Load Planner

Jetro Restaurant Depot; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Restaurant Depot is seeking a Load Planner to manage inbound and outbound transportation, ensuring timely, cost-effective product flow across the network. The role supports efficiency by tracking shipments, updating systems, and collaborating with operations, buying, carriers, and branches.

The candidate will monitor ETAs, communicate delays, and contribute to reporting and process improvements to optimize delivery performance.

Qualifications

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage daily inbound and outbound shipments in the TMS with ETA accuracy.
• Update internal systems with real-time shipment status.
• Monitor shipments and communicate delays and cost impacts.
• Coordinate with carriers, vendors, operations, and branches.
• Support lane pricing with bidding tools for spot quotes and RFPs.
• Negotiate freight rates to balance cost and service.
• Identify systemic issues affecting delivery performance.
• Prioritize workload based on impact and urgency.
• Generate and distribute daily, weekly, monthly reports.
• Maintain cross-department communication on shipment status.

Skills

Multitasking in high-volume env

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Analytical & problem-solving

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Office

Job description

JOB DETAILS

Restaurant Depot is the nation's leading members-only, wholesale cash-and-carry supplier serving independent restaurants, caterers, delis, convenience stores, and other foodservice businesses across 165+ locations in 35 states. Our stores offer bulk quantities of fresh meat, seafood, produce, dairy, frozen foods, grocery items, beverages, paper goods, cleaning supplies, restaurant equipment, and more. Open seven days a week, we are committed to delivering quality products, competitive pricing, and exceptional service to our members.

Job Summary

The Load Planner is responsible for managing inbound & outbound transportation activities to ensure timely, cost-effective product flow across the network. This role supports operational efficiency by tracking shipments, maintaining system accuracy, resolving delays & partnering cross-functionally with operations, buying, carriers & branch teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily inbound & outbound shipments within the TMS, ensuring accurate tracking of ETAs & estimated warehouse arrival dates
• Maintain & update internal systems with real-time shipment status & transportation data
• Monitor shipments & proactively communicate delays, failed loads, OS&D issues & cost impacts to leadership
• Coordinate with carriers, vendors, operations, buying teams & branch locations to resolve delivery issues
• Support lane pricing by utilizing bidding tools for spot quotes & assisting with RFP processes
• Negotiate freight rates to support cost control while maintaining service expectations
• Identify & address systemic issues impacting delivery performance, including carrier reliability, vendor execution & branch scheduling challenges
• Prioritize workload based on operational impact, shipment urgency & business needs
• Generate & distribute daily, weekly & monthly transportation reports
• Maintain consistent communication across departments to ensure alignment on shipment status & issue resolution

Qualifications

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a high-volume environment
• Strong communication & interpersonal skills, both written & verbal
• Exceptional attention to detail & organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with a strong emphasis on Excel
• Strong analytical & problem-solving abilities