Vice President, CDI (Toronto)

CDI is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We welcome applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and all qualified individuals.

If you require an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact us at accessibility@challenger.com and we will work with you to meet your needs.

CDI Company Profile

Canada Drayage Inc. (CDI), part of the Fastfrate Group, is Canada’s leading coast-to-coast drayage provider, supporting the efficient operation of Canada’s ports, rail yards, and distribution centres.

CDI offers a dynamic, fast-paced environment with specialized equipment, diverse freight, and strong opportunities for professional career growth within a critical segment of the supply chain.

For individuals seeking a role where their work delivers immediate and measurable impact, CDI delivers.

Why you’ll love working here

• A workplace where you can learn, grow, and build your career
• A culture that encourages new ideas and continuous improvement
• Supportive leaders who provide guidance while giving you autonomy
• A team-focused environment
• A competitive total-rewards package, including group benefits and a company-sponsored retirement savings plan
• Support for professional memberships, training, and certifications

The Opportunity

This is your chance to join a team where your work truly makes an impact. In this role, you will contribute directly to the success of our customers, our operations, and the Fastfrate Group as a whole. You’ll work in a supportive environment that values collaboration, problem‑solving, and continuous learning.

Role Summary

The Vice President, CDI serves as a key member of the leadership team and plays a critical role in shaping strategy, strengthening execution, and positioning the organization for continued success. This role has a significant influence on CDI’s operational performance, financial outcomes, customer satisfaction, and long‑term growth.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 8:00am–5:00pm

Work Arrangement: On‑site

Position Type: Non‑Union

Employment Status: Permanent

Compensation: $120,000 - $160,000

Work Location & Environment: 9701 Hwy 50, Woodbridge, ON L4H 2G4; Office environment

Key Accountabilities

In this role, you will:

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Develop and execute the operational strategy for CDI in alignment with corporate goals, growth targets, and customer commitments.
• Provide executive oversight of branch operations, ensuring consistency, scalability, and best‑in‑class service delivery.
• Partner with senior leadership to support business expansion, customer acquisition, and long‑term planning initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, enhance margins, and strengthen CDI’s market position.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee regional and branch‑level operations, including dispatch, planning, customer service, and driver management functions.
• Ensure strong operational discipline and accountability across teams, with a focus on service reliability, productivity, and cost control.
• Establish and monitor performance metrics and KPIs related to service levels, on‑time delivery, utilization, and operational efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to optimize processes, systems, and workflows.

Financial Oversight & Business Performance

• Hold full accountability for operational P&L performance, including revenue growth, cost management, and margin optimization.
• Analyze financial results and operational data to identify trends, risks, opportunities, and take corrective action as needed.
• Collaborate closely with Finance to support budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
• Drive initiatives that improve profitability while maintaining service excellence.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of operational leaders, including Branch Managers, dispatch leadership, and support functions.
• Foster a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, and continuous development.
• Support talent planning, recruitment, succession planning, and retention strategies across operations.
• Act as a senior escalation point for complex operational, employee, and customer matters.

Customer & Stakeholder Relations

• Build and maintain strong executive‑level relationships with key customers, partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Support major account strategy, service alignment, and resolution of high‑level escalations.
• Represent CDI in a professional manner in meetings, negotiations, and industry engagements.

Safety, Compliance & Risk Management

• Champion a culture of safety, compliance, and operational integrity across all locations.
• Ensure alignment with company policies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Partner with Safety, Compliance, and HR teams to proactively manage risk and maintain strong operational governance.

Systems & Process Optimization

• Provide executive oversight on the effective use and optimization of operational systems, including Trinium (TMS).
• Support data‑driven decision‑making by ensuring accurate, timely reporting and visibility across operations.
• Sponsor technology and process improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency and customer experience.

Qualifications

We’re looking for someone who brings:

Education & Experience

• Post‑secondary education in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressive experience in the trucking, transportation, or logistics industry.
• Minimum 7–10 years of senior leadership experience managing multi‑site or regional operations.
• Proven experience leading large operational teams and developing leadership talent.

Skills & Attributes

• Strong financial and commercial acumen, with proven experience leading full P&L accountability, managing operational budgets, and making decisions that drive profitability and sustainable growth.
• Demonstrated ability to scale operations, improve margins, and implement performance‑driven strategies that deliver measurable business results.
• Deep operational expertise in transportation and logistics, with strong working knowledge of transportation management systems (Trinium or similar) and data‑driven decision making.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and translate insights into actionable plans.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization and build high‑performing teams.
• Strong business partnership mindset with a collaborative, solutions‑focused approach across operations, finance, safety, and HR.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, compliance, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Strategic problem‑solver with the ability to prioritize effectively, make sound decisions under pressure, and lead through complexity in a fast‑paced environment.
• High level of accountability, ownership, and integrity, with a focus on execution and results.

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