Sr. Manager, Transportation Strategy

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.

The Senior Manager, Transportation Strategy serves as a key member of the Transportation Leadership Team and is responsible for defining and executing strategic initiatives across the transportation network, including Domestic Inbound and Domestic Outbound operations. This role drives continuous improvement through data‑driven decision‑making, strategic planning, and cross‑functional collaboration to optimize cost, service, and operational performance.

The Senior Manager will play a critical role in enterprise‑level decision support, including carrier negotiations, contract management, and the leadership of high‑impact initiatives that deliver measurable business value. This position partners closely with Transportation Operations leadership and cross‑functional stakeholders across Store Operations, Distribution, Digital, Merchandising Planning & Analytics (MP&A), and Information Technology.

As a leader of people, the Senior Manager is accountable for developing high‑performing teams, strengthening organizational capability, and driving sustained improvements in key performance metrics related to transportation cost, service, and reliability.

• Lead the development and execution of transportation strategies that optimize cost‑to‑serve while maintaining or improving service levels across inbound and outbound.
• Identify and prioritize initiatives that drive efficiency, network optimization, and scalability, including mode optimization, utilization improvements, and prepaid‑to‑collect conversions.

• Oversee the end‑to‑end execution and analysis of transportation carrier Requests for Proposal (RFPs), including annual and ad hoc sourcing events.
• Lead carrier negotiations, contract strategy, and performance management to ensure competitive pricing, service excellence, and alignment with business objectives.

• Lead a team responsible for advanced transportation analytics, reporting, and solution development.
• Deliver forward‑looking, scenario‑based (“what‑if”) analysis to inform strategic planning and executive decision‑making.
• Leverage analytical tools and modeling capabilities to roadmap initiatives that improve network efficiency and cost performance.

• Continuously evaluate and leverage third‑party platforms, tools, and solutions to advance transportation capabilities and unlock new optimization opportunities.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to pilot, implement, and scale innovative transportation technologies.

• Provide oversight of freight payment and audit processes to ensure accurate, timely payment to all carrier and courier partners.
• Ensure compliance with contractual terms and resolve discrepancies in partnership with internal and external stakeholders.

• Monitor emerging logistics technologies, market trends, and industry best practices.
• Provide thought leadership and education to the broader organization on transportation market dynamics, benchmarking insights, and competitive positioning.

• Lead transportation planning and execution support for critical operational events, including peak…