Entry-Level Transportation Sales Representative

CJ Logistics America; Des Plaines (IL); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Earned wage access

Advancement opportunities

Performance culture

Job summary

CJ Logistics America is hiring an Entry-Level Transportation Sales Representative in Des Plaines, IL. You will develop relationships with prospective clients, coordinate freight movements, and manage daily account activities in a hybrid work setting.

Ideal candidates have a business-related degree, 0–2 years in customer-facing roles, and a strong desire to build a career in logistics sales. Proficiency with CRM tools and MS Office is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in business, sales, marketing, or logistics.
• 0–2 years in customer service, retail, sales internships, or client-facing roles.
• Desire to build a career in sales with willingness to learn sales strategies and industry processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to engage prospective clients.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail for outreach and lead tracking.
• Familiarity with CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot) and sales tools.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Active listening to understand client goals and pain points.
• Interest in fast-paced CPG, food & beverage, and retail supply chains.
• Internship experience in sales, business development, or account management.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships with mid-market and emerging accounts.
• Coordinate freight movements and manage day-to-day account operations.
• Prospect potential freight clients via calls, email outreach, and market research.
• Collaborate with senior reps to pitch solutions and negotiate rates.
• Log daily sales activity using CRM and TMS systems.
• Prepare basic quotes, rate proposals, and presentations.
• Maintain accurate customer profiles and billing files.
• Track daily activity metrics to meet team goals.
• Own assigned tasks and streamline client workflows.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Relationship building

Active listening

Organizational skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Business/Sales/Marketing/Logistics)

Tools

Salesforce

HubSpot

MS Office

Job description

Who We Are And Why We're Hiring

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.

Who We Are And Why We're Hiring

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.

Position Overview

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.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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.

Physical Requirements

This is largely a sedentary role requiring the physical ability to:

• Sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk while working on a computer
• Use hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, mouse, and telephone
• Speak and hear clearly in person, virtually, and over the phone
• Occasionally stand, walk, reach, stoop, or lift up to 10 pounds

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and printers. The work environment is typically quiet to moderate in noise level and is climate controlled.

Location/Remote Eligibility

This is a hybrid role based out of our Des Plaines, IL office. Regular, on-site presence is required (4) days per week or as otherwise directed by the company. The role may be performed in a hybrid work setting (combination of on-site and/or remote), depending on business needs and location eligibility. When working remote, employees are expected to maintain a dedicated, distraction-free, confidential workspace and reliable internet connection.

Schedule

Work hours may vary by shift assignment and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on business needs.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings
• Paid time offTuition assistance
• Early access to earned wages
• High performance culture with a continuous improvement mindset
• Opportunities for advancement!

CJ Logistics About Statement

At CJ Logistics, we value diversity, equity, and an inclusive workplace. 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. We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and 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 related 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. This job posting sets forth the essential job duties and responsibilities for the position. An employee assigned to this position must be able to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. The Company will provide reasonable accommodation(s) to a disabled employee in accordance with, and as required by, applicable law. This job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all 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. Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and other applicable federal, state, or local fair chance laws, the Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law. CJ Logistics participates in the E-Verify program. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or support for work authorization. CJ Logistics is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing equal access to applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation or wish to request an alternative, non-automated evaluation process due to a disability,