The Strategic Routing Lead is a pivotal role that leads our network-wide route optimization using advanced technology and data analytics. This role will evaluate historical and real-time data to develop robust strategies for divisions and establish best practices that inform daily tactical routing operations. The primary objective is to deliver measurable value across the network by maximizing truck utilization, reducing total miles driven, streamlining route counts, and optimizing route times. These efforts will drive savings in fuel and maintenance costs and enhance overall safety.

What you will do:

• Perform Strategic Routing Optimization on a monthly cyclical basis, rotating through assigned regional divisions to ensure each division is optimized approximately every 3 months

• Analyze historical delivery data—including plan vs. actual performance, total route times, time at each stop, and travel time between stops—to formulate a master routing schedule

• Execute data collection and clean-up, align on routing parameters, and run initial routing solutions utilizing multiple varying scenarios

• Collaborate closely with local field operations and sales teams, iterating on the routing scenarios based on their feedback to finalize the master reroute plan

• Create standardized rerouting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and socialize them with the corporate management team to ensure alignment with corporate KPIs

• Standardize routing documentation so that the transition and experience for local field operations remain completely consistent, regardless of which router builds the plan

• Provide an optimized template for the daily/tactical routing software to ensure that daily dispatchers know exactly which routes and sequences to place actual daily orders on

• Performs other duties as assigned.

When you will work:

• Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

• Hybrid schedule: Must be able to commute to one of our US Distribution Centers 3-4 days/week.

What you'll bring to the table:

• Bachelor's Degree in Logistics or Transportation required.

• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in routing or transportation, with expertise in food distribution and customer interaction required.

• Logistics Expertise: Proven background working in a logistical capacity, such as supply chain planning, routing, or dispatching

• Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Exceptional analytical mindset similar to a Business Analyst; capable of interpreting massive datasets to maximize efficiency and reduce costs (e.g., fuel, tractor/trailer maintenance, collisions)

• Communication & Negotiation: Strong interpersonal skills necessary to present data, gather feedback, and successfully negotiate routing changes with local operations and sales teams

• Leadership Potential: Supervisory capability and potential; a desire to transition from hands-on execution into a leadership role that involves training and managing a team

• Strategic Alignment: Ability to understand and align with corporate KPIs to drive tangible ROI across the network

• Change Management and Adaptability: Proficiency in guiding digital transformation, leading teams through organizational changes, and quickly adapting strategies to evolving market conditions.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills to build strong relationships with senior management, customers, and cross-functional teams

• Descartes OnDemand: Familiarity with daily/tactical routing software to ensure seamless integration between the master plan and daily execution

• Descartes WinRoute: Primary tool for executing Strategic/Master routing optimization: Familiarity preferred.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets: Highly proficient in Excel for data management, scenario tracking, and packaging optimization results into digestible formats for review with local ops teams

BE PART OF AN AMAZING CULTURE WHERE WHAT MATTERS TO YOU, MATTERS TO US!

Gordon Food Service values our customers and understands that their success is largely dependent upon their workforce. To demonstrate our commitment to our partnership, we will require any candidate who works for a Gordon Food Service customer to provide a letter of support from their management if they are selected for the interview process.

Equal Employment Opportunity is a matter of policy at Gordon Food Service, Inc. and we are committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability. If you require reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process due to a disability, please submit your request to talent@gfs.com and use the words “Accommodation Request” in your subject line.

All Gordon Food Service locations are tobacco-free.

Gordon Food Service is a drug-free workplace and conducts pre-employment drug tests.