Transportation Manager

Job Summary: The Transportation Manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution and continuous improvement of the company’s domestic transportation operations, including management of local delivery and logistics teams as well as third-party carrier relationships. This role ensures reliable, safe, and cost-effective delivery performance while supporting broader logistics strategies. This position will lead a team of 5 CDL Drivers, 2 Logistics Clerks, and 1 Transportation Coordinator. The ideal candidate is a hands-on operator who can lead teams, improve processes, and partner cross-functionally to drive service and efficiency. Key Responsibilities: Strategic Transportation & Logistics: Domestic Strategy: Lead the domestic transportation program, prioritizing on-time delivery with a focus on cost-avoidance, mode optimization, and load consolidation. Operational Excellence: Oversee daily routing and dispatching for the local fleet and common carriers, ensuring optimal delivery performance. Analytics & Reporting: Support transportation budget management, including tracking freight spend and reporting on performance. Operational Coordination: Partner with Warehouse Leadership to streamline dock flow, using OpenDock and other internal systems to eliminate bottlenecks and improve efficiency for pickups and deliveries. Fleet Management & Safety: Fleet Oversight: Manage all company-owned and leased assets, ensuring rigorous preventive maintenance schedules to maximize safety and uptime for local routes. Regulatory Compliance: Serve as the subject matter expert for DOT and FMCSA regulations. Audit HOS/ELD logs, DVIRs, and IFTA reporting to ensure a "Satisfactory" safety rating. Safety Culture: Lead driver safety meetings and conduct root-cause analysis for any incidents or near-misses, implementing corrective actions immediately. Carrier & Vendor Relations: Procurement and Partnerships: Support carrier sourcing, rate evaluations, and performance reviews in partnership with leadership. Performance Management: Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with core carriers to ensure alignment with service and budgetary goals. Leadership & Strategy: Team Development: Directly lead, mentor, and coach a team of local route drivers, logistics clerks, and transportation coordinators, fostering a culture of professional accountability. Collaborative Communication: Promote a strong team environment through daily check-ins and consistent two-way communication. Establish feedback loops among drivers, clerks, coordinators, and leadership to sustain morale and transparency. Change Management: Drive the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to improve operational scalability. Organizational Alignment: Align transportation with Distribution, Supply Chain, Production, and Sales to support shared goals. Ensure local route delivery and domestic freight plans stay fully coordinated to improve efficiency and service performance. Performance & Relationship Management: Uphold a strong customer-service culture through proactive communication, exception management, and root-cause analysis. Collaborate with internal and external partners to improve delivery processes and equip drivers and coordinators to resolve issues at the point of service. Qualifications: Experience: 5–8 years of experience in transportation, logistics, or distribution management, including direct leadership of drivers and/or transportation support staff. Compliance: Comprehensive knowledge of FMCSA, DOT, and transportation compliance Technical Proficiency: Direct experience with OpenDock (or similar dock scheduling software) is highly preferred. Proficiency in TMS and WMS platforms. Experience managing company-owned transportation assets and drivers. Licensing: Class A CDL, or Class B with the willingness to obtain a Class A, preferred. This role requires a deep understanding of the driver experience, and the ability to move equipment or assist in yard management if necessary is beneficial. Credentials / Experience: Degree or certifications in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or related field, or equivalent military or professional experience is highly valued. Key Competencies: Financial Acumen: Ability to manage budgets and understand the impact of transportation variables on the bottom line. Critical Problem Solving: High-pressure decision-making regarding route exceptions and service failures. Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with everyone from the warehouse floor to executive leadership. Safety-First Mindset: Unwavering commitment to regulatory compliance and personnel safety. Employment Type: Full Time Years Experience: 5 - 10 years Bonus/Commission: No