Transportation Manager

Title: Transportation Manager FLSA Status: Exempt Reports To: Senior Director, Supply Chain Department: Supply Chain Location: Waukegan, IL Job Summary The Transportation / Logistics Manager is responsible for overseeing and optimizing all transportation, distribution, and logistics operations to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and compliant delivery of finished goods and inbound materials. This role plays a critical part in supporting customer service, managing freight spending, maintaining food safety standards, and driving continuous improvement across the supply chain. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Transportation Management Lead all transportation operations for inbound raw materials and outbound finished goods across domestic and international lanes. Manage relationships with third-party carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and logistics service providers. Develop and execute transportation strategies to optimize service levels, cost, and efficiency across all modes (truckload, LTL, intermodal, and ocean freight). Ensure consistent on-time pickup and delivery performance while maintaining product quality and compliance. International & Ocean Freight Management Manage ocean freight operations, including import/export shipments, container planning, and port coordination. Serve as the primary point of contact with freight forwarders, customs brokers, and international logistics providers. Oversee booking, documentation, and tracking of international shipments, including Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, and certificates of origin. Ensure compliance with international trade regulations, customs requirements, and food import/export laws. Monitor transit times, detention/demurrage exposure, and carrier performance to minimize delays and added costs. Partner with suppliers and procurement teams to coordinate inbound international shipments and improve visibility. Transportation Planning & Execution Oversee routing, load planning, and shipment scheduling to maximize equipment utilization and minimize costs. Coordinate closely with plant operations, procurement, and customer service teams to align transportation with production and order requirements. Manage freight flow across all transportation modes, ensuring proper mode selection based on cost, service, and product requirements. Cost Management & Optimization Develop and manage the transportation budget, including domestic freight, ocean freight, fuel, accessorials, and duties. Analyze freight spending and identify opportunities for cost reduction and efficiency improvements. Lead initiatives such as carrier and forwarder consolidation, route optimization, and mode shifting. Compliance & Food Safety Ensure all transportation activities comply with DOT regulations, FDA/FSMA requirements, and international trade compliance standards. Maintain proper documentation, traceability, and handling standards for food-grade shipments. Ensure carriers and freight forwarders meet company requirements for food safety, sanitation, and temperature control (if applicable). Carrier & Freight Forwarder Management Negotiate rates, contracts, and service agreements with carriers and freight forwarders. Monitor and evaluate partner performance using scorecards and KPIs (on-time performance, cost, claims, transit times). Conduct regular business reviews and drive continuous improvement with logistics partners. Performance Monitoring & Reporting Establish and track transportation KPIs, including: On-time pickup and delivery performance Freight cost per unit Ocean container utilization Transit time reliability Damage and claims rates Provide regular reporting, analysis, and actionable insights to leadership. Systems & Process Improvement Utilize and optimize Transportation Management Systems (TMS), ERP systems, and global shipment tracking tools. Enhance transportation visibility and reporting across domestic and international shipments. Lead continuous improvement efforts focused on transportation efficiency, cost control, and service reliability. Team Leadership Lead, coach, and develop transportation coordinators and/or analysts. Foster a culture of accountability, safety, and continuous improvement. Collaborate cross-functionally with procurement, operations, quality, and customer service teams. Qualifications/Requirements Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or related field (MBA preferred). 5–10+ years of experience in transportation/logistics, preferably within food manufacturing or CPG. Experience managing domestic transportation networks (TL, LTL, intermodal, refrigerated freight preferred). Proven track record of cost reduction and operational improvement. Skills Strong knowledge of transportation regulations (DOT, FDA, FSMA). Expertise in freight management, carrier negotiation, and logistics strategy. Proficiency with TMS, ERP systems, and Microsoft Excel (advanced analytics preferred). Data-driven decision-making and analytical problem-solving skills. Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities. Physical Demands and Work Environment The physical requirements described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to help individuals with disabilities perform these vital functions. The job typically requires: frequently sitting for extended periods while working on a computer. Occasionally standing and walking throughout office, warehouse, shipping, and manufacturing areas, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, or kneeling while inspecting loading areas, trailers, docks, or storage locations, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling items weighing up to 20 pounds (such as files, laptops, shipping samples, or office supplies), entering and exiting trailers or trucks to inspect loads or verify compliance with food safety and transportation standards. Working in environments with varying temperatures, including refrigerated, freezer, warehouse, and outdoor loading dock areas for short periods. Wearing required personal protective equipment (PPE) when entering manufacturing or warehouse production This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Woodland Gourmet hires exceptional people to perform a wide variety of important functions that contribute to the success of our organization. We offer a competitive compensation package with benefits. The estimated salary range for this role is $84,000 to $113,000. This position is eligible for an annual bonus (based on the incentive program terms and conditions). Based on your qualifications, previous experience, and transferable skills, the company will determine, at its discretion, the salary offered and will reflect the market conditions and cost of living for your geographic location. Our benefits program is designed to support our team in leading healthy, productive, and fulfilling lives. We deeply value the contributions of our team members and are committed to offering a competitive total compensation package. Additionally, we offer medical, prescription drug plans, dental, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, vision insurance, flexible spending account, health savings account, tuition reimbursement, employee assistance program, voluntary benefits (hospital, critical illness, personal accident, legal & identify theft), 401k with company match, paid family leave, paid holidays and paid time off. Woodland Gourmet is a participant in the federal E-Verify program. As part of the hiring process, we will verify the information provided on your Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from your Form I-9 to government records to confirm employment eligibility. For more information on E-Verify and your rights, please visit the E-Verify website. Woodland Gourmet assures equal employment opportunity in all its hiring and employment policies and practices. This includes all aspects of employment, such as recruiting, hiring, promotions, transfers, demotions, layoffs or terminations, compensation, benefits, training, company-sponsored education, social and recreational programs or events, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. These policies and practices are administered without regard to “legally protected categories” such as: race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or sexual orientation, pregnancy status or medical conditions related to childbirth, and/or any other factor protected by law