Inbound Logistics Manager — Carrier Strategy

Loffredo-Fresh-Foods; West Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401k with company match

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Bi-Weekly Pay / Daily Pay option

Employee purchase program

Job summary

Loffredo Fresh Foods seeks an entrepreneurial Inbound Logistics Manager to lead carrier networks, optimize freight strategies, and drive cost efficiencies at our Des Moines HQ. You will negotiate rates, run quarterly RFPs, and build trusted carrier partnerships to balance cost, service, and capacity across lanes.

The role requires hands-on logistics experience, strong analytics, and collaboration with procurement, operations, and warehouse teams to improve profitability and service levels.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in logistics, freight, or transportation.
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience managing carrier networks, RFPs, rate negotiations, and transportation strategy.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights.
• Experience tracking and managing transportation KPIs and performance.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to identify opportunities, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.
• Strategic thinker who can balance cost, service, and operational needs.
• Comfortable collaborating with procurement, operations, warehouse, and external carrier partners.

Responsibilities

• Build, vet, and manage a high-performing network of carriers and brokers, including leading quarterly RFPs, negotiating rates, and selecting the best partners for each lane.
• Develop and execute freight strategies that balance cost, service, capacity, and efficiency across carriers, lanes, and shuttle networks.
• Build strong carrier relationships, address performance issues, and manage scorecards and regular business reviews to maintain accountability and service levels.
• Partner with Procurement and Operations to optimize load building, consolidation, freight allocation, capacity utilization, shuttle backhauls, and transfer timing.
• Analyze freight costs, market trends, route efficiency, and vendor pricing to identify savings opportunities and improve transportation profitability.
• Identify and evaluate opportunities such as backhauls, shared loads, cross-docking, last-mile deliveries, 3PL services, and other strategies to improve efficiency and ROI.
• Oversee the load temperature tracking program and ensure visibility into incoming supplier loads.
• Monitor transportation KPIs and produce performance reports, while validating freight invoices, rates, fuel surcharges, and accessorial charges for accuracy.
• Lead special projects and continuous improvement initiatives that increase freight profitability, improve warehouse and transportation efficiency, and support broader supply chain goals.

Skills

Carrier networks

Rate negotiations

RFPs

Data analytics

KPIs tracking

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s in Supply Chain

Tools

TMS

ERP systems

Job description

Loffredo Fresh Foods seeks an entrepreneurial Inbound Logistics Manager to lead carrier networks, optimize freight strategies, and drive cost efficiencies at our Des Moines HQ. You will negotiate rates, run quarterly RFPs, and build trusted carrier partnerships to balance cost, service, and capacity across lanes.

The role requires hands-on logistics experience, strong analytics, and collaboration with procurement, operations, and warehouse teams to improve profitability and service levels.