistics & Transportation (Cold Chain & Food Operations)

Location: Bronx, NY

Employment Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Position Summary

The Director of Logistics & Transportation is responsible for end-to-end logistics, transportation, and inventory operations within a high-volume food production and distribution environment. This role owns cold-chain transportation across last-mile and multi-stop delivery networks while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and system-driven visibility.

The position leads routing and dispatch, fleet and refrigerated vehicle performance, DOT/FMCSA compliance, food safety in transportation, and ERP or logistics systems implementation. The ideal candidate brings a strong hospitality or food distribution background, hands-on systems experience, and proven leadership of drivers, dispatch, and logistics operations.

Core Outcomes (What Success Looks Like)

• On-time departure and on-time delivery performance improves and remains stable

• Route efficiency improves (cost per mile, cost per stop, stops per hour)

• Cold-chain integrity is maintained with complete temperature compliance and documentation

• DOT/FMCSA audits are passed with clean driver, vehicle, and maintenance records

• Fleet uptime improves; preventable breakdowns and road calls decline

• Logistics cost control, inventory accuracy, and waste reduction improve through system-driven execution

Key Responsibilities

1. Logistics & Transportation Operations

• Oversee daily logistics operations supporting food production and distribution, including receiving, staging, routing, and outbound delivery

• Manage last-mile and multi-stop delivery operations with a focus on cold-chain integrity and service reliability

• Balance service windows, capacity, staffing, and temperature constraints across multiple facilities

2. Routing, Dispatch & Daily Execution

• Build and execute daily and weekly route plans aligned with production schedules and delivery requirements

• Lead dispatch operations including cutoffs, load sequencing, departure discipline, and exception management

• Monitor route performance and implement corrective actions using operational data

3. Fleet Ownership (Refrigerated Vehicles & Assets)

• Own fleet readiness including inspections, preventive maintenance, refrigerated unit performance, and breakdown response

• Establish standards for vehicle sanitation, temperature performance, and pre-trip/post-trip routines

• Manage fleet vendors (leasing, maintenance, telematics, refrigeration service) and enforce uptime and service-level expectations

4. ERP & Systems Implementation

• Lead the implementation and optimization of ERP, logistics, or inventory management systems

• Translate operational workflows into system configurations that support logistics, transportation, and inventory visibility

• Serve as internal system owner and ensure adoption through training and documentation

5. DOT/FMCSA & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with DOT/FMCSA requirements, including driver qualification files, hours-of-service practices, safety standards, and maintenance documentation

• Lead safety training, corrective actions, and audit readiness efforts

• Maintain organized and accurate compliance records

6. Food Safety & Cold-Chain Compliance

• Implement and audit food transportation procedures aligned with FSMA Sanitary Transportation requirements

• Ensure temperature monitoring, corrective actions, and recordkeeping are consistently executed

• Maintain sanitation and cargo compatibility standards for all vehicles

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across routing, systems, compliance, and cost control

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Operations, Business, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

• 7+ years of progressive experience in logistics or transportation leadership

• Experience in food distribution, hospitality, or cold-chain environments

• Demonstrated leadership of drivers, dispatch, and logistics teams

• Hands-on experience implementing ERP, logistics, or inventory systems

• Strong working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA compliance and cold-chain food transportation

• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills

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