Outbound Freight Manager

Top Quality Recruitment (TQR); Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Top Quality Recruitment (TQR) is seeking an Outbound Freight Manager to optimize outbound transportation across multiple plants in Minnesota. You will oversee carrier negotiations, inspect routing options, and drive cost efficiencies while ensuring compliance with policies and regulations.

The role requires at least five years of freight cost negotiation experience and a college degree. A strong emphasis on collaboration with plant teams and leadership is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years negotiating freight costs and analyzing freight data is required.
• Customer service experience and a college degree are desired.
• Experience with freight cost optimization and cost control across multiple plants is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee outbound freight operations to maximize plant profitability.
• Identify outside haulers and negotiate rates to reduce freight costs.
• Coordinate with plant Transportation Managers to ensure timely, cost-effective shipments.
• Analyze freight data across all plants to share best practices and lift profitability.
• Lead weekly cost reviews with the Director of Operations and resolve variances.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Distribution experience

FMCG industry knowledge

Negotiation experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Outbound Freight Manager will be responsible for overseeing and optimizing all outbound transportation operations. This role ensures the timely, cost-effective, and efficient delivery of goods to customers while maintaining compliance with company policies and transportation regulations.

Key Activities

• The overall focus of managing outbound freight cost is to maximize profitability at each plant
• Identifying new outside haulers using load boards and research in an effort to reduce freight costs
• Working with Transportation Managers based at each plant location to ensure that weekly shipments occur on time, at the least cost, and without negative incidents.
• Compare data from all company plants to identify opportunities to increase profits by adopting best practices between plants.
• Weekly reviews of results and performance with the Director of Operations
• Monthly reviews of results to investigate variances in freight billed vs. freight paid-communicate to resolve any material differences
• Negotiating with trucking firms directly, as well as coaching Transportation Managers on negotiating with trucking firms to achieve results.
• Reviewing weekly freight costs and analyzing results using existing tools, developing new tools as needed, and identifying new cost savings opportunities
• Conducting weekly calls with each plant to review cost/ton, cost/trip, and cost/mile
• Explore backhaul possibilities to maximize efficiency and reduce costs
• Analyzing and proposing, in a business case if justified, the company develops its own outbound freight trucking on designated “lanes”.
• Understanding the end customer and their needed delivery trailer (e.g., hopper bottom, walking floor, end dump)

Preferred Skills

• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, or the FMCG industry.
• Knowledge of international shipping, customs, and compliance.
• Lean/Six Sigma certification is a plus.

Educations & Experience

• A minimum of five years of experience negotiating/analyzing freight costs is required.
• Customer service experience and a college degree are desired.

Finding a great opportunity that fosters growth, a great culture, and leadership opportunities can be difficult. Top Quality Recruitment (TQR) connects professionals with leadership opportunities across the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Medical Devices, and Biotechnology industries. With 50+ years of experience, we believe in one-to-one communication and finding the best candidate/employer match possible.

TQR is an equal-opportunity employer that encourages diversity. We will consider all applications.

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request.

We thank all applicants for their interest and appreciate the time and effort involved; however, due to the large volume of resumes received only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Please attached your resume to your application.