Senior Logistics Specialist Operations, Inbound Logistics

Inbound Transportation Manager

At Five Below our growth is a result of the people who embrace our purpose: We know life is way better when you are free to Let Go & Have Fun in an amazing experience, filled with unlimited possibilities, priced so low, you can always say yes to the newest, coolest stuff! Just ask any of our over 27,000 associates who work at Five Below and they'll tell you there's no other place like it. It all starts with our purpose and then, The Five Below Way, which is our values and behaviors that each and every associate believes in.

It's all about culture at Five Below, making this a place that can inspire you as much as you inspire us with big ideas, super energy, passion, and the ability to make the workplace a WOWplace!

Location: Ship Center New Jersey, Hybrid

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Manager Inbound Logistics, this position is responsible for managing and optimizing end-to-end domestic transportation activities across multiple modes (truckload, LTL, intermodal, parcel, and dedicated fleets). This role serves as a senior subject-matter expert, ensuring freight moves efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with service, safety, and regulatory requirements. The position works cross-functionally with operations, procurement, customer service, and carriers to drive performance, resolve complex issues, and support continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, Logistics, Transportation, Business, (or equivalent experience)
• 58+ years of experience in domestic transportation or logistics operations
• Strong knowledge of U.S. domestic freight modes and carrier operations
• Hands-on experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret freight data and KPIs
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills
• Proficient in using transportation management systems (Manhattan TMS preferred) and related software.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• Problem-solving skills to address issues related to shipments and transportation.
• Negotiation skills for contract management with carriers and service providers.
• Microsoft Office products (i.e. Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, etc.)

Job Responsibilities:

Inbound Transportation Management

• Coordinate and manage domestic inbound freight movements from suppliers, vendors, and transload facilities to distribution centers.
• Plan and optimize transportation capacity across truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, and rail networks.
• Monitor shipment status and proactively address transit delays, service disruptions, and exceptions.
• Ensure timely delivery of inventory to support distribution center and store replenishment requirements.

Carrier Management

• Build and maintain relationships with transportation providers and third-party logistics (3PL) partners.
• Monitor carrier performance through KPIs including on-time pickup, on-time delivery, tender acceptance, and claims ratios.
• Participate in carrier sourcing events, RFPs, and rate negotiations.
• Support carrier compliance with routing guides, service requirements, and operational expectations.
• Primary contact for carrier onboarding/operational readiness

Vendor Compliance & Collaboration

• Partner with suppliers to ensure compliance with routing instructions, shipping requirements, and appointment scheduling processes.
• Resolve vendor shipping issues impacting inventory flow or transportation costs.
• Drive improvements in supplier shipping performance and compliance metrics.

Capacity Planning & Network Optimization

• Analyze freight forecasts and inventory flow to secure transportation capacity during peak and seasonal periods.
• Collaborate with merchants, inventory planning, replenishment, and distribution center teams to align transportation resources with business demand.
• Identify opportunities to improve load utilization, reduce empty miles, and increase transportation efficiency.

Operational Execution

• Manage daily transportation execution activities, including freight tendering, load planning, appointment scheduling, and shipment tracking.
• Coordinate inbound delivery appointments with distribution centers and terminals.
• Escalate and resolve service failures affecting inventory availability or distribution center operations.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Develop and maintain transportation performance dashboards and scorecards.
• Analyze transportation spend, service metrics, freight trends, and network performance.
• Communicate operational performance, risks, and opportunities to leadership.
• Utilize TMS, and reporting tools to support decision-making.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify cost-saving and productivity improvement opportunities across the inbound transportation network.
• Lead and support transportation initiatives related to process standardization, automation, and network optimization.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and best practices for inbound transportation operations.
• Participate in cross-functional projects supporting supply chain and logistics transformation initiatives.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Distribution Center Operations, Inventory Planning, Merchandising, Supply Chain, Finance, IT, and Procurement teams.
• Coordinate transportation support for new store openings, DC transitions, seasonal sets, and network changes.
• Ensure alignment between transportation execution and broader supply chain objectives.

Typical KPIs

• On-Time Pickup %
• On-Time Delivery %
• Carrier Tender Acceptance %
• Transportation Cost per Unit/Case
• Load Fill/Density Utilization
• Vendor Compliance %
• Transit Time Performance
• Claims and Damage Rates
• Inbound Appointment Compliance
• Freight Cost Savings and Avoidance

Leadership Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert for inbound transportation operations.
• Mentor and train logistics specialists and coordinators.
• Lead issue resolution efforts during transportation disruptions and peak shipping periods.
• Present transportation performance, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership.

Five Below is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Five Below is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please submit a request and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

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