Entry-Level Transportation Sales Representative

CJ Logistics America; Des Plaines (IL); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

CJ Logistics America is hiring an entry-level Transportation Sales Representative in Des Plaines, IL. You will build client relationships, coordinate freight movements, and support day-to-day account operations in a fast-paced logistics environment.

Ideal candidates have 0–2 years of related experience, strong communication and organizational skills, and a willingness to learn CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot. Hybrid work weeks and comprehensive benefits are offered to support growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• 0–2 years of experience in customer service, retail, sales internships, or client-facing roles.
• Strong desire to build a career in sales with eagerness to learn sales strategies and industry processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational and detail-oriented to manage daily outreach and lead tracking.
• Familiarity with CRM software and sales tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with CPG, Food & Beverage, and retail supply chains is a plus.
• Internship experience in sales, business development, or account management.

Responsibilities

• Prospect mid-market accounts and build relationships to drive sales growth.
• Identify and prospect potential freight clients via cold calls, emails, and market research.
• Collaborate with senior reps to pitch logistics solutions and negotiate rates.
• Communicate with active customers for status updates and feedback on service quality.
• Use TMS/CRM to track leads and log daily activity.
• Coordinate with carrier teams to schedule pickups and monitor shipments.
• Learn new logistics software and freight pricing models.
• Prepare basic freight quotes, rate proposals, and sales presentations.
• Maintain accurate customer profiles, load docs, and billing files.
• Track daily activity metrics to align with team goals.
• Own assigned tasks and streamline client workflows.

Skills

Communication

Organization

Active listening

Problem solving

Customer relationship

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related discipline

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or support for work authorization.

Now Hiring: Entry-Level Transportation Sales Representative

We are seeking an energetic and goal-driven Entry-Level Transportation Sales Representative to join our growing logistics team. In this role, you will build relationships with prospective clients, coordinate freight movements, and manage day-to-day account operations. This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive individual looking to launch a rewarding career in supply chain and logistics.

What You'll Do

Business Development & Communication

• You will actively prospect mid-market and emerging accounts ($25M–$250M revenue) where supply chain execution directly impacts shelf presence and retail success. Your primary focus will be building relationships with fast-growing businesses spending $2.5M to $25M on freight, helping them optimize their inbound and outbound transportation networks.
• Identifies and prospects potential freight clients through cold calls, email outreach, and market research.
• Collaborates with senior sales reps to pitch logistics solutions and negotiate competitive shipping rates.
• Communicates regularly with active customers to provide status updates and gather feedback on service quality.

Operations & Technical Execution

• Utilizes internal transportation management software (TMS) and CRM tools to track leads and log daily sales activity.
• Coordinates directly with carrier operations teams to schedule pickups, monitor shipments, and resolve transit delays.
• Demonstrates a strong willingness to learn new logistics software, industry trends, and freight pricing models.

Account Administration & Organization

• Prepares basic freight quotes, rate proposals, and sales presentations for prospective accounts.
• Organizes and maintains accurate customer profiles, load documentation, and billing files.
• Tracks daily activity metrics to ensure personal performance aligns with overarching team sales goals.

Leadership & Initiative

• Takes ownership of assigned operational tasks and proactively identifies ways to streamline client workflows.

What You Bring to the Table

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related discipline (or equivalent practical experience).
• 0–2 years of experience in customer service, retail, sales internships, or client-facing roles.
• Strong desire to build a career in sales, with an eagerness to learn sales strategies and industry processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build rapport and engage effectively with potential clients.
• Strong organizational skills and detail-orientation to manage daily outreach and lead tracking.
• Problem‑solving mindset with an aptitude for learning customer needs and recommending practical solutions.
• Familiarity or willingness to learn CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) and sales communication tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Strong active listening skills to understand prospective clients' goals, priorities, and pain points.
• We are especially eager to bring on talent who understand the fast‑paced nature of CPG, Food & Beverage, and retail supply chains. Candidates who appreciate the critical importance of on‑time delivery, compliance, and proactive communication in high‑velocity freight environments will be a natural fit for our team.
• Internship experience in sales, business development, or account management.

What's In It for You

• Hybrid work schedule with 4 days in-office in Des Plaines, IL and one day remote
• Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Your base pay is one part of your total compensation package. We anticipate this role to pay a base salary between $66,500-$75,000 per year, but actual base pay will depend on the successful candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience.
• Competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package.
• Full health insurance (medical, dental, and vision).
• 401(k), life insurance, and tuition assistance.
• Paid time off to rest and recharge.
• An open‑door work environment that values feedback and collaboration.
• Opportunities for career advancement within a growing company.
• Occasional travel required for training, customer meetings, or industry events (up to 10–15%). Flexible hours may occasionally be required to support client needs.

CJ Logistics About Statement

At CJ Logistics America, we know that we do our best work when we have an inclusive and diverse team, where we can draw on our different life experiences to help us deliver innovative solutions for our customers. We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity, equity, and an inclusive workplace. Research shows that while men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria, women and other marginalized people tend to only when they check every box. So if you think you might be a good fit for the role, but don't necessarily meet every single requirement on the job posting, we still encourage you to apply. CJ Logistics delivers integrated and multimodal logistics services, connecting every corner of the world via air, sea and land. As a lead logistics partner (LLP), third‑party logistics provider (3PL) and supply chain consultant, we help customers leverage supply chain management as a competitive advantage, reducing total system costs, transforming business processes, improving service and facilitating growth and change. With a focus on social responsibility and sustainability through growth with customers and communities, we prioritize the wellbeing of the end consumer, our customers and our employees. CJ Logistics is responsible for the North America region, specializing in solutions for regulated industries such as food and beverage, consumer‑packaged goods, healthcare and medical supplies, and tire and automotive. CJ Logistics is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We prohibit discrimination and/or harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and/or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or relation medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military statue, disability (physical or mental) medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Additionally, CJ Logistics participates in the E‑Verify program in certain locations. At this time, CJ Logistics America is unable to offer visa sponsorship or support for work authorization. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.