Director, Transportation/Distribution

Dairy Farmers of America; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading dairy cooperative is seeking a Logistics Manager to oversee transportation and distribution, ensuring safe and efficient service for members. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of logistics experience, including management. Responsibilities include managing budgets, compliance, and training personnel. Strong knowledge of the dairy industry and DOT regulations is essential. This role involves working closely with various departments and requires excellent communication skills. Travel may be required 25% - 50% of the time.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of logistics or transportation experience, including 2 years in management.
• Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications and licenses.

Responsibilities

• Direct transportation and distribution activities for safe and efficient service.
• Manage performance metrics and analytical data for decision-making.
• Ensure regulatory compliance in all transportation operations.
• Collaborate with departments to resolve member concerns.

Skills

Strong knowledge of dairy industry production practices

Knowledge of distribution and transportation practices

Understanding of DOT transportation regulations

Ability to manage multiple projects

Strong leadership and coaching skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel

Education

Undergraduate degree in related field

Job description

Description

Effectively direct the transportation and distribution function, providing members or customers professional, safe, and efficient hauling and delivery service. Provide oversight of operations with a continuous improvement mindset, recognizing and implementing initiatives that drive improvements within the business. Responsible for all aspects of distribution logistics involved with raw milk or finished product ordering, collection, and delivery processes. Oversee a transportation or distribution center(s) and multiple transportation related disciplines such as fleet management and maintenance, warehouse operations, dispatch services, logistics planning, etc. Manage and provide leadership to people management and professional staff.

Location: this position can be based out of the DFA office in Salt Lake City, UT or Smithfield, UT.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create and manage operational budget to ensure safe, professional, and efficient hauling or delivery services are provided to members or customers; develop methodology that provides the most advantageous cost of operation
• Provide performance metrics, financial analyses, route/delivery maps, and other related transportation data to facilitate effective decision-making and strategic planning
• Oversee regulatory compliance (Department of Transportation, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Environmental Protection Agency, etc.), including all necessary licensing, permitting, reporting, and training at state and federal level. This includes coordinating with and providing the appropriate DFA compliance department all necessary information and documentation
• Review transportation and/or distribution results to validate high quality service to members or customers. Provide regular performance updates to leadership. Cooperate with other departments (sales, customer service) to quickly resolve any customer or member concerns with the transportation department
• Assist in the development and ongoing evaluation of key performance indicators, providing a basis for measuring continuous improvement in all areas of transportation, including hauling/delivery efficiencies, regulatory and safety compliance, human resources, and member and customer satisfaction
• Work closely with the human resources to ensure driver recruitment, hiring, and training that ensure a safe, professional well-trained group of drivers that fit our culture of providing a high level of service
• Evaluate and prepare cost justification for capital expenditures on equipment and facilities to ensure adequate resources are available to meet member and customer needs
• Oversee fleet maintenance facilities to ensure a cost-effective repair and maintenance program that maximizes equipment life cycle and provides a safe and dependable fleet of equipment
• Represent DFA regarding transportation-related matters with federal and state regulatory agencies and legislators as well as state and local trade organizations such as American Trucking Association
• Provide oversight in all areas of contract hauling/delivery service, including member/customer service satisfaction, route re-alignments and rate negotiations
• Maintain current knowledge of transportation field technological and management systems innovations, evaluate their applicability to mode of transportation, and seek to implement those with greatest potential benefit
• Ensure all DFA quality, safety, and good manufacturing practices (GMP) policies and procedures are adhered to
• The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee, but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Other duties may be assigned as required

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Undergraduate degree in related field required
• 10 or more years of distribution, logistics, and/or transportation experience, including 2 or more years of management experience
• Certification and/or License – may be required to obtain and maintain other certifications and/or licenses for continued employment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of dairy industry production practices, processes, regulations, and equipment
• Strong knowledge of distribution and transportation practices
• Strong understanding of DOT transportation regulations related to lawful operation
• Solid understanding of industry, safety, quality, etc., policies (PMO, OSHA, SQF, GMP)
• Able to lead others in the application of industry, distribution, transportation, safety, quality, etc., practices, processes, and regulations
• Knowledge of contemporary transportation and distribution practices
• Able to read, interpret, and analyze P&L statements and budgeting information
• Able to consider both strategic and practical implications for proposed course of action
• Able to elicit cooperation from variety of sources, including upper management, plant locations, and others
• Able to manage multiple various projects
• Solid knowledge of principles and practices of supervision, training, and personnel management
• Able to model leadership, coaching, and team building skills
• Able to use company computer applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, routing software, telematics and handhelds
• Able to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Able to adapt and manage to change effectively
• Able to determine direction though ambiguous situations
• Able to handle challenging or conflict situations with tact and professionalism
• Able to demonstrate strong initiative and follow through on commitments
• Must be able to read, write and speak English

Travel: 25% - 50% (up to 1 week per month)

An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans