Transportation Supervisor

1720 Cannon Road, Northfield, MN, USA | Salary | 75000-80000 per year | Full Time

| Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance; Company-Paid Life Insurance; 401(k) with Company Match; Vacation, Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); Wellness Program; Employee Discounts on Company Products

MEET UPPER LAKES FOODS

Upper Lakes Foods, Inc. is the largest independent, wholesale food distributor in Minnesota. The company has three facilities located in Cloquet, MN, Northfield, MN and Janesville, WI. We distribute food throughout the Upper Midwest. Upper Lakes Foods specializes in serving foodservice operators such as independent restaurants, assisted living facilities, schools, and national and regional foodservice chain accounts with a strong focus on customer service. Simply put, the mission is to build value for each customer, employee, supplier and community we serve by bringing the best; the best products, best people and best ideas.

Transportation Supervisor | Northfield, MN

As the Transportation Supervisor, you will play a key role in ensuring our delivery operations run safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with DOT regulations. You'll lead a team of professional drivers, support daily logistics operations, and help deliver the outstanding service our customers depend on every day.

What You'll Do

• Lead, coach, and develop delivery drivers through performance management, mentoring, and annual evaluations.

• Support driver recruitment efforts, including interviewing, onboarding, training, and conducting road tests.

• Collaborate with the Logistics team to optimize routing and manage daily driver schedules to meet customer service expectations.

• Maintain and audit driver qualification files and DOT compliance records, ensuring accuracy and proper retention.

• Analyze operational reports and key performance metrics to identify trends, improve efficiency, and support staffing needs.

• Address driver and customer concerns in a timely and professional manner, partnering with HR on corrective action when necessary.

• Champion a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement across the transportation team.

What We're Looking For

• 3+ years of transportation, distribution, or logistics experience, with prior leadership experience preferred.

• Strong knowledge of DOT regulations and experience applying them in a transportation environment.

• Experience with route planning, driver scheduling, and fleet operations in a fast-paced delivery environment.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize competing demands, and lead by example.

• Valid Class A CDL preferred.

YOUR DAILY ROUTE MAP

Your day starts by reviewing staffing levels, delivery schedules, and operational priorities to ensure everything is in place for a successful day. You'll connect with Logistics and warehouse teams to coordinate timing, resolve potential issues, and keep deliveries running efficiently. Throughout the day, you'll spend time supporting drivers through coaching, performance discussions, and safety check-ins while monitoring compliance and operational documentation.

No two days are exactly alike. Whether it's navigating unexpected weather, covering staffing challenges, or resolving customer concerns, you'll be the steady leader who keeps operations moving forward. You'll make informed decisions, communicate effectively, and ensure issues are addressed promptly and professionally.

Most work is conducted during daytime hours, with occasional overnight coverage as business needs require. As the day wraps up, you'll review key performance metrics, identify opportunities for improvement, and prepare the team for success the following day. If you enjoy a fast-paced environment, developing people, and solving operational challenges, you'll thrive in this role.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position operates in both office and warehouse/logistics environments. The office setting includes standard workstations, computers, telephones, filing systems, and other office equipment. The role typically involves a combination of sitting, standing, and walking throughout the day, with frequent interaction with employees, customers, and business partners via phone, email, and in person.

Regular movement throughout a distribution center and warehouse environment is required, including exposure to varying noise levels and active equipment operations. Depending on business needs, the position may also include operating a tractor-trailer and performing delivery-related duties.

Work schedules may vary based on operational demands and may include weekends, holidays, and occasional overnight coverage with limited advance notice. Travel of up to 25% may be required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST

If you like solving problems and keeping a team moving in the right direction, apply today.

"We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin."

Full job description located on the Upper Lakes Foods Company Website.

Final candidates are required to successfully complete a background check, MVR, pre-employment lift evaluations, and pre-employment DOT drug screening prior to their employment start date.All offers of employment are conditional and contingent upon the Company's receipt of satisfactory results from a comprehensive background investigation and MVR and a negative result on a pre-employment lift evaluation and DOT drug screen.Failure to successfully complete either requirement may result in withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal, state, and local law.