Logistics Manager - Rail, Truck & Barge Transportation

Joseph Michaels International; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Joseph Michaels International is seeking an experienced Logistics Manager to oversee multimodal transportation operations for a large industrial facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. You will manage rail, truck, and inland waterway barge movements, optimize freight costs, and maintain carrier relationships to ensure on‑time delivery.

Required 5–7+ years in logistics, hands‑on multimodal experience, and a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of logistics experience in heavy industrial or large‑scale environments.
• Hands‑on experience coordinating rail, truck, and barge movements.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, or related field (or equivalent).

Responsibilities

• Oversee inbound and outbound transportation using rail, truck, and barge.
• Coordinate railcar scheduling, barge shipments, and highway freight movements.
• Negotiate freight rates and manage carrier contracts.
• Monitor transportation costs and KPIs to optimize performance.
• Develop relationships with railroad operators, barge companies, brokers, and providers.
• Optimize operations to improve delivery performance and reduce costs.
• Review shipping documentation including bills of lading and manifests.
• Coordinate inventory movements between facilities and customer sites.
• Ensure compliance with DOT, FRA, and transportation regulations.
• Utilize ERP and TMS to monitor shipments and analyze freight data.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in logistics efficiency.

Skills

Analytical skills

Negotiation

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher

Tools

ERP systems

TMS software

Job description

Logistics Manager – Rail, Truck & Barge Transportation

Location: Little Rock, AR

We are seeking an experienced Logistics Manager to oversee inbound and outbound transportation operations for a large industrial facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. This role requires hands‑on experience managing multimodal freight transportation, specifically rail, over‑the‑road trucking, and inland waterway barge operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for optimizing freight costs, managing carrier relationships, and ensuring efficient, timely movement of materials and products.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage inbound and outbound transportation utilizing rail, truck, and barge.
• Coordinate railcar scheduling, barge shipments, and over‑the‑road freight movements.
• Negotiate freight rates, manage carrier contracts, and monitor transportation costs and performance KPIs.
• Develop relationships with railroad operators, barge companies, freight brokers, and transportation providers.
• Optimize rail, port, and transloading operations to improve delivery performance and reduce costs.
• Oversee shipping documentation, including bills of lading, rail and barge manifests, and international shipping paperwork.
• Coordinate inventory movements between facilities, warehouses, yards, and customer locations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable DOT, FRA, and transportation regulations.
• Utilize ERP and Transportation Management Systems (TMS) to monitor shipments and analyze freight performance.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on logistics efficiency, cost reduction, and carrier performance.

Required Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of logistics experience, preferably in heavy industrial or large‑scale transportation environments.
• Hands‑on experience coordinating all three transportation modes: rail, truck, and inland waterway barge.
• Strong knowledge of railcar scheduling, railroad coordination, and rail fleet operations.
• Experience managing barge transportation on inland river systems.
• Experience negotiating freight contracts and managing third‑party transportation providers.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and transportation management software.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Mississippi and Arkansas River transportation networks.
• Familiarity with port operations, transloading, and intermodal logistics.
• Knowledge of international shipping, customs, and export compliance.
• Lean supply chain or Six Sigma training or certification.