Area Planning Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title

Transportation Area Planning Manager

Job Summary

The Transportation Area Planning Manager is responsible for overseeing transportation planning, logistics optimization, route management, and operational efficiency within a designated geographic region. This role ensures safe, cost-effective, and compliant transportation operations while supporting customer service objectives and company growth. The manager collaborates with operations, dispatch, customer service, maintenance, and supply chain teams to develop and execute transportation strategies that maximize productivity and service performance.

Key Responsibilities

Transportation Planning & Operations

• Develop and manage daily, weekly, and long-term transportation plans for assigned service areas.
• Optimize routing, scheduling, and fleet utilization to improve efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
• Analyze freight demand, delivery requirements, and capacity constraints to ensure service continuity.
• Coordinate transportation activities with internal departments and external carriers.
• Monitor transportation KPIs, including on-time delivery, cost per mile, fleet utilization, and customer satisfaction.

Logistics Management

• Ensure adequate transportation resources are available to support business requirements.
• Evaluate and implement process improvements to enhance logistics performance.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings through route optimization and network analysis.
• Manage contingency plans for service disruptions, weather events, customer emergencies, and equipment failures.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with DOT, FMCSA, OSHA, state, and local transportation regulations.
• Promote a strong safety culture across transportation operations.
• Monitor driver performance, hours-of-service compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct transportation audits and ensure corrective actions are implemented when necessary.

Team Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop transportation planners, dispatchers, and support personnel.
• Establish performance expectations and conduct employee evaluations.
• Support workforce planning, staffing, training, and succession initiatives.
• Foster collaboration between transportation operations, maintenance, and customer service teams.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Utilize transportation management systems (TMS), GPS tracking, and analytics tools to monitor performance.
• Prepare reports and presentations on operational metrics, trends, and improvement opportunities.
• Analyze transportation costs and recommend strategies to improve profitability.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to transportation operations.

Customer Service & Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with customers and internal stakeholders to understand transportation requirements.
• Resolve service issues and ensure customer expectations are met.
• Support business development initiatives by providing transportation planning expertise.
• Maintain positive relationships with carriers, vendors, and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Degree.
• Bachelor's Degree preferred but not required.

Experience

• 2+ years of transportation, logistics, fleet management, or supply chain experience preferred.
• Experience with transportation management systems (TMS) and routing software.
• Knowledge of fleet operations, carrier management, and transportation compliance requirements.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong transportation planning and logistics management skills.
• Knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, and transportation regulations.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Project management and process improvement experience.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, ERP systems, and transportation software.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-time delivery performance
• Transportation cost per mile/shipment
• Fleet utilization rate
• Driver productivity
• Safety incident rate
• Hours-of-service compliance
• Customer satisfaction scores
• Capacity utilization
• Budget adherence

Working Conditions

• Office and field-based environment.
• Frequent interaction with drivers, dispatch teams, customers, and operational personnel.
• Occasional travel to distribution centers, terminals, customer locations, and carrier facilities.
• Availability to respond to transportation emergencies and operational issues outside normal business hours when required.

Reporting Relationship

Reports To: Director of Transportation

\nCompany Description

At Volume our customers are what make our business. Our slogan “Service Is Our Business” represents a commitment from everyone at Volume to provide the best experience possible to our customers. With customer service representatives and driver managers on staff at all times, Volume is ready to assist each and every one of our customers and remains dedicated to its established customer base for over 34 years.

Company Description

At Volume our customers are what make our business. Our slogan “Service Is Our Business” represents a commitment from everyone at Volume to provide the best experience possible to our customers. With customer service representatives and driver managers on staff at all times, Volume is ready to assist each and every one of our customers and remains dedicated to its established customer base for over 34 years.