Manager Trainee, May 2027

J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 51,000 - 63,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefit

Dental benefit

Vision benefit

401(k) retirement plan

Life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability

Paid time off

Job summary

J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. is seeking a Manager Trainee for May 2027 in Chicago.

The role focuses on learning management of a small driver count and non-traditional shifts, ensuring safe, on-time freight movement and top-tier customer service. You will train to meet DOT regulations and oversee driver compliance while coordinating with internal and external stakeholders. The program covers load planning, routing, and reporting with emphasis on safety culture and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with leadership exposure.
• Willingness to travel to account locations and events.
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed.
• Willingness to relocate regionally based on assignments.

Responsibilities

• Learn to build positive relationships with drivers and outside carriers.
• Fill in for absent personnel and support special projects.
• Train drivers and staff on internal and third-party systems.
• Analyze KPIs and present customer-specific reporting.
• Assist in payroll, budgeting, invoicing, and financial reports.
• Coordinate fleet maintenance and safety compliance.

Skills

Team management

Shift flexibility

Customer service

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Transportation/Logistics or related field

High School Diploma/GED with 1 year management/transportation experience

Job description

Job Title: Manager Trainee, May 2027

Department: Supply Chain

Country: United States of America

State/Province: Illinois

City: Chicago

Full/Part Time: Full time

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

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Learn to 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 on special projects related to optimizing fleet operations and achieving profitability
• Learn to utilize personnel management including training and orientation of drivers and/or employees including the training and assistance with internal and third party (customer) systems
• Become proficient in maximizing efficiency of fleet operations and profitability and making recommendations for continuous improvement, measuring key performance indicators, and creating, maintaining and presenting customer specific reporting and financial analysis through face-to-face interactions at customer location
• Gain knowledge on how to manage inventory, assets, customer pools and/or assignment of drivers to balance equipment in market
• Learn to perform administrative duties such as payroll, management of the Net-Revenue budget, driver counseling, accident reviews, filing and documenting, resolving pay issues, analyzing P&L statements, invoicing and/or creating operational or financial reports
• Learn to manage yard including checking/inspecting equipment, replacing parts (like mud flaps), completing repairs, etc., and coordinating with maintenance to ensure all regular preventative maintenance services are scheduled on time and all safety related mechanical issues are fixed for account equipment (as required)
• Learn to work with drivers, customers, and company personnel to resolve service issues, routing and/or planning, mechanical problems, accessorial pay related issues, etc., as they occur throughout the day and, where necessary, when on call
• Learn to maintain the Company's safety culture to include daily driver safety messages, monthly driver safety briefings, quarterly driver training, annual reviews, and enforce company policies to ensure DOT compliance and company safety requirements are being met
• Learn to assign loads and plan, route, and monitor freight movement to provide safe, on-time service and meet customer requirements, including managing freight exceptions and driver ETA adjustments based on pick-up and delivery schedules, and other environmental factors on the road

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Transportation/Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field OR High School Diploma/GED with 1 year of experience in management, transportation/logistics, business administration, account management, or related field, and/or equivalent military experience
• Willing to travel to account, customer, and company event locations when applicable
• Ability to work across multiple shifts including nights and/or weekends if needed
• Willingness to regionally relocate dependent on account assignment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing a team
• Anticipate, recognize, and deal effectively with existing or potential conflicts at the individual, group, or situation level
• Ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment
• Ability to adapt to changing environments
• Ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers
• Ability to meet or exceed team/driver needs and expectations and provide excellent service in a direct or indirect manner
• Ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas through various mediums
• Ability to recognize, anticipate, and resolve organizational, operational, or process problems

The expected starting pay range for this position is between $50,700 to $63,400.

This position is not eligible for employment-based sponsorship.

Compensation

Factors which may affect starting pay within this range may include skills, education, experience, geography, and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position may be eligible for annual bonus and incentives based on profitability or volumes in accordance with the terms of the Company’s bonus and incentive plans, as applicable and in effect from time to time.

Benefits

• medical benefit
• dental benefit
• vision benefit
• 401(k) retirement plan
• life insurance
• short-term and long-term disability coverage
• paid time off commensurate with tenure (includes vacation and sick time)
• six weeks of paid maternity leave
• two weeks of paid parental leave
• six paid holidays annually

Education: Bachelors: Business Administration/Management, Bachelors: Supply Chain Management, Bachelors: Transportation Logistics, GED (Required), High School (Required)

Work Experience: Business Administration, Customer Service/Account Manager, Management-Entry Level, Transportation/Logistics

Certifications: Job Opening ID: 00642162 Manager Trainee, May 2027 (Open)

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.

Fortune 500 experience. Career advancement. Nationwide relocation possibilities.

Headquartered in Northwest Arkansas, J.B. Hunt is a dominant force in transportation and logistics, offering exciting career opportunities both at corporate and at field locations across the country.

There are a variety of job types that support our business, so no matter your passion, J.B. Hunt is the place to jumpstart your career.

Why J.B. Hunt?

J.B. Hunt is a leading transportation and logistics company for one simple reason – our people. The career possibilities and benefits of working at J.B. Hunt are endless. From competitive salary and benefits packages, to defined career paths and growth opportunities, we take care of our people and take great pride in our efforts to build and sustain an inclusive workplace for all employees.

What are we looking for?

J.B. Hunt welcomes high-energy, forward-thinking people of all backgrounds and experience levels to join our team. We offer full-time, entry level, professional and management opportunities across all departments. Whether you are fresh out of school or bring years of industry experience, a role at J.B. Hunt could take your career to the next level.