Logistics Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Summary: The Logistics Manager oversees all transportation operations for A&L Foods, including routing, dispatching, driver teams, company fleet activity, and third-party carriers. This role is responsible for safe, compliant, cost-effective delivery operations and consistent on-time service performance.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (Includes and is not limited to):

 

Leadership and Team Management

• Lead the routing, dispatch, driver, and transportation support teams across A&L’s operations.
• Manage staffing, scheduling, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, performance reviews, and corrective action for assigned employees.
• Set clear expectations for supervisors and team members, including who owns route planning, dispatch decisions, driver communication, and service escalation.
• Develop backup coverage so daily transportation decisions and driver support continue when key employees are absent.

Performance Standards and Accountability

• Establish measurable expectations for route preparation, dispatch readiness, driver productivity, delivery performance, documentation, and issue resolution.
• Review individual and team results regularly. Address gaps through coaching, training, process changes, or corrective action.
• Keep performance expectations realistic as customer requirements, delivery volume, equipment, and routes change.
• Ensure productivity goals support safe driving, DOT compliance, food quality, and customer service.

Routing, Dispatch, and Delivery Execution

• Oversee daily and recurring routes, driver assignments, dispatch, and delivery execution.
• Ensure route plans account for customer receiving windows, order size and weight, vehicle capacity, temperature requirements, driver availability, and hours-of-service limits.
• Guide the Router and dispatch team in balancing driver workloads, reducing unnecessary miles, and making effective use of company equipment and outside carriers.
• Coordinate with warehouse leadership on order priorities, load sequence, shortages, late orders, and departure times.
• Monitor routes in progress and direct responses to delays, breakdowns, missed delivery windows, rejected deliveries, and other disruptions.
• Ensure route changes are communicated promptly to drivers, dispatchers, and customer-facing teams.
• Oversee driver check-in and the resolution of returns, shortages, delivery discrepancies, and incomplete documentation.
• Emergency and on-call coverage as needed for all transportation roles.

Fleet, Equipment, and Systems

• Coordinate vehicle inspections, preventive maintenance, repairs, and equipment availability for the company fleet.
• Work with vendors and internal teams to address breakdowns and arrange delivery coverage when equipment is unavailable.
• Manage the effective use of routing software, GPS, electronic logging devices, fuel cards, toll accounts, and delivery records.
• Review vehicle utilization, fuel, mileage, maintenance, and downtime to identify cost and reliability improvements.
• Work with warehouse and food safety teams to maintain vehicle cleanliness, load integrity, and required product temperatures.

Third-Party Carriers and Depots

• Manage carrier relationships, capacity, rates, service expectations, claims, and performance.
• Determine when company equipment or outside carrier capacity best meets delivery and cost requirements.
• Oversee transportation handoffs involving the Baltimore operation, depots, cross-docks, and transfer points.
• Review carrier service failures and invoice discrepancies; secure corrective action when needed.

Safety, Compliance, and Food Protection

• Oversee compliance with applicable DOT requirements, hours-of-service rules, driver qualifications, vehicle inspections, and company safety policies.
• Ensure required driver, vehicle, training, and compliance records are complete and current.
• Coach safe driving, inspections, cargo handling, and safe practices at delivery locations.
• Investigate transportation accidents, violations, and near misses with the appropriate company teams, then follow through on corrective actions.
• Ensure refrigerated and frozen products are transported according to company temperature, sanitation, and food safety procedures.

Cost Control and Improvement

• Develop, manage and maintain transportation operating budget including but not limited to: labor, overtime, fuel, tolls, maintenance, and third-party carrier charges.
• Review cost per case, delivery, stop, mile, and route where the data supports useful comparisons.
• Evaluate route density, delivery frequency, equipment use, and carrier mix; recommend changes that improve cost and service.
• Investigate recurring delays, damages, re-deliveries, claims, and avoidable miles, and verify whether corrective actions work.

Reporting and Cross-Functional Coordination

• Track and report on-time delivery, route completion, transportation cost, driver and carrier performance, safety, and vehicle availability.
• Give the Director of Operations regular updates on results, significant issues, budget variances, and recommended actions.
• Work with Warehouse, Inventory, Sales, Customer Service, Finance, IT, and depot leadership to resolve delivery problems and improve service.
• Escalate major accidents, compliance concerns, staffing shortages, equipment failures, and customer service risks promptly.
• Serve as transportation point of escalation for significant delivery related issues in partnership with customer service.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education & Experience:

• Associate or bachelor degree in logistics, transportation, business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in transportation, logistics, dispatch, or fleet management, including supervisory responsibility.
• Strong knowledge of DOT regulations, routing systems, fleet operations, Microsoft Office applications, and transportation cost management.

Key Competencies:

• Customer Service Skills: Professional and courteous when interacting with customers and internal teams.
• Organization and Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks and maintain organization in a fast-paced transportation environment.
• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in routing, scheduling, records, and transportation documentation.
• Communication Skills: Clear and effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Problem-Solving: Resolves service issues and operational challenges in a proactive and timely manner.
• Attendance and Punctuality: Arrive at work on time and limit unscheduled absences.
• Leadership and People Management: Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop drivers, dispatchers, and transportation staff.
• Operational Efficiency: Strong analytical and multitasking skills to manage a dynamic distribution environment.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT, EQUIPMENT, AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands listed below are representative of those that will be required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Office-based role within a warehouse distribution environment.
• Frequent interaction with warehouse and operations staff.
• Must be able to handle high-pressure situations calmly and effectively.
• Periodic standing, walking, and exposure to warehouse temperatures required.