Transportation Manager

About the role

The Transportation / Logistics Manager oversees and optimizes all transportation, distribution, and logistics operations to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and compliant delivery of finished goods and inbound materials. This role supports customer service, manages freight spending, maintains food safety standards, and drives continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• Maintain proper documentation, traceability, and handling standards for food-grade shipments.
• Partner with suppliers and procurement teams to coordinate inbound international shipments and improve visibility.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or related field (MBA preferred).
• 5–10+ years of experience in transportation/logistics, preferably within food manufacturing or CPG.
• Experience managing domestic transportation networks (TL, LTL, intermodal, refrigerated freight preferred).
• Proven track record of cost reduction and operational improvement.

Skills

• Strong knowledge of transportation regulations (DOT, FDA, FSMA).
• Expertise in freight management, carrier negotiation, and logistics strategy.
• Proficiency with TMS, ERP systems, and Microsoft Excel (advanced analytics preferred).
• Data-driven decision-making and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.