Linehaul Coordinator

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) plan

PTO

Job summary

Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc in Chicago seeks a Linehaul Coordinator to drive daily linehaul execution, maximize asset utilization, and protect service performance in a fast-paced network. You will coordinate with ICs, service centers, dispatch, and operations leadership to keep freight moving safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

The role demands strong planning, data-driven decisions, and the ability to balance customer commitments with operational priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education, training and relevant experience.
• 2-3 years of transportation, logistics, dispatch, operations coordination, or related experience.
• Strong understanding of transportation operations, routing, load planning, scheduling, and resource coordination.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and multitasking capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Execute Daily Linehaul Operations Plan, coordinate and execute daily freight movement across the linehaul network.
• Maximize Independent Contractor Utilization by managing ICs and aligning freight assignments.
• Optimize capacity by coordinating purchased transportation resources and negotiating rates with external carriers.
• Drive service and cost performance using operational reporting and performance tools.
• Strengthen cross-functional execution with customer service, dispatch, operations, and service center teams.

Skills

Linehaul operations

Independent contractors

Load planning

Forecasting capacity

Data analysis

MS Office

TMS tools

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent experience considered

Tools

MS Excel

AS/400

McLeod

Transportation Management Systems

Job description

The Linehaul Coordinator plays a critical role in ensuring the efficient movement of freight across the transportation network while maximizing asset utilization, controlling costs, and protecting service performance. This position sits at the center of daily linehaul execution, balancing customer commitments, operational priorities, contractor engagement, and network capacity decisions in a fast-paced environment. Success in this role requires exceptional planning, strong operational judgment, and the ability to make informed decisions in real time. The Linehaul Coordinator serves as a key link between Independent Contractors, service centers, dispatch teams, customer service, and operations leadership to ensure freight moves safely, efficiently, and on schedule. This is a mission-critical role responsible for driving network reliability, optimizing transportation resources, and contributing directly to operational performance, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

What you’ll do

• 1. Execute Daily Linehaul Operations Plan, coordinate, and execute daily freight movement across the linehaul network. Review available freight and determine the most effective transportation mode based on capacity, service requirements, and cost. Ensure load plans are accurately executed and successfully completed across assigned regions. Coordinate closely with service centers, dispatch teams, and fellow Linehaul Coordinators to maintain network continuity. Monitor load performance and identify operational risks before they impact service.
• 2. Maximize Independent Contractor Utilization Manage daily communication and planning activities with an assigned group of Independent Contractors (ICs). Assess contractor earnings opportunities and align freight assignments to maximize productivity and utilization. Utilize pre-planning strategies to secure future load commitments while optimizing available hours of service. Develop strong working relationships with contractors to improve communication, engagement, and operational performance. Provide consistent guidance regarding safety expectations, operational procedures, and business requirements.
• 3. Optimize Capacity and Transportation Resources Coordinate purchased transportation resources to ensure adequate network coverage. Negotiate rates with external carriers and power providers while maintaining service and cost objectives. Leverage available transportation management tools to source capacity and secure the most efficient coverage. Broadcast available loads and evaluate marketplace opportunities to minimize disruptions. Balance internal and external transportation resources to support network performance goals.
• 4. Drive Service and Cost Performance Monitor freight movement, contractor productivity, and transportation execution using operational reporting and performance tools. Identify opportunities to reduce empty miles, improve routing efficiency, and increase asset utilization. Review service outcomes and address execution gaps to ensure customer commitments are met. Analyze operational challenges and recommend process or planning improvements that enhance overall network effectiveness. Support continuous improvement efforts focused on cost control, productivity, and service quality.
• 5. Strengthen Cross-Functional Execution Partner with customer service, dispatch, operations, and service center teams to resolve transportation issues. Communicate delays, disruptions, or resource constraints and implement effective recovery plans. Ensure effective shift-to-shift and team-to-team handoffs to maintain operational consistency. Provide timely and accurate updates regarding load status, contractor activity, and network performance. Support special projects, operational initiatives, and other business priorities as assigned.

What you bring

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.
• 2-3 years of transportation, logistics, supply chain, dispatch, operations coordination, or related experience.
• Strong understanding of transportation operations, routing, load planning, scheduling, and resource coordination.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Exceptional organizational, planning, and multitasking capabilities.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong computer skills including data entry, reporting, record management, and spreadsheet analysis.
• Experience utilizing transportation management systems and operational planning tools.
• Preferred knowledge of AS/400 and McLeod software platforms.
• Ability to analyze operational data and leverage reporting tools to support decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within less-than-truckload (LTL), truckload, transportation, logistics, freight, or supply chain operations.
• Previous experience working directly with independent contractors or third-party transportation providers.
• Exposure to carrier procurement, rate negotiations, or transportation capacity management.
• Leadership or team coordination experience in an operational environment.

Communication & Business Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with contractors, customers, service providers, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business, operational, and regulatory information.
• Capable of handling confidential and sensitive business information with professionalism and discretion.

How you operate

• You think in systems, not tasks.
• You make decisions using data, operational insight, and sound judgment.
• You own outcomes and proactively solve problems before they become disruptions.
• You communicate clearly, professionally, and with urgency.
• You build productive relationships and establish credibility quickly.
• You maintain composure and effectiveness in a fast-moving environment.
• You balance customer expectations, operational realities, and business objectives.
• You prioritize effectively and adapt quickly as conditions change.
• You challenge inefficiencies and seek opportunities for continuous improvement.
• You execute with accountability and attention to detail.

Compensation & Setup

Base salary: $55,000–$63,000 per year

Location: Onsite | Chicago, IL

Shift: 3rd Shift/Night Shift

Benefits: Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and PTO.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach/handle items, work with fingers, distance vision (clear vision at 20 feet or more), color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, ability to adjust focus and talk and hear others in conversations via the phone or in person.

The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and lift objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Environment The noise level is moderate based on general conversation tones, ringing phones and printer operation. Works in well-lighted, heated and/or air-conditioned indoor office/shop environment with adequate ventilation.

* The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the position and are not intended to be all inclusive. The position and any of the requirements listed above are subject to change at any time according to the changing needs of the company.

* Roadrunner is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind.

* We will not accept unsolicited candidates from external recruiters or recruiting agencies. Thank you! #LI-OnsiteChicago, IL

Roadrunner is for ambitious, smart people who excel at execution over talking about it, and who would rather invent the next standard in freight than accept the status quo. We are looking for the Best of the Best. Action driven leaders who want to be part of real change and help design the future of LTL in the U.S. This is a place where high performers can grow, influence outcomes, and make an impact while working directly with executives and smart people from across industries. We bring a winner mindset. We take ownership, raise the bar, and measure ourselves by results. We Run Safe. We Run Smart. We Run Together. These principles create an environment of high standards, clear ownership, and direct collaboration. We trust data over intuition, move with urgency, and hold each other accountable because winning requires it. Roadrunner exists to prove that LTL can be better than the industry has settled for. To be the best means we need to think bigger, look outside the box, and question every assumption: too many handoffs, limited visibility, and the quiet belief that “this is just how it works.” We rejected that story. We built a proprietary Smart Network for direct, long haul, metro to metro service that delivers fewer touches, faster transit, real time visibility, and genuine accountability. We are the most tech forward company in LTL, and we are not finished widening the gap. The foundation is already strong. Recognized as one of Built In Chicago’s Best Large Places to Work. Earning top marks for improvement, quality, and service. The real opportunity is still ahead: helping invent what comes next. If you want to be evaluated among the Best of the Best and help set the new standard in LTL, we should talk.