THE COMPANY

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.

Trade Gateway and Economic Impact

• 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, containerized 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.

Sustainability & Environmental Leadership

• 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 slowdowns 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 Program, collaborating with global ports on decarbonization, electrification of port operations, and low-carbon shipping solutions.

Infrastructure, Partnerships & Projects

• VFPA collaborates closely with terminal operators, shipping lines, railroads, trucking, Indigenous communities, labour unions, and governments to optimize 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.

Governance & Accountability

• 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 like 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 OPPORTUNITY

Position: Vice President, Operations & Supply Chain

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Reporting Relationship:

Peter Xotta, President and Chief Executive Officer

Direct Reports:

• Director, Land Operations
• Director, Marine Operations & Harbour Master
• Director, Supply Chain Optimization
• Director, Trade Development

Website: https://www.portvancouver.com/

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Vice President, Operations & Supply Chain is responsible for providing leadership and strategic direction on all facets of marine and land operations, supply chain optimization 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 modernize and increase the movement of vessels and cargo within the jurisdiction.

Responsibilities include overseeing 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. The position will also oversee the management of strategic relationships with external stakeholders, strategic customers, key industry associations, and major supply chain partners.

This opportunity will appeal to a seasoned operations executive who can navigate complexity and deliver results in a multi-stakeholder environment. The Vice President will play a critical role in shaping Canada’s trade infrastructure, driving operational excellence while leading teams through change.

The position requires someone who can balance strategic vision with practical execution. They will ensure teams are aligned, engaged, and supported, fostering a culture of collaboration, transparency, and continuous improvement. Strong communication and inclusive leadership are essential, as is the ability to build trust and influence across diverse sectors.

The successful candidate will bring a customer-centric, service-oriented, transparent leadership style grounded in clarity combined with an ability to drive results. They will inspire and motivate teams, strengthen relationships internally and externally, and create an environment where people feel valued and empowered. Experience in guiding large operations, developing talent, and championing innovation will be key to success as will the ability nurture and grow respectful and collaborative partnerships with a diverse set of key stakeholders, customers and regulators. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Marine and Land Operations

• Oversee the development and implementation of strategies and initiatives in marine and land operations to enable the efficient and cost-effective movement of goods through the port authority and the supply chain gateway.
• Anticipate operational challenges while collaborating effectively with executive leadership team members to plan for the seamless delivery of infrastructure and real estate projects into the supply chain network.
• Review and evaluate operational performance in each functional area within span of control to initiate corrective action and mitigate any disruptions or delays to the supply chain network.
• Provide leadership and guidance to the divisional leadership team and staff to ensure that KPIs, including marine and lands operations, and customer satisfaction targets, are met.
• Provide the president and chief executive officer and executive leadership with advanced analysis, options, and intelligence on harbour and land operations, supply chain optimization and trade development activities.
• Act as the final authority on all decisions relating to our marine, land and cruise operations within our marine jurisdiction.

Supply Chain Optimization

• Lead the development and implementation of digital transformation strategies, plans and performance targets to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the supply chain network and expand the capacity of the port authority.
• Manage, engage and support continuous improvement and innovation activities that advance the effective and creative use of supply chain data by the port authority and our external stakeholders.

Trade Development

• Foster strategic relationships with Government stakeholders, strategic customers, key industry associations, and major supply chain partners in support of the port authority’s strategic priorities and business operations.
• Oversee the development and execution of a detailed trade development plan to advance the port authority’s strategic priorities.
• Guide the annual commercial fee reviews and support necessary fee consultation processes on behalf of the port authority.
• Liaise with Canadian and foreign government agencies on trade development issues/matters that impact or have the potential to impact the port authority or Canada’s trade.

Leadership and Management

• Participate in the development of the port authority’s strategic priorities and be responsible for the development and implementation of activities and programs designed to meet the intention of specific strategic priorities.
• Participate as a member of the executive leadership team in the strategic and operational direction of the port authority.
• Plan, implement and review divisional staffing requirements for areas of responsibility, including the determination of clear position descriptions, accountabilities and reporting arrangements to optimize service delivery to all stakeholders.
• Lead and manage subordinates, ensuring that team and individuals are motivated, have defined position descriptions and reporting arrangements, their performance goals are clear and actively managed and development needs are defined and addressed.
• Liaise with Human Resources to ensure the effective selection, training and performance management of staff.
• Plan and review divisional operating costs, particularly with regard to staffing requirements, overhead, consultancy services, planned business programs and service provision.
• Articulate and live the port authority culture and values, set an example by modelling the required behaviours and hold others (staff and peers) accountable for their actions by identifying and acting on behaviour which is inconsistent with agreed standards and values.
• Provide an active and positive leadership example within the wider port community, clearly communicating the port authority’s strategy and key elements of the port authority’s business plan, ensuring ability to deliver improvements through influence as well as direct control.
• Perform other assigned duties as required.

YEAR ONE CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS

In the first year, the Vice President Operations & Supply Chain will have:

• Quickly integrated into VFPA culture, actively contributing to the executive team while gaining a deep understanding of the business complexities.
• Fostered a positive, inclusive team environment by setting shared goals, clear accountability, and transparent communication. Created a team that feels valued, trusted, and motivated.
• Built strong external partnerships with tenants, government, indigenous groups. railways, shipping companies, key industry associations, labour unions and other major supply chain partners and stakeholders to support the VFPA strategic priorities and business operations.

THE CANDIDATE

Experience and Professional Qualifications

• A university degree in business administration, supply chain and logistics, or maritime studies together with a minimum of 10 years of related senior management experience in a port, maritime, logistics or transportation environment, or an acceptable combination of education and experience. Master’s degree in Maritime Port Management is an asset.
• Demonstrated track record in managing complex multi-modal supply chains to both onshore and offshore destinations.
• A track record on best-in-class transportation management systems as well as the use of technology to drive change and business process optimization.
• Skilled in developing and fostering key relationships with stakeholders including major shippers, trucking providers and Class one railroads.
• Ability to lead and manage a diverse team and work closely with senior company leaders. Experience in coaching, developing and leading teams is required.
• Broad understanding of the transportation regulatory environment in Canada and globally. A familiarity with Canada Marine Act, transportation, and security policies.
• Exposure to and understanding of government relations is preferred.
• The incumbent must obtain and maintain a valid Marine Transportation Security Clearance as this position is required to access restricted areas/information as defined by the Marine Transportation Security Regulations.

Skills and Competencies

• Exceptional leadership qualities and management skills with a non-negotiable focus on safety.
• Possesses excellent communication and public speaking skills to effectively interface with all contacts including all levels of business, government and the public to represent the port authority as a dynamic organization prepared to seize opportunities for the port authority as a world-class port.
• Strong customer-service orientation while managing a breadth of responsibilities.
• Demonstrates effective decision-making, strategic planning and initiative, while fostering the development of all of these competencies in the port authority’s emerging leaders.
• Behaves with honesty and integrity; treats others with dignity and respect; builds and achieves a high level of trust in relationships.
• Coaches, mentors and enables people to achieve their maximum potential.