Brokerage Specialist - Partial Truckload

Forward Air Corp.; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corp. in Des Plaines, IL is seeking a Brokerage Specialist - Partial Truckload to optimize PTL planning, procurement, and execution by connecting shipper demand with carrier capacity.

You will maximize trailer utilization and margins, collaborating with Customer Sales, Carrier Sales, and Operations to align opportunities with capacity strategies and network priorities for service excellence and efficient freight movement.

Qualifications

• Education: HS diploma or GED required; degree preferred from an accredited college or university.
• 2+ years in carrier sales, freight brokerage, dispatch, or logistics operations.
• Strong understanding of LTL, PTL, and FTL operations.
• Experience using TMS and load tracking tools; McLeod preferred.
• Strong communication and relationship management with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Identify, plan, and execute PTL opportunities to maximize trailer utilization.
• Design and manage multi-stop and multi-pick routes for service and cost targets.
• Balance customer service with margin optimization and cost control.
• Develop and maintain relationships with partial truckload carriers.
• Understand carrier capabilities and lanes to align capacity with demand.
• Serve as primary contact for carriers; manage communications and issues.
• Negotiate competitive carrier rates based on market conditions.
• Secure capacity in stable and constrained markets.
• Collaborate with Sales, Carrier Sales, and Operations to align opportunities with capacity strategies.
• Identify and incorporate brokerage freight into shipments.
• Communicate load requirements to carriers and internal teams.
• Monitor shipments from pickup to delivery and resolve delays.
• Maintain updates in TMS and tracking platforms.
• Analyze performance metrics and identify improvements.
• Collaborate on process improvements and network optimization.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Carrier Sales

Negotiation

Relationship management

Communication

Problem solving

Attention to detail

Multitasking

Load planning

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain/Logistics/Business

Tools

McLeod TMS

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

Position: Brokerage Specialist - Partial Truckload

Compensation: $65,000 - 70,000 Annually

Job Description:

TheBrokerage Specialist - Partial Truckload is responsible for optimizing the planning, procurement, and execution of partial truckload (PTL) shipments by effectively connecting shipper demand with carrier capacity. They play a critical part in maximizing trailer utilization, reducing transportation costs, and improving overall network efficiency through strategic consolidation and carrier alignment. They combine carrier sales expertise, operational execution, and load planning to ensure efficient and reliable freight movement. They partner cross-functionally to align brokerage opportunities with capacity strategies and network priorities. This role is integral to driving both service excellence and margin performance across the Partial Truckload network.

Core Responsibilities & Duties:

• Identify, plan, and execute partial truckload opportunities by consolidating shipments to maximize trailer utilization and profitability.
• Design and manage multi-stop and multi-pick routes aligned with service requirements and cost efficiency targets.
• Balance customer service expectations with margin optimization and cost control initiatives.
• Develop, onboard, and maintain relationships with a network of partial truckload carriers.
• Understand carrier capabilities, equipment types, and preferred lanes to effectively align capacity with freight demand.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for carriers, managing communication, issue resolution, and performance expectations.
• Negotiate competitive carrier rates based on market conditions, shipment requirements, and network needs.
• Secure capacity in both stable and constrained market environments to meet business demand.
• Partner with Customer Sales, Carrier Sales, and Operations teams to align freight opportunities with available capacity.
• Identify and incorporate brokerage freight into partial or consolidated shipment opportunities.
• Communicate detailed load requirements, including routing, scheduling, and documentation instructions, to carriers and internal teams.
• Monitor shipments from pickup through delivery, proactively resolving delays, disruptions, or service exceptions.
• Maintain accurate and timely updates within the Transportation Management System (TMS) and tracking platforms.
• Analyze performance metrics (e.g., trailer utilization, on-time delivery, cost per load, margin) to identify improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support process improvements, automation initiatives, and network optimization efforts.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Job Requirements & Qualifications:

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required; Undergraduate degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field preferred from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Experience: 2+ years of experience in carrier sales, freight brokerage, dispatch, or logistics operations.
• Strong understanding of LTL, PTL (partial truckload), and full truckload (FTL) operations.
• Proven experience in capacity procurement and carrier negotiation.
• Experience using Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and load tracking tools (McLeod strongly preferred).
• Strong communication, relationship management, and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to multitask and perform effectively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Experience with routing optimization, digital freight platforms, automation tools, or data-driven decision making is preferred.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings/events.