Director, Transportation & Decision Support

About the Team

The Supply Chain team focuses on keeping things moving across all aspects of our business. They make an impact by ensuring our products get from the vendors to the DCs to the stores in the most efficient and timely way. Their goal is to improve each step within the process, so we have the right product at the right place at the right time for our pet parents.

Collaborative Work Environment

At Pet Smart, teamwork and connection are core to how we thrive. This role is based at our Phoenix Home Office, with an expectation of working a minimum of four days in the office each week. In a standard work week, associates may work up to one remote “flex day” (with leader approval). Our hybrid approach is designed to foster strong collaboration while also supporting flexibility and individual success.

Job Summary /

Purpose:

This role is responsible for leading the development, maintenance, and refinement of transportation financial plans, forecasts, and sophisticated decision support models, with a major focus on transportation costs and service optimization. The position requires a deep understanding of planning practices, financial acumen, and analytical skills to influence cross-functional partners and drive the achievement of financial objectives. This individual will lead a team to provide actionable insights, manage transportation financials, and model the network to optimize transportation costs.

• Transportation Delivery Modeling: Direct the development and application of modeling tools to design optimal outbound transportation networks, incorporating cost, service, and capacity considerations. Oversee the creation of robust baseline and scenario-based cost models for proposed routing changes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and securing buy-in from senior Supply Chain leadership and Finance.
• Transportation Performance Reporting/Analytics and Insights: Establish and oversee a comprehensive transportation performance reporting and analytics framework. Lead the analysis of actual performance against targets, identify key variances, and provide strategic guidance for improvement initiatives. Ensure clear communication of performance expectations and insights to key partners. Drive the development of streamlined, actionable dashboards and analytics to provide comprehensive Supply Chain performance visibility and strategic recommendations to achieve financial goals.
• Supply Chain Decision Support: Model cost and service changes resulting from supply chain changes (e.g., DC changes, automation), collaborate with engineering and distribution to determine distribution cost changes, and validate expected changes in transportation costs, inventory, sales, and margin. Develop business cases and drive post-implementation actual vs. expected reporting.

• Transportation Budget Leadership and Cost Management: Spearhead the development and oversight of the annual transportation budget and cost structure, ensuring alignment of performance goals with financial plans. Direct the modeling of the financial impact of key transportation cost drivers (e.g., fuel, labor market trends, provider rate negotiations), working in close partnership with Finance. Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to drive strategic, data-backed decisions that directly support the delivery of P&L targets.
• Transportation Financial Planning and Forecasting: Partner with Finance and leadership to set yearly and monthly financial targets aligned with strategic initiatives/projects, macroeconomic trends, and enterprise direction.

• Strategic
  
  Collaboration:
  
  Ensure end-to-end visibility by communicating risks and opportunities to key stakeholders in Procurement, Distribution, Store Operations, MP&A, and others, and recommending strategies that support overall financial objectives.

• Process Optimization Improvement: Lead the identification, development, and implementation of tools, processes, and technologies to drive continuous cost savings and efficiency improvements within the transportation network. Foster a culture of innovation and best practice adoption across the transportation function.

• Leadership and Team Development: Build and lead a high-performing team, including selecting, training, coaching, and developing associates. Enhance team functions and processes to improve accuracy and impact. Manage a team of 4-6 analysts providing mentorship, guidance, and professional development opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably with a Supply Chain, Finance, or Analytics focus.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in Supply Chain, Finance, Analytics or related field.
• Demonstrated ability in utilizing analytical and problem-solving skills (i.e. critical and evaluative thinking) required.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal required.
• Ability to influence decisions by creating a compelling case for action, leveraging data and actionable…