Tim Scott

Fractional COO/CSCO for brands ready to scale

30+ years building supply chains that scale. From Naval officer to Fortune 500 CSCO, I help growth-stage and PE-backed companies build the infrastructure their ambition requires.

Let's Talk

Expertise In

Last-Mile DeliveryS&OP/IBP ImplementationWarehouse AutomationStrategic SourcingOperational Transformation
30+
YEARS IN SUPPLY CHAIN
$80M+
COST SAVINGS DELIVERED
3,200+
RETAIL LOCATIONS ENABLED
3,000+
TEAM MEMBERS LED

The True North Approach

I help high-growth and private equity-backed brands design, build, and optimize scalable supply chain and operational infrastructure. Acting as a fractional COO or CSCO, hands-on or advisory, I translate supply chain strategy into disciplined execution, delivering measurable cost reductions, operational efficiency, and service reliability.

My approach combines strategic foresight with hands-on operational leadership to stabilize performance and create enduring systems that scale.

With 30+ years of executive leadership across Fortune 500 and PE-backed organizations, I step in when operational capacity lags growth. My focus: building resilient, cost-effective, and execution-ready supply chains for multi-site distribution networks.

“Tim empowers teams by removing barriers and driving results.”

– Executive Leader

Tim Scott
The Gap

Supply Chain Scaling Challenges

High-growth companies frequently encounter operational challenges that hinder expansion, profitability, and customer satisfaction:

Outgrown Infrastructure

Facilities, processes, and systems can no longer support growing volume. Every new store, customer, or SKU adds complexity that your warehouse network and logistics partners weren't designed to handle, creating operational bottlenecks.

Cost Creep

Rising costs due to inefficient processes and legacy contracts erode margins. Outdated workflows and supplier agreements can inflate expenses unnecessarily, limiting financial flexibility.

Service Inconsistency

Slipping service levels and declining customer satisfaction are common when operations are stressed. Inconsistent delivery times, stockouts, and fulfillment errors impact brand reputation and reduce repeat business.

Visibility Gaps

Limited real-time insight into inventory, shipments, and operational performance creates blind spots. Without accurate data, decision-making is reactive rather than proactive, increasing the risk of disruption.

Leadership Bandwidth

Overextended leadership teams focused on day-to-day firefighting have little capacity for strategic planning. This limits process improvements and prevents building scalable operations for future growth.

Who I Work With

This might be a fit for...

I partner with executive teams navigating complex operational and supply chain challenges, including:

PE-backed or high-growth companies scaling faster than current supply chain and operational capabilities

Retail, grocery, CPG, and wholesale organizations with multi-site, multi-temperature, omni-channel complexity

Teams seeking senior operations expertise without a full-time executive hire

Companies prioritizing accountability, disciplined execution, and enduring operational systems

Sound like you? Let's talk
How We Work Together

Assessment to Execution

Engagements scaled to where you are and where you're headed.

Retained

Strategic Advisory

Not every engagement requires operational involvement. Some executives need a seasoned supply chain expert in the room when making high-stakes strategic decisions without handing over the reins. As a strategic advisor, I work directly with CEOs and boards to pressure-test assumptions, challenge existing operators, and provide independent perspective on major initiatives. No decision-making authority. No operational disruption. Just experienced judgment when it matters most.

Typical Involvement

  • •Quarterly board meetings and strategic planning sessions
  • •High-value customer pursuits and sales support
  • •M&A due diligence and acquisition assessment
  • •Product development and go-to-market input
  • •Ad-hoc consultation on competitive threats and market shifts

Engagement model: Retained relationship with flexible availability. Monthly retainer, 48-hour notice for meetings.

4-6 Weeks

Rapid Assessment

A detailed diagnostic of the current supply chain and operations: evaluating network structures, identifying cost drivers, assessing service performance, reviewing systems and technology, and auditing team capabilities to create a complete understanding of strengths, gaps, and immediate risks.

Deliverables

  • •Comprehensive assessment report
  • •Inefficiency and cost savings analysis
  • •Service gap identification
  • •Quick-win opportunities

Expected Outcomes

  • →Identification of high-impact improvements
  • →Clear prioritization
  • →Actionable recommendations to guide next steps
3-6 Months

Transformation Partnership

Hands-on implementation of improvements identified during assessment: redesigning distribution networks, optimizing inventory levels, implementing S&OP/IBP best practices, renegotiating contracts with suppliers and 3PLs, deploying automation or technology solutions, and building internal capability.

Deliverables

  • •Transformed network design
  • •Updated processes and workflows
  • •Enhanced reporting tools
  • •Trained teams

Expected Outcomes

  • →Improved cost efficiency
  • →Better service reliability
  • →Enhanced operational visibility
  • →Foundation for scalable growth
6-12 Months

Fractional COO/CSCO

Embedded executive leadership with full accountability for operational outcomes: overseeing day-to-day operations, managing distribution and fulfillment performance, leading strategic sourcing and procurement initiatives, and implementing governance frameworks, executive dashboards, and ongoing S&OP processes.

Deliverables

  • •Operationalized strategies
  • •Fully trained leadership teams
  • •Executive reporting structures
  • •Multi-year roadmaps

Expected Outcomes

  • →Sustainable improvements in cost, service, and working capital
  • →Operational readiness for growth
  • →Enduring processes that deliver results beyond the engagement
In Practice

Selected Work

Retail / Deep Discount
Grocery Outlet
2021-2024

Building supply chain infrastructure for rapid retail expansion

Challenge

A $5B deep discount retailer needed to transform its supply chain to support rapid expansion from 350 to 550+ stores across 16 states.

Approach

Led end-to-end transformation of a 16-site, multi-temperature supply chain. Centralized inbound freight, digitized warehouse operations, built 10-year capacity roadmap, and expanded team by 30%.

Outcome

Reduced freight spend by $10M/year. Kept unit costs below inflation for 3 consecutive years. Built scalable infrastructure supporting ongoing expansion.

$10M
Annual Freight Savings
350 → 550+
Store Network Scale
Grocery Retail
Sobeys
2019-2020

National TMS rollout and network consolidation

Challenge

A $31B Canadian grocery retailer operating 2,000+ stores needed streamlined supply chain operations across 25 DCs and 10 provinces.

Approach

Rolled out national Transportation Management System, advanced demand planning, and consolidated regional networks with automation investments.

Outcome

Improved on-time delivery by 10%. Cut transportation costs by $5M/year. Achieved $3M in annual inventory savings.

$5M
Transportation Savings
$3M
Inventory Reduction
10%
On-Time Delivery Improvement
CPG / Food
Mondelēz International
2012-2015

North American logistics unification across borders

Challenge

Siloed logistics operations across US, Canada, and Mexico created inefficiency and inconsistent service across a $1B+ spend.

Approach

Unified warehousing and transportation strategy across North America. Optimized 3PL performance and implemented network-wide continuous improvement programs.

Outcome

Reduced supply chain costs by $4M/year. Improved service levels by 15%. Cut lead times by 15% and boosted OTIF rates.

15%
Service Level Improvement
$4M
Annual Cost Reduction
What People Say

From colleagues and collaborators

"

Tim is a seasoned Supply Chain and Logistics leader who brings both strategic vision and hands-on leadership to every challenge. He's an energetic and engaging people leader who truly empowers his team by actively removing barriers that enable them to succeed.

Tim Main
Head of Global Supply Chain & Operations
"

Tim is a grounded operations leader that has the ability to take command of business challenges, wrestle them to the ground and turn them into opportunities. The results of our efforts have been quite innovative and very successful.

Chris Rodkin
President, BritOn Solutions Group
"

I have seen him drive step change improvement in warehouse safety to achieve an 85% reduction in TIR/LTIR. His focus on balancing costs and service delivered 5-10% gross productivity improvements while exceeding delivery performance.

Craig M.
VP Supply Chain
"

Tim is a strong visionary that has the unique ability to turn ideas into action, leading many people and projects into previously uncharted paths.

Errol Cerit, P.Eng.
Executive Vice President, FHCP
"

Tim's ability to not only model solutions, but also to connect, anticipate and pull together custom solutions truly resonated with the clients his team was servicing. His personable style and collaboration were key attributes to his success.

Prakash Hariharan
EY Partner, Global Managed Services
"

Tim would be a valuable player on any supply chain team. He is great at finding opportunities to increase efficiency and cut costs, and then driving the necessary change to turn those opportunities into reality.

Ryan McGee
Executive Leader, Finance and HR Operations
About

Tim Scott

Tim Scott

Tim Scott

Supply Chain & Operations Executive

Tim Scott is a Chief Operations and Supply Chain Executive with 30+ years of international experience leading large-scale transformations in grocery retail, wholesale distribution, and CPG food manufacturing.

A former Royal Canadian Navy officer, Tim's leadership combines discipline, strategic foresight, and collaborative team-building. He has scaled organizations from $300M to $30B in revenue, delivering $100M+ in supply chain and operational savings.

Founder of True North Supply Chain Advisory, he advises boards, PE operating companies, founders and executive teams on operational scalability, technology, sourcing, fulfillment, last-mile logistics, and executive-level supply chain strategy, creating sustainable enterprise value.

$100M+
Cost Savings Delivered
30+
Years in Supply Chain
200+
New Stores Enabled

Career Timeline

2025-Present
Principal · True North Supply Chain Advisory
2025-Present
Strategic Advisor · FourKites, Arkestro, Plug and Play, Owlery, Infinity Loop
2021-2024
SVP & Chief Supply Chain Officer · Grocery Outlet
2019-2020
SVP Supply Chain · Sobeys
2016-2019
VP Logistics & Distribution · Metro Inc.

Education

Graduate:MBA, Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, International Business
Undergraduate:BA Business Administration, Royal Military College of Canada

Common Questions

What's the difference between a fractional CSCO and a consultant?
What size companies do you typically work with?
Do you work with companies outside of retail and CPG?
How do you handle engagements that require on-site presence?
What does a typical assessment engagement look like?
How do you ensure improvements stick after you leave?

Get in Touch

Ready to
scale?

Whether you're outgrowing your supply chain, preparing for a growth sprint, or need senior logistics leadership without the full-time hire, let's talk.

Send an Email

San Francisco Bay Area - Available for remote or on-site engagements across North America