Transportation Planner

Transportation Planner

The Transportation Planner is responsible for coordinating transportation planning and shipment execution to ensure efficient process flow and cost-effective distribution. This role works cross-functionally with internal teams through use of logistics systems and data analysis to optimize shipping strategies and improve operational efficiency. The purpose of this role is to improve service levels and drive freight cost reduction for both internal operations and customers.

Responsibilities & Duties

• Manage all aspects of customer requirements regarding load planning and transportation alignment to ensure optimized capacity for customer freight shipments.
• Build working knowledge of key systems including LMS, TM, and SAP ERP to ensure operational coordination.
• Develop and maintain expertise in the Logistics Management System (LMS) to analyze inventory levels and support accurate transportation planning and execution.
• Communicate and collaborate with Materials Management, Customer Service, and Logistics teams to ensure alignment on order priorities, material availability, and shipment timing.
• Create outbound deliveries within the transportation execution process.
• Ensure product availability to optimize product flow process and address material availability.
• Evaluate shipment methods (e.g., parcel vs. FTL) and recommend optimal transportation solutions based on weight, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by reviewing transportation data, order frequency, and shipment consolidation opportunities.
• Assist with back-order process to maximize customer service level and reduce freight costs, including reviewing MRP parameters.
• Work alongside Transportation and Material Planning teams to address product allocation requests.
• Make appropriate ERP system adjustments to ensure alignment according to product and customer priorities.
• Manage inventory (lock/unlock) to ensure product availability to priority customers.
• Work with the Transportation Planning team to drive improvement on all pre-paid and collect outbound shipments to meet customer requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation and ensure compliance with company transportation processes and standards.

Education

• HS Diploma or GED required
• 4-year degree in a related field preferred
• Equivalent training & experience may be substituted

Experience

• 2 years of operations, inventory planning, materials management, or transportation planning experience in a medium-sized industrial manufacturing company preferred
• Hands-on ERP systems experience preferred
• Hands-on WMS/LMS systems experience preferred
• Data management & analytical analysis experience a plus

Knowledge

• Materials flow & planning techniques
• Inventory flow & concepts in a manufacturing environment
• Business processes & production scheduling impacts on the organization
• Working knowledge of manufacturing control systems, planning procedures, transportation and freight management, physical plant layout & constraints
• SAP M/M & P/P ERP modules
• SAP TM

Foundation Skills

• Effective oral & written communication skills
• Self-starter, able to work independently or with a team
• Analyzing/reporting data to identify issues, trends, or exceptions used to improve results
• Managing data using appropriate analysis & validation techniques
• Ability to deal with constantly changing deadlines & project parameters in a fast-paced, continuous process manufacturing operation
• Ability to develop collaborative relationships with all levels of the organization
• Taking a systematic approach to solving problems by analyzing all relevant facts/issues before determining the root cause
• Detail-oriented & well-organized
• Proficient in MS Office applications
• Ability to access, retrieve, & analyze data using MS Excel, Access, or business objects as provided
• Inspecting/evaluating the quality of work produced
• Meet tight deadlines without sacrificing accuracy & attention to detail

Benefits

Blum USA offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Salaried position
• Possible bonus opportunities
• Health coverage (Medical, Vision, Dental)
• 401(k) with company match
• Flexible spending account for eligible health expenses
• Competitive PTO package
• Term life insurance equal to annual salary at no cost to employee

Company Overview

For over 60 years, Blum has been a global leader in manufacturing high-quality hinge systems, drawer runners, and lift systems that enhance user convenience in kitchens and living spaces. Our commitment to innovation and motion perfection drives everything we do.

With eight production plants in Austria and manufacturing sites in Brazil, Poland, China and the United States, Blum employs approximately 9,000 people worldwide. Our mission is to create solutions that make everyday life easierwhether in the kitchen or beyond.