Manager Trainee - January 2026

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.; Hamilton (OH); On-site; USD 51,719 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

Paid time off

Paid maternity and parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. in Hamilton, Ohio, is looking for an Entry Level Management professional to oversee small driver operations. The role involves ensuring the safety and efficiency of freight movement and compliance with DOT regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree or relevant experience and must be adaptable to varying shifts. The position offers a salary range of $51,719.85 to $63,000, plus benefits including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED with up to 4 years of experience or Bachelor's degree.
• Willingness to work across multiple shifts including nights and/or weekends.

Responsibilities

• Manage small driver count and non-traditional shifts for timely service.
• Build relationships with drivers and outside carriers.
• Maximize efficiency of fleet operations for profitability.
• Perform administrative duties and resolve service issues.
• Promote a safety culture and enforce compliance.

Skills

Effective communication skills

Conflict resolution

Analytical decision-making

Adaptability

Building relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Management

High School Diploma/GED

Job description

Job Summary

Under general supervision, this position is responsible for learning the management of small driver count and/or non‑traditional shifts (including nights and weekends), ensuring safe and timely service movement of freight, load assignment, and providing best‑in‑class customer service. The position will be trained to ensure compliance with DOT regulations and is responsible for all drivers’ compliance and company regulations while working with internal and external contacts to ensure accurate planning, routing, monitoring, and delivery of freight.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain positive professional relationships with drivers and safe, reliable outside carriers to ensure seamless new carrier set‑up, minimize turnover, and maximize ongoing productivity.
• Fill in for absent or unavailable personnel and work on special projects related to optimizing fleet operations and achieving profitability.
• Utilize personnel management, including training and orientation of drivers and/or employees, and provide assistance with internal and third‑party (customer) systems.
• Maximize efficiency of fleet operations and profitability, make recommendations for continuous improvement, measure key performance indicators, and create and present customer‑specific reporting and financial analysis.
• Manage inventory, assets, customer pools, and/or assignment of drivers to balance equipment in market.
• Perform administrative duties such as payroll, Net‑Revenue budget management, driver counseling, accident reviews, filing and documentation, resolving pay issues, analyzing P&L statements, invoicing, and creating operational or financial reports.
• Manage the yard, including equipment inspection, part replacement, repairs, and coordination with maintenance for scheduled preventive maintenance and safety fixes.
• Resolve service issues, routing and planning problems, mechanical problems, accessorial pay issues, and other issues as they occur, including on‑call responsibilities.
• Promote a safety culture with daily driver safety messages, monthly briefings, quarterly training, annual reviews, and enforce DOT compliance and company safety requirements.
• Assign loads, plan, route, and monitor freight movement to provide safe, on‑time service, manage exceptions, and adjust driver ETA based on schedules and environmental factors.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

• High School Diploma/GED with up to 4 years of equivalent education, experience, and training, and/or currently enrolled and working toward a degree program with up to 2 years of experience, and/or Bachelor’s degree; must be willing to work across multiple shifts including nights and/or weekends and travel to account, customer, and company event locations when applicable.

Preferred Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree plus 1 year of equivalent experience.

Skills & Abilities

• Anticipate, recognize, and deal effectively with conflicts.
• Accurately analyze situations and make productive decisions.
• Adapt to changing environments.
• Establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
• Meet or exceed team/driver needs and expectations, providing excellent service.
• Effective communication skills.
• Recognize, anticipate, and resolve organizational, operational, or process problems.

Compensation

Salary Range: $51,719.85–$63,000. Actual compensation may vary based on experience and skill set. The position may also be eligible for annual bonus and incentives based on profitability or volumes.

This position is not eligible for employment‑based sponsorship.

Benefits

The company offers medical, dental, and vision benefits, a 401(k) retirement plan, life insurance, short‑term and long‑term disability coverage, paid time off commensurate with tenure (including vacation and sick time), six weeks of paid maternity leave, two weeks of paid parental leave, and six paid holidays annually.

Education

Bachelor’s: Business Administration/Management or Business Communications; GED (required); High School (required).

Work Experience

Management – Entry Level; Transportation/Logistics.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. is committed to basing employment decisions on the principles of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, or other bases by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.