Transportation Manager

Transportation Manager

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.

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.

Quali…