Vice-President, Operations and Supply Chain

Detailed Job Description

WHERE YOUR CAREER MEETS CANADA’S FUTURE.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority ("VFPA" or "Port of Vancouver") is a federally established Canada Port Authority responsible for the stewardship of the federal lands and waters that constitute the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest port. Operating under the Canada Marine Act, VFPA’s mandate is to responsibly facilitate Canada’s trade, ensuring safe movement of goods while protecting the environment and considering local communities.

• The Port of Vancouver is a critical entity for western provinces and the success of all their largest export‑oriented sectors. The Port is also a key conduit for imports and exports, contributing significantly to the Canadian economy and one of the largest of its kind globally.
• VFPA manages a diversified trade gateway, handling 158 million tonnes of cargo in 2024 (up 5% from 2023) including bulk, breakbulk, containerised cargo, vehicles, and cruise passengers.
• The Port comprises 29 terminals serving key Canadian economic sectors—bulk, breakbulk, containers, auto, and cruise handling goods from coal, grain, minerals, forest products, manufactured goods, and vehicles.
• Facilitates annual trade valued at approximately $200 billion, supports over 115,000 jobs, $7 billion in wages, and $11.9 billion in GDP across Canada.

• Protecting the environment and executing environmental stewardship is part of the VFPA mandate, through climate and air‑quality initiatives, habitat enhancement, and marine wildlife protection.
• Leads the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat & Observation (ECHO) Program since 2014, coordinating voluntary ship slow‑downs to protect endangered southern resident killer whales; achieved an 86% participation rate and shaped IMO noise reduction guidelines.
• Participated in the World Ports Climate Action Programme, collaborating with global ports on decarbonisation, electrification of port operations, and low‑carbon shipping solutions.

• VFPA collaborates closely with terminal operators, shipping lines, railroads, trucking, Indigenous communities, labour unions, and governments to optimise port operations, enhance supply‑chain resilience, and expand capacity.
• Oversees a formal Project and Environmental Review (PER) process, which includes mandatory Indigenous and public engagement across four review categories, ensuring sustainable and compliant development.

• Governed by an 11‑member board, including eight federal appointees (seven via port‑user input), one from British Columbia, one representing Prairie provinces, and one appointed by the 16 municipalities within VFPA’s jurisdiction.
• The board ensures robust oversight in areas such as capital projects, audit, risk, governance, human resources, and external relations.
• VFPA is accountable to the federal Minister of Transport, operates financially independently, and undergoes annual public reporting, including tabling of reports in Parliament.

The Vice President, Operations & Supply Chain is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction on all facets of marine and land operations, supply chain optimisation and trade development involving the port authority’s marine. This position will play a key role in the strategic planning process by advancing solutions to modernise and increase the movement of vessels and cargo within the jurisdiction.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development and implementation of the port authority’s initiatives designed to increase innovation, data sharing, and collaboration throughout supply chains essential to moving Canada’s trade through the port.
• Oversee the management of strategic relationships with external stakeholders, strategic customers, key industry associations, and major supply chain partners.
• Lead teams through change, driving operational excellence and fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement.
• Balance strategic vision with practical execution, ensuring teams are aligned, engaged, and supported.
• Engage with diverse sectors,…