Manager Trainee

Job Summary

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for learning the management of a small driver count and/or non-traditional shifts (including nights and weekends), ensuring safe and timely movement of freight, load assignment, and providing best‑in‑class customer service. The role will be trained to ensure compliance with DOT regulations and oversee all drivers’ compliance with company regulations, working with internal and external contacts to plan, route, monitor, and deliver freight and loads.

• Build and maintain positive professional relationships with drivers and outside carriers to ensure seamless carrier set‑up, minimize turnover, and maximize productivity.
• Fill in for absent or unavailable personnel and work on special projects related to optimizing fleet operations and achieving profitability.
• Utilize personnel management, including training and orientation of drivers and employees, and assist with internal and third‑party systems.
• Maximize the efficiency of fleet operations, profitability, and provide continuous improvement recommendations; measure key performance indicators and present customer‑specific reporting and financial analysis at customer locations.
• Manage inventory, assets, customer pools, and driver assignments to balance equipment in the market.
• Perform administrative duties such as payroll, Net‑Revenue budget management, driver counseling, accident reviews, filing, documentation, pay issue resolution, P&L analysis, invoicing, and financial reporting.
• Maintain the yard, including inspecting equipment, replacing parts, coordinating repairs, and scheduling preventative maintenance with maintenance services.
• Resolve service issues, routing or planning adjustments, mechanical problems, accessorial pay issues, and other operational concerns in collaboration with drivers, customers, and company personnel.
• Maintain the company’s safety culture by delivering daily driver safety messages, monthly safety briefings, quarterly training, annual reviews, and enforcing DOT compliance and safety policies.
• Assign loads and plan, route, and monitor freight movement to provide safe, on‑time service and meet customer requirements, managing freight exceptions and driver ETA adjustments.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Transportation/Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field OR High School Diploma/GED with at least 1 year of experience in management, transportation/logistics, business administration, account management, or related field, or equivalent military experience.
• Willing to travel to account, customer, and company event locations when applicable.
• Ability to work across multiple shifts, including nights and/or weekends.
• Willingness to regionally relocate based on account assignment.
• Position is not eligible for employment‑based sponsorship.

• Experience managing a team.
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and resolve conflicts at individual, group, or situational levels.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• Adaptability to changing environments.
• Ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
• Exceed team/driver needs and expectations and provide excellent service directly or indirectly.
• Effective communication skills across various mediums.
• Recognition, anticipation, and resolution of organizational, operational, or process problems.

Starting pay range: $53,000.00 – $66,200.00 per year. Compensation may be influenced by skills, education, experience, geography, and other qualifications. Annual bonus and incentives may be awarded based on profitability or volumes per the company’s bonus and incentive plans.

Full‑time eligibility includes medical, dental, vision, 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability coverage, paid time off (vacation and sick time), six weeks of paid maternity leave, two weeks of paid parental leave, and six paid holidays annually.

J.B.Hunt Transport, Inc. is committed to basing employment decisions on the principles of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, persons with disabilities, protected veterans or other bases by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.