Transportation Supervisor

Transportation Supervisor

Cottage Grove, MN

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan since 1955, Lumbermen's operates in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Minnesota. A leading distributor and manufacturer, we are driven by our mission to enrich lives by intentionally caring for all who experience us. We are employee owned and relationship powered.

The Transportation Supervisor is responsible for overseeing daily transportation operations and ensuring the safe, efficient, and timely movement and delivery of products. This position supervises and supports drivers, develops and optimizes delivery routes, coordinates fleet activities, and works closely with operations, warehouse, maintenance, and customer service teams.

The Transportation Supervisor is responsible for promoting a strong culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with company policies and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.

Lead and model a strong culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Supervise and support daily transportation operations and driver activities.

Build, maintain, and optimize delivery routes to maximize driver productivity, fleet utilization, and transportation efficiency.

Ensure accurate, timely, and efficient customer deliveries.

Coordinate intercompany material transfers and other transportation movements as required.

Monitor on-time delivery performance, driver productivity, service levels, and key transportation metrics.

Periodically review routes, schedules, and transportation processes and make adjustments to improve efficiency.

Coach, support, and develop drivers while addressing performance, attendance, safety, and service issues.

Assist with recruiting, onboarding, training, and retention of transportation personnel.

Ensure drivers properly complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections and accurately maintain electronic logs through the company's ELD platform.

Assist with compliance with DOT, FMCSA, Hours of Service, and other applicable regulations.

Coordinate tractor and trailer repairs with vendors and internal maintenance personnel.

Partner with the Transportation Manager or other leadership to plan and schedule fleet maintenance, repairs, inspections, and regulatory requirements.

Monitor equipment availability, fleet condition, and equipment downtime.

Investigate and assist in resolving accidents, safety incidents, service failures, customer concerns, and other transportation-related issues.

Utilize transportation data, performance metrics, and customer feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.

Conduct and support periodic driver performance reviews and provide coaching based on established performance expectations.

Identify opportunities to improve routing, productivity, safety, fleet utilization, customer service, and operating costs.

Promote lean management principles and continuous improvement initiatives.

Maintain accurate transportation records, reports, and documentation.

Make sound, timely decisions independently while escalating significant issues appropriately.

Respond to off-shift transportation issues and driver calls when necessary.

Take on additional projects and responsibilities as needed to support the transportation operation.

Required Education & Experience

High School diploma or GED required.

3+ years of transportation, fleet, logistics, or distribution experience preferred.

Prior fleet management or driver supervision experience strongly preferred.

Current or prior CDL Class A certification with current medical card, or ability to obtain and maintain required credentials.

Working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA regulations and transportation safety requirements strongly preferred.

Experience with ELD systems and electronic driver logs preferred.

Experience with fleet maintenance, routing, and transportation scheduling preferred.

Required Skills & Competencies

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.

Exceptional organizational and time-management skills.

Ability to coach, motivate, and hold drivers accountable.

Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills.

Ability to make independent decisions in time-sensitive situations.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to learn new software and transportation systems.

Ability to analyze transportation data and use performance metrics to drive results.

Proactive approach to safety and regulatory compliance.

Ability to work effectively with transportation, warehouse, operations, maintenance, and customer service teams.

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Must be available to respond to off-shift transportation issues and driver calls when necessary.

Key Performance Measures

Safety and preventable accident performance

On-time delivery performance

Driver productivity and utilization

Route efficiency

Transportation cost

Fuel efficiency

Fleet utilization and equipment downtime

DOT and regulatory compliance

Driver retention and performance

Customer service performance

Productivity and continuous improvement initiatives

What We Offer

A collaborative and supportive work environment

ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) – generous company-funded retirement

Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance

Flexible spending/health savings account

401(k)

Ulliance Life Advisor EAP

Clothing allowance (for applicable roles)

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Training and development

Advancement opportunities

Lumbermen's is proud to be a drug and alcohol-free workplace. In addition, Lumbermen's will not discriminate against any employee or candidate because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. We participate in E-Verify.

Minnesota Salary Range

$75,000 - $100,000 USD