Area Planner I

Hirschbach; Bedford (Bedford County); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Hirschbach in the United States is seeking an Area Planner I to manage freight and equipment planning within a defined geographic region. You will execute the day-to-day planning strategy, ensure freight moves on time, and optimize trailer and driver utilization while collaborating with operations, customer service, and the coverage team.

This role requires 2+ years in freight planning or transportation operations, a solid understanding of HOS, routing, and equipment utilization, and proficiency

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 2+ years of freight planning, dispatch, or transportation operations.
• Solid understanding of Hours of Service (HOS), routing, and equipment utilization.
• Proficiency in AS400, planning software, Microsoft Office, and Power BI.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the daily planning and execution strategy for a specific region.
• Plan and manage a workload of 400+ loads per week, meeting service and efficiency targets.
• Assign freight to drivers based on Hours of Service (HOS), availability, and service commitments.
• Monitor service performance and elevate or resolve issues related to delays, disruptions, or capacity shortages.
• Manage trailer pools, drop yards, and stale trailer reporting within the assigned area.
• Serve as the primary planning contact for internal teams supporting the region (Driver Managers, Customer Service, Sales).
• Coordinate with ECT Planners to ensure seamless after‑hours coverage and issue resolution.
• Leverage planning systems and tools (AS400, Power BI, Orbcomm, PC*Miler, Manhattan) for informed decision-making.
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to support process improvement, cost reduction, and service enhancement initiatives.
• Support the onboarding and training of new or less experienced planners when requested.

Skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Collaboration

HOS knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s preferred

Tools

AS400

Power BI

Planning software

MS Office

Job description

Job Summary

Area Planner I is responsible for managing freight and equipment planning within a defined geographic region or customer segment. This role executes the day-to-day planning strategy for their area, ensuring freight moves on time, trailers are managed efficiently, and drivers are effectively utilized. Area Planner I serves as a key connection point between operations, customer service, and the extended coverage team, with accountability for service performance and planning execution in their area.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the daily planning and execution strategy for a specific region or book of business under guidance from leadership
• Plan and manage a workload of 400+ loads per week, meeting service and efficiency targets
• Assign freight to drivers based on Hours of Service (HOS), availability, and service commitments
• Monitor service performance and elevate or resolve issues related to delays, disruptions, or capacity shortages
• Manage trailer pools, drop yards, and stale trailer reporting within the assigned area
• Serve as the primary planning contact for internal teams supporting the region (Driver Managers, Customer Service, Sales)
• Coordinate with ECT Planners to ensure seamless after‑hours coverage and issue resolution
• Leverage planning systems and tools (AS400, Power BI, Orbcomm, PC*Miler, Manhattan) for informed decision-making
• Participate in cross-functional meetings to support process improvement, cost reduction, and service enhancement initiatives
• Support the onboarding and training of new or less experienced planners when requested

Work Environment

• Office-based and on-site at customer location
• Collaborative, fast-paced environment with frequent cross-departmental communication
• Flexibility required during peak periods or to support high-volume planning windows

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field preferred
• 2+ years of experience in freight planning, dispatch, or transportation operations
• Solid understanding of Hours of Service (HOS), routing, and equipment utilization
• Proficiency in AS400, planning software, Microsoft Office, and analytical tools like Power BI
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills