Outbound Freight Manager

Reports to -
Director of Transportation

Job Summary: The Outbound Freight Manager is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing outbound freight shipments that move outside NEFCO's normal private-fleet delivery network. This role evaluates shipment requirements, selects the most effective and economical transportation method, coordinates brokered carriers, ensures freight is properly prepared and documented, and works cross-functionally to provide reliable, cost-conscious service to NEFCO customers and Orangefield locations.

• Review outbound shipment demand and determine the appropriate shipping method based on destination, shipment size, product type, urgency, service requirements, and cost.
• Evaluate when freight should move through an Orangefield/service-center shuttle, parcel carrier, or brokered carrier and coordinate the selected method.
• Analyze outbound and picking queues to identify freight requiring next-day or time-sensitive transportation and schedule carriers proactively.
• Coordinate brokered transportation, including flatbeds, box trucks, sprinter vans, and other appropriate equipment based on the freight being shipped.
• Select the most economical transportation option that meets customer and operational requirements and identify opportunities to reduce outbound freight cost.
• Adjust carrier plans, stop sequence, or equipment requirements when shipment volume or customer needs change after the original transportation plan is created.
• Partner with Shipping and warehouse leadership to ensure outbound freight is completely picked, consolidated, wrapped, labeled, weighed, measured, staged, and ready when the carrier arrives.
• Ensure outbound shipments are accurately matched to ship tickets, manifests, Bills of Lading (BOLs), and other required shipping documentation.
• Create or coordinate Best Way manifests and ensure freight cost, carrier information, shipment photos, BOLs, and related documentation are captured and retained in the appropriate NEFCO systems.
• Communicate transportation cost to the appropriate stakeholders and elevate shipments when transportation cost is disproportionate to the value of the product or requires business approval.
• Maintain clear pickup and staging visibility so warehouse teams and carriers can quickly identify freight, stop sequence, carrier, and shipment status.
• Coordinate carrier arrival, loading, signed BOLs, PRO numbers, and completion of outbound freight documentation.
• Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Shipping, Inventory, Transportation, and carrier partners to resolve outbound freight issues and protect the customer experience.
• Prepare freight quotes for Sales and Purchasing by evaluating carrier options, service requirements, shipment characteristics, and transportation cost.
• Respond to daily freight-quote requests with timely, accurate transportation-cost estimates to support customer, sales, and purchasing decisions.
• Provide outbound freight planning and transportation support for new and growing Orangefield locations before normal branch delivery capabilities are fully operational.
• Track recurring service, cost, carrier, damage, delay, and documentation issues and recommend process improvements.
• Help develop and maintain standardized outbound freight procedures and best practices across applicable NEFCO locations.
• Support evaluation of third-party providers and technology.
• Support carrier/broker contracting requirements and compliance initiatives.
• Ensure safe work practices are followed during freight staging, carrier interaction, and loading activities.
• Complete all assigned NEFCO training and support company safety, compliance, and continuous-improvement expectations.

Responsible for upholding the Leaders Safety Six…