Transportation Manager

Job Summary:

The Transportation Manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution and continuous improvement of the company’s domestic transportation operations, including management of local delivery and logistics teams as well as third-party carrier relationships. This role ensures reliable, safe, and cost-effective delivery performance while supporting broader logistics strategies.

This position will lead a team of 5 CDL Drivers, 2 Logistics Clerks, and 1 Transportation Coordinator. The ideal candidate is a hands-on operator who can lead teams, improve processes, and partner cross-functionally to drive service and efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Transportation & Logistics:

• Domestic Strategy: Lead the domestic transportation program, prioritizing on-time delivery with a focus on cost-avoidance, mode optimization, and load consolidation.
• Operational Excellence: Oversee daily routing and dispatching for the local fleet and common carriers, ensuring optimal delivery performance.
• Analytics & Reporting: Support transportation budget management, including tracking freight spend and reporting on performance.
• Operational Coordination: Partner with Warehouse Leadership to streamline dock flow, using OpenDock and other internal systems to eliminate bottlenecks and improve efficiency for pickups and deliveries.

Fleet Management & Safety:

• Fleet Oversight: Manage all company-owned and leased assets, ensuring rigorous preventive maintenance schedules to maximize safety and uptime for local routes.
• Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the subject matter expert for DOT and FMCSA regulations. Audit HOS/ELD logs, DVIRs, and IFTA reporting to ensure a "Satisfactory" safety rating.
• Safety Culture: Lead driver safety meetings and conduct root-cause analysis for any incidents or near-misses, implementing corrective actions immediately.

Carrier & Vendor Relations:

• Procurement and Partnerships: Support carrier sourcing, rate evaluations, and performance reviews in partnership with leadership.
• Performance Management: Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with core carriers to ensure alignment with service and budgetary goals.

Leadership & Strategy:

• Team Development: Directly lead, mentor, and coach a team of local route drivers, logistics clerks, and transportation coordinators, fostering a culture of professional accountability.
• Collaborative Communication: Promote a strong team environment through daily check-ins and consistent two-way communication. Establish feedback loops among drivers, clerks, coordinators, and leadership to sustain morale and transparency.
• Change Management: Drive the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to improve operational scalability.
• Organizational Alignment: Align transportation with Distribution, Supply Chain, Production, and Sales to support shared goals. Ensure local route delivery and domestic freight plans stay fully coordinated to improve efficiency and service performance.
• Performance & Relationship Management: Uphold a strong customer-service culture through proactive communication, exception management, and root-cause analysis. Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve delivery processes and equip drivers and coordinators to resolve issues at the point of service.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 5–8 years of experience in transportation, logistics, or distribution management, including direct leadership of drivers and/or transportation support staff.
• Compliance: Comprehensive knowledge of FMCSA, DOT, and transportation compliance
• Technical Proficiency:
  • Direct experience with OpenDock (or similar dock scheduling software) is highly preferred.
  • Proficiency in TMS and WMS platforms.
  • Experience managing company-owned transportation assets and drivers.
• Licensing: Class A CDL, or Class B with the willingness to obtain a Class A, preferred. This role requires a deep understanding of the driver experience, and the ability to move equipment or assist in yard management if necessary is beneficial.
• Credentials / Experience: Degree or certifications in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related field, or equivalent military or professional experience is highly valued.

Key Competencies:

• Financial Acumen: Ability to manage budgets and understand the impact of transportation variables on the bottom line.
• Critical Problem Solving: High-pressure decision-making regarding route exceptions and service failures.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with everyone from the warehouse floor to executive leadership.
• Safety-First Mindset: Unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance and personnel safety.