Manager, Driver Recruitment

Driver Recruitment Manager

Odyssey Logistics is a global logistics and supply chain partner helping businesses optimize performance through fully integrated, end-to-end solutions. We connect transportation, technology, and expertise across a broad network of services including 3PL and 4PL managed services, multimodal and intermodal transport, warehousing, trucking, Jones Act Ocean, and customs brokerage, ensuring goods move reliably, efficiently, and intelligently around the world. Today, Odyssey supports more than 6,000 customers globally, delivering scalable, data driven solutions across complex supply chains. What started with a single client has grown into a dynamic, evolving organization focused on performance, precision, and long-term partnership.

Our work is complex, fast moving, and highly collaborative. Success here requires people who think strategically, operate with urgency, and navigate across functions to solve real business challenges. We value individuals who take ownership, challenge the status quo, and turn insight into action.

Our culture is grounded in five core values: Win Together, Innovate Boldly, Drive Results, Customer Centric, and Guide with Care. These are not just principles; they shape how we make decisions, partner with customers, and show up for each other.

The Role

Location: Candidates who meet the qualifications may be considered in Charlotte, NC; Chesterton, IN; or Fullerton, CA, with the ability to work from one of these office locations

Work Model: Hybrid work arrangement with remote work flexibility on Fridays

Supervisory Responsibility: Yes

Reports To: Head of Talent Acquisition

All applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. No relocation allowance will be considered unless specifically addressed.

The Driver Recruitment Manager is responsible for leading Odyssey's driver recruiting strategy and execution across Company Drivers, Independent Contractors, and fleet recruiting initiatives. This role manages the driver recruitment team and partners closely with Operations, Safety, HR, and Marketing to develop scalable recruiting programs that attract, hire, and retain high-quality drivers in competitive markets.

This position combines relationship-driven recruiting with data-driven decision making, market intelligence, employer branding, operational partnership, and process optimization. The ideal candidate is a strong leader who understands the transportation industry, builds high-performing recruiting teams, improves processes, manages recruiting investments responsibly, and creates a positive candidate and driver experience from first contact through onboarding and retention.

What You'll Do

Recruiting Operations & Candidate Experience

• Manage the full recruiting lifecycle from sourcing through onboarding coordination
• Ensure timely communication and follow-up with applicants, leads, and hiring partners
• Communicate job opportunities, compensation structures, qualifications, and hiring requirements accurately and professionally
• Partner with Safety and Operations to guide candidates through qualification, DOT compliance, background screening, and onboarding
• Coordinate interviews, orientation scheduling, travel arrangements, and onboarding logistics as needed
• Maintain accurate recruiting activity and candidate records within ATS, Tenstreet, CRM platforms, and related systems
• Monitor recruiting responsiveness, application flow, and conversion metrics to improve hiring speed and candidate experience

Driver Recruiting & Workforce Strategy

• Lead full-cycle recruiting efforts for Company Drivers, Independent Contractors, and fleet opportunities across multiple markets
• Partner with operational leadership and HR to support workforce planning, operational demands, and hiring priorities
• Develop proactive sourcing and lead generation strategies to build sustainable driver pipelines
• Research industry trends, compensation, competitor activity, and market conditions to provide recommendations to leadership
• Build and maintain relationships with active and passive candidates, referral networks, and industry contacts
• Re-engage inactive candidates, cold leads, and former employees eligible for rehire
• Utilize recruiting platforms, social media, networking, and industry events to expand recruiting reach and effectiveness

Leadership & Operational Management

• Lead, develop, and manage the driver recruitment team through coaching, accountability, and performance management
• Establish recruiting priorities, service levels, and performance metrics aligned with operational hiring goals
• Drive process improvement initiatives focused on recruiting workflows, hiring efficiency, onboarding experience, and reporting accuracy
• Identify operational gaps and implement scalable recruiting solutions that improve efficiency and hiring outcomes
• Assist in managing recruiting budgets, advertising spend, vendor relationships, and recruiting investments
• Partner with leadership on recruiting resource planning, staffing strategies, and market expansion efforts

Marketing, Branding & Lead Generation

• Partner with Marketing to develop recruiting campaigns across digital, social media, referral, and industry-specific channels
• Evaluate recruiting vendors, advertising sources, lead providers, and recruiting events to maximize recruiting ROI
• Support employer branding initiatives that strengthen Odyssey's visibility and reputation within the driver community
• Attend recruiting events, trade shows, job fairs, and networking opportunities as needed

Driver Retention & Engagement

• Support driver retention initiatives through post-hire engagement and follow-up strategies
• Conduct driver follow-up communication during onboarding and key employment milestones
• Partner with Operations and Safety to identify trends impacting turnover, onboarding experience, and driver satisfaction
• Act as a liaison for driver concerns during onboarding and early employment stages
• Support driver recognition and engagement initiatives designed to improve retention and overall driver experience

Analytics & Reporting

• Develop and maintain recruiting metrics and reporting related to:
• Lead generation effectiveness
• Source performance
• Time-to-fill
• Hiring conversion rates
• Advertising ROI
• Driver turnover trends
• Candidate drop-off points
• Utilize recruiting data and market insights to drive continuous improvement and strategic decision making
• Maintain recruiting documentation and reporting in accordance with company policy and federal regulations

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in business, Human Resources, Supply Chain, or related field preferred or Equivalent transportation, driver recruiting, or talent acquisition experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• 4+ years of experience in CDL driver, logistics, or transportation recruiting
• Previous experience leading or mentoring recruiting teams in a transportation, logistics, or high-volume hiring environment preferred
• Working knowledge of DOT regulations, driver qualification standards, and transportation industry hiring practices
• Experience recruiting Company Drivers and/or Independent Contractors preferred
• Demonstrated success implementing process improvements, workflow optimization, or recruiting operational enhancements
• Strong understanding of recruiting metrics, sourcing strategies, and market analysis
• Experience with applicant tracking systems, Tenstreet, CRM tools, and recruiting technologies preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and reporting tools
• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while managing multiple priorities
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities

We offer a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package, including:

• A choice of medical plans with FSA and HSA options • Dental Insurance • Vision Insurance • Company-paid Life and Disability Insurance • 401(k) Plan with Company Match • Paid Time Off (PTO) and Company Holidays • Employee Assistance Program • Company Health & Wellness Program • Discounts with Preferred Vendors

At Odyssey, we believe the best ideas come from people with different skills, experiences, and perspectives. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and evaluate every candidate based on the qualifications needed for the role, while also valuing the unique strengths, curiosity, and fresh thinking each person brings. Our commitment to inclusion helps fuel innovation and enables us to deliver smarter, more creative solutions for our customers. We are proud to be a workplace where everyone is treated with respect, given equal opportunity to succeed, and encouraged to contribute in meaningful ways. All employment decisions are based on merit, without regard to race or ethnicity, religion, color, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual