Supply chain and logistics is a demanding job at the best of times. But imagine what it must take to succeed when your office is on an island situated halfway between Hudson Bay and Greenland.

Welcome to the life of a logistics professional in the last frontier.

For the past year, Chris Cote, CITT, has been the general manager of Uqsuq Corporation in Iqaluit, Nunavut. Located on Baffin Island, Iqaluit has a population of approximately 6,500 and is the capital of Canada's newest territory.

Uqsuq Corporation is a fuel storage and distribution company. As general manager, Chris oversees the timely and safe delivery of petroleum products in Iqaluit. This 80-million litre facility stores three petroleum products - gasoline, diesel, and Jet A-1. Other aspects of his position include forecasting future sales, ensuring product availability and managing quality control.

Chris started his logistics career in the shipping industry with Northern Transportation Company Ltd. (NTCL), a marine transportation company located in Hay River, Northwest Territories. NTCL is northern Canada's oldest and largest Arctic marine operator. Chris wore many hats, dealing with everything from operations to marketing. The ownership of NTCL played an active role in his training and development. In fact, one of his mentors at NTCL recommended the CITT program to him. Chris earned his CITT designation in 2008.

When it comes to his job, Chris believes the pros and cons that are inherent to working in the remote region of Iqaluit provide him with a perfect mix of contrasts that bring his natural aptitudes to the surface on a daily basis. Chris relishes in his quest to overcome the obstacles.

"Trying to provide dependable logistical services in the Arctic has its limitations, which I have found to be an exciting mix of challenges and rewards," said Chris.

Chris feels the CITT Program of Study provided him with the tools to succeed. One course in particular was tailor made to suit one part of his job. That task is analyzing inventory requirements.

"The Logistics Decision Modeling course was most helpful as it used practical examples using Excel," said Chris. "The course gave me additional strength and insight into in inventory management, which is a skill I must rely on almost every day."

Working in an isolated region like Nunavut provides Chris with an abundance of obstacles and challenges that other logistics professionals who work in more populated areas do not have to deal with. Logistics in the Arctic is not for the faint of heart.

"The major obstacle we face in Nunavut is that we are only accessible by air and by sea, with no connecting highway infrastructure to southern Canada," said Chris. "The summer shipping season is quite short, operating only from July to October. Our fuel supply is received during this period and must last until we are re-supplied the next summer. Along with many other commodities and bulk consumer products, orders must be placed early to ensure supplies are received in time for shipping. We cannot afford to 'miss the boat' so to speak, as this would mean delays and added cost."

However shipping by air is not always an option, primarily due to the hefty price tag. But the harsh Arctic weather plays a role as well.

"If we run short of home heating oil in February, I cannot just call our supplier to top us up, we just can't get it up here at that time of year," said Chris. "So it is very important that we have sufficient inventory on hand and that the quality of the product is maintained."

In order to succeed under such trying conditions, Chris relies heavily on his ability to build and maintain relationships, his supply chain and logistics super power.

"In logistics, you never get anything done alone," stated Chris. "To achieve any goal, you have to foster relationships with as many people as you can. I have always worked in roles involving direct contact with customers and suppliers, which has given me the interpersonal skills I need to succeed at any given task."

In his leisure time, Chris enjoys playing hockey, squash and the occasional hand of poker.  And with a shortage of upscale restaurants in Iqaluit, and with gourmet food stores in short supply, Chris has also become a bit of an Iron Chef.

"I enjoy cooking," said Chris. "And out of necessity, I am becoming more adept in the kitchen with what ingredients are available. We all need to eat, so I might as well do a good job preparing a meal."

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