Load Planner

About the Role

The Load Planner coordinates equipment utilization to ensure a high level of service and cost-effective movement of goods for customers. This fast-paced environment involves constant attention to customer requirements, balancing tendered loads with available equipment, and real-time communication of service issues with shippers and receivers. The role requires decision-making that impacts profitability with minimal review, necessitating broad knowledge of preferred lanes, rates, and equipment availability. Strong sales and customer service skills are essential for obtaining business and maintaining customer relationships.

Responsibilities

• Maximize profitability and utilization of equipment within company lane constraints, minimizing deadhead miles and increasing rate per mile.
• Interact with Customer Service Representatives for optimum load selection and communicate potential issues affecting pickup and/or delivery.
• Maintain communication with Driver Managers and others to ensure quality customer service and driver productivity, understanding driver availability, hours of service issues, special requests, or constraints (e.g., inability to assist in loading/unloading, hazardous material issues).
• Manage and maintain trailer pools in all areas of responsibility, adjusting pools as necessary to provide maximum trailer utilization.
• Communicate with Brokers regarding committed loads and any issues related to broker freight.
• Keep deadhead percentage as low as possible.
• Plan loads against available equipment to minimize layover time.
• Pre-book freight to ensure availability of loads for available equipment.
• Maintain accurate trailer pools.
• Keep Customer Service Representatives informed on freight offered and not accepted, or any changes to normal shipping patterns.
• Increase rate per total mile.

Competencies

• Job Knowledge: Competent in required skills; stays updated on current developments; requires minimal supervision.
• Use of Technology: Demonstrates required skills; adapts to new technologies; troubleshoots issues; uses technology to increase productivity; keeps technical skills current.
• Communications: Expresses ideas verbally and in writing; exhibits good listening and comprehension; keeps others informed; selects appropriate communication methods.
• Managing Customer Focus: Promotes customer focus; establishes service standards; provides customer service training; monitors satisfaction; develops new approaches to meet customer needs.
• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; open to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; builds team spirit; prioritizes team success; supports colleagues' efforts.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree or 5 years of related experience/training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ability to read and interpret documents (e.g., safety rules, operating instructions, procedure manuals).
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.
• Knowledge of TMW Database software.

Physical Demands

The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Work Environment

The work environment is usually moderate in noise level. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.