Fleet Planner

KOCH; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 66,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

KOCH is seeking a Fleet Planner at our Minneapolis corporate office to coordinate freight movement, maximize asset utilization, manage local drivers, and support planning productivity across lanes.

You will proactively assign loads, analyze routing and hours-of-service constraints, collaborate with account managers, driver managers, and operations, and ensure compliant, cost-effective operations in a fast-paced transportation environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in fleet planning, dispatch, load planning, or transportation operations.
• Experience working with transportation management software and freight optimization tools.
• Experience planning over-the-road truckload freight in a multi-region operation.

Responsibilities

• Plan and assign freight to maximize equipment utilization while meeting customer service expectations.
• Develop and maintain understanding of customers, freight lanes, shippers, consignees, and requirements to pre-plan freight.
• Coordinate with Account Managers, Driver Managers, and Operations to ensure freight is planned efficiently and customer commitments are met.
• Evaluate routing decisions, including deadhead mileage, and escalte exceptions when appropriate.
• Ensure all load assignments comply with applicable regulations, including Hours of Service requirements.

Skills

Fleet planning experience

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Tools

Transportation management software

Freight optimization tools

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Corporate Office - Minneapolis, MN 55422

Position Type: Full Time

Salary Range: $65,800.00 - $74,500.00 Salary

Job Shift: Day

Job Summary

The Fleet Planner is responsible for planning and coordinating freight movement to meet customercommitments while maximizing the efficient utilization of company assets and driver capacity. This position also manages local drivers to assist planning productivity. This position proactively plans freight assignments, balances operational priorities, and works to keep company equipment within designated freight lanes whenever practical. The Fleet Planner ensures loads are assigned in a safe, efficient, compliant, and cost-effective manner while considering customer requirements, operational objectives, and driver needs. Success in this role requires strong decision-making, attention to detail, collaboration across departments, and the ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced transportation environment.

Essential Job Functions

• Plan and assign freight to maximize equipment utilization while meeting customer service expectations.


• Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of assigned customers, freight lanes, shippers, consignees, and operational requirements to effectively pre-plan freight.


• Manage local driver fleet to increase productivity and driver utilization.


• Work with fright brokers to secured loads when needed to move company equipment.


• Coordinate with Account Managers, Driver Managers, and Operations to ensure freight is planned efficiently and customer commitments are met.


• Evaluate routing decisions, including deadhead mileage, and escalte exceptions when appropriate.


• Ensure all load assignments comply with applicable federal, state, local, and company regulations, including Hours of Service requirements.


• Review load rates, fuel surcharges, and accessorial charges for accuracy and alignment with company pricing guidelines.


• Plan high-security freight to minimize theft exposure while maintaining operational efficiency.


• Monitor driver Hours of Service and operational availability to assign freight safely and compliantly.


• Coordinate load rescheduling, relays, and load transfers to improve service, maximize driver productivity, and meet operational needs.


• Ensure freight opportunities are distributed fairly and consistently across company drivers.


• Communicate complete and accurate load information to drivers, Driver Managers, Account Managers, and other stakeholders.


• Support customers and drivers by providing routing information, directions, and operational assistance as needed.


• Collaborate with other Fleet Planners and Operations personnel to provide workload coverage and maintain continuity across fleets


• Participate in weekend coverage rotations and adjust work schedules as needed to support customer and operational requirements.


• Assist in afterhours questions/issues regarding fleets assigned.


• Complete required regulatory and company training, including Hours of Service and hazardous materials training, as applicable.

Qualifications

• Experience in fleet planning, dispatch, load planning, or transportation operations.


• Experience working with transportation management software and freight optimization tools.


• Experience planning over-the-road truckload freight in a multi-region operation.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of transportation operations, freight planning, and regulatory compliance.


• Ability to prioritize multiple competing demands in a fast-paced environment.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound operational decisions.


• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.


• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with drivers, customers, and internal partners.


• Ability to build productive working relationships across multiple departments.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Windows-based computer applications.


• Ability to analyze operational data and make recommendations that improve efficiency and profitability.


• Ability to maintain professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment when interacting with employees, customers, and the public.


• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a collaborative operations team.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit for up to 90% of the workday using a computer, phone, keyboard, and mouse


• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and stoop for the remaining time


• Ability to lift up to 15 pounds