Logistic Load Planner

Van-Hoekelen-Greenhouses,-Inc.; McAdoo (PA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off and holidays

401(k) with company match

Job summary

van Hoekelen Greenhouses, Inc. is seeking a motivated Logistic Load Planner to join our transportation team. This role coordinates shipments, optimizes truckloads, manages carrier relationships, and tracks delivery performance to reduce freight costs.

The candidate will work with a Transportation Management System (TMS), analyze data, and prepare reports to support management decisions. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Three or more years in transportation, logistics, load planning, fleet operations, or supply chain management preferred.
• Experience coordinating truckload shipments with third-party carriers and time-sensitive deliveries.
• Knowledge of FMCSA Hours of Service (HOS) regulations and electronic logging devices (ELD).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Outlook; strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Plan and optimize cost-effective shipments from orders.
• Consolidate shipments into truckloads considering timing, equipment, and costs.
• Coordinate daily/weekly shipping schedules to meet delivery commitments.
• Tender loads to third-party carriers and monitor acceptance and service performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce freight costs and improve truck utilization.

Tools

TMS software

Samsara ELD

Excel reporting tools

Job description

Position Summary

van Hoekelen Greenhouses, Inc. is seeking a motivated, analytical, and detail-oriented Logistic Load Planner to join our transportation team. This position is responsible for coordinating customer shipments, optimizing truckloads, managing carrier relationships, monitoring delivery performance, and identifying opportunities to improve transportation efficiency and reduce freight costs.

The ideal candidate will have experience in transportation operations, shipment planning, carrier coordination, and Transportation Management Systems (TMS). The successful candidate will be comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining effective communication with customers, carriers, drivers, and internal departments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Load Planning and Transportation Coordination

• Process customer orders and develop efficient, cost-effective shipment plans.
• Consolidate and optimize shipments into truckloads based on time sensitive delivery appointments, equipment availability, customer needs, and transportation costs.
• Coordinate daily and weekly shipping schedules to support customer delivery commitments.
• Tender loads to third-party carriers and monitor carrier acceptance and service performance.
• Identify opportunities to reduce freight costs, improve truck utilization, minimize empty miles, and increase transportation efficiency.
• Coordinates backhaul opportunities and alternative shipping arrangements when appropriate.
• Adjust load plans and transportation schedules as customer demand and operational requirements change.

Carrier and Delivery Management

• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with carriers, brokers, customers, and internal departments.
• Track shipments from pickup through delivery, monitor estimated arrival times, and communicate delays or service exceptions.
• Investigate and resolve transportation issues, including missed pickups, late deliveries, rejected tenders, and shipment disruptions.
• Develop recovery plans to minimize service interruptions and protect customer commitments.
• Monitor carrier performance, including on-time delivery, tender acceptance, and service reliability.
• Escalate significant transportation issues to management and recommend corrective actions.

Transportation Systems, Reporting, and Cost Control

• Maintain accurate shipment, load, and carrier information within the Transportation Management System (TMS).
• Complete daily transportation logs, shipment trackers, reports, and other required documentation.
• Analyze transportation data to identify trends, service concerns, operational inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Monitor transportation expenses and assist with freight cost analysis and budget management.
• Prepare reports that provide management with visibility into shipment activity, delivery performance, and transportation exceptions.
• Maintain accurate shipping documentation and assist with transportation audits and compliance requirements.

Fleet and Operational Support

• Provide coverage for the VHG Freight Manager as needed.
• Coordinate with drivers, fleet personnel, carriers, and other departments to support transportation operations.
• Assist with investigating transportation incidents and preparing documentation for trucking and cargo-related insurance claims.
• Support safe transportation practices and compliance with applicable company policies and transportation regulations.
• Participate in a shared on-call rotation and respond to urgent transportation issues as required.
• Provide clear shift-to-shift communication to ensure continuity of transportation operations.
• Perform other logistics and transportation duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or a related field required. Relevant transportation or logistics experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Three or more years of experience in transportation, logistics, load planning, fleet operations, or supply chain management preferred.
• Experience coordinating truckload shipments, working with third-party carriers, and managing time-sensitive deliveries.
• Experience using a Transportation Management System (TMS) or similar transportation planning software.
• Must have a thorough working knowledge of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours of Service (HOS) regulations and electronic logging device (ELD) requirements.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make timely decisions when transportation issues arise.
• Ability to identify operational inefficiencies and recommend practical solutions.
• Ability to recognize urgent situations and determine when management assistance is needed.
• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with customers, carriers, drivers, and coworkers.
• Flexibility to work first or second shift as needed.
• Willingness to participate in a shared on-call rotation.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with high-volume transportation operations and daily shipment planning.
• Knowledge of freight procurement, carrier negotiations, backhaul planning, and transportation cost management.
• Experience monitoring on-time performance, tender acceptance, and other transportation service metrics.
• Familiarity with fleet management, driver scheduling, and transportation compliance.
• Experience with Shipwell Transportation Management or comparable TMS platforms.
• Experience with Samsara ELD system or comparable ELD platforms.
• Experience using Excel reporting tools and transportation performance data to support operational decisions.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Load optimization and shipment planning
• Freight cost management and cost reduction
• Shipment tracking and exception resolution
• Transportation Management Systems
• Data analysis and reporting
• Customer service and communication
• Time management and prioritization
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Teamwork, accountability, and flexibility

Compensation, Benefits and Scheduling

The base annual salary for this position is $70,000, salary will be based on qualifications and relevant experience.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and holidays
• 401(k) with company match at the discretion of management

The position requires flexibility to work first or second shift as needed and participation in a shared on-call rotation to support time-sensitive transportation requirements.

van Hoekelen Greenhouses, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws.