Load Planner - Afternoon Shift

Penske; Kitchener; Hybrid; CAD 48,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Penske Logistics Canada Ltd. in Kitchener, ON is seeking a Load Planner to join a customer-centric team. The role focuses on planning loads, coordinating freight movements, and maintaining visibility through the Transportation Management System.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in Transportation or Supply Chain, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel/Outlook. Shift is Monday–Friday with afternoon hours and some Saturdays; travel may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business or Supply Chain preferred.
• Minimum 2 years in Transportation or Supply Chain roles preferred.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem solving and analytical capabilities.
• Advanced skills in Excel and Outlook required.
• Strong customer focus and relationship-building abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; adaptable in dynamic settings.

Responsibilities

• Process orders, plan shipments into loads, and tender freight to carriers.
• Update Transportation Management System with shipment details.
• Provide clear instructions to customers and teams via phone or email.
• Track shipments to ensure on-time delivery and resolve issues.
• Maintain daily logs and trackers for operations.
• Negotiate spot rates with carriers and identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Coordinate with carriers to meet pickup and delivery times.
• Provide load exception reporting and operational analyses.

Skills

Analytical skills

Customer focus

Written communication

Verbal communication

Multitasking

Problem solving

Adaptability

Attention to detail

Excel

Outlook

Education

Bachelor's in Business or Supply Chain

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY:

Penske Logistics is looking for a Load Planner at our location to become part of an excellent team. This is a great opportunity for an individual who is self-motivated, has strong analytical and computer skills, strong attention to detail and is enthusiastic to work in a customer-centric environment. This position coordinates all processes and functions of load planning and freight movement.

Shift: This position supports a Monday to Friday, Afternoon Shift with occasional Saturday support required.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process customer orders, plan & optimize shipments into loads, tender freight to third-party carriers


• Update Transportation Management System with current shipment information.


• Provide detailed instruction to various customers & associates from other shifts by phone and e-mail


• Provide visibility to management and the customer by tracking, process over-sight, auditing, researching and troubleshooting operational issues or functions.


• Complete daily logs and trackers


• Handle rate negotiations with carriers on a spot rate basis


• Identify cost savings opportunities for the customer


• Coordinates with carriers to ensure on-time delivery by tracking trucks for pick-up, estimating times of arrival and delivery, and recovering loads when necessary


• Provides load exception investigation and reporting


• Weighs alternative financial decisions before taking action


• Other projects and tasks as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or Supply Chain Management preferred


• Two (2) plus years of experience in Transportation/Supply Chain preferred


• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize time sensitive situations in a fast paced environment


• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills


• Advanced desktop computer skills including Microsoft Excel and Outlook required


• Strong customer focus


• Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships with customers as well as Penske associates


• Ability to adapt in a dynamic environment


• Strong organizational skills


• Strong written and verbal communication skills


• Must be able to learn and regularly operate various computer systems across different platforms


• Ability to work First, Second and Third Shift as needed. Flexibility with scheduling required.


• Regular, predictable, full attendance is an essential function of the job


• Willingness to travel as necessary, work the required schedule, work at the specific location required, complete a Penske employment application, submit to a reference verification (to include past employment and education) are required

Physical Requirements:

• -The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


• -The associate will be required to: read; communicate verbally and/or in written form; remember and analyze certain information; and remember and understand certain instructions or guidelines.


• -While performing the duties of this job, the associate may be required to stand, walk, and sit. The associate is frequently required to use hands to touch, handle, and feel, and to reach with hands and arms. The associate must be able to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25lbs/12kg.


• -Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Penske is committed to the principle of equity in employment.

Key Words: Supply Chain; Transportation Management; 3PL; Logistics

About Penske Logistics

Penske Logistics engineers state-of-the-art transportation, warehousing and freight management solutions that deliver powerful business results for market-leading companies. With operations in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, Penske and its associates help businesses move forward by increasing visibility and driving down supply-chain costs. Visit Penske Logistics to learn more.

Job Category: Logistics/Supply Chain

Job Function: Logistics & Supply Chain

Job Family: Operations

Address: 2481 Kingsway Dr Ste 100

Primary Location: CA-ON-Kitchener

Employer: Penske Logistics Canada Ltd.