Planning Analyst

Colonial Group; Des Plaines (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Colonial Group in Des Plaines, IL is seeking a Planning Analyst to oversee Transportation planning for multiple products, ensuring budget adherence and operational excellence. You will design load plans, coordinate with shippers, and monitor capacity to optimize profitability.

Ideal candidates bring 3+ years in Transportation, strong analytics, and excellent communication. This hybrid role requires collaboration with stakeholders and regular KPI reporting in a fast-paced office setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Transportation or Supply Chain Management.
• 3+ years of experience in Transportation.
• Knowledge of applicable Transportation regulations and best practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suites (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google applications.
• TMS experience is a plus.
• Experience in a Transportation planning role preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proven ability to work within a team.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in the written, verbal, or scheduled form.
• Results-oriented with good planning, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle situations, issues, and information with sound judgment, diplomacy, and sensitivity in a fast-paced environment.
• May be required to be on call and work as part of a Saturday rotation.

Responsibilities

• Utilize routing information to create load plans for designated shipping locations, ensuring profitability and cost efficiency.
• Communicate with the shipper for production issues.
• Check warehouse capacity before tendering loads.
• Plan customer returns for effective and timely processing.
• Conduct daily update calls with the stakeholders.
• Create daily summary reports and circulate to the leadership team.
• Identify, measure and manage key performance indicators.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Transportation or Supply Chain Management

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Google Workspace

TMS

Job description

Schedule: M-F, 8:00am - 5:00pm CST

Incentive eligible: No

Position Overview

The Planning Analyst is responsible for overseeing the Transportation planning process for various customer products. While adhering to customer needs, the Analyst will ensure we stay within budgetary goals. This position requires a strategic thinker and problem solver to support CJ Logistics America’s customers on a daily basis and ensure operational excellence.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Utilize routing information to create load plans for designated shipping locations, ensuring profitability and cost efficiency
• Communicate with the shipper for production issues
• Check warehouse capacity before tendering loads
• Plan customer returns for effective and timely processing
• Conduct daily update calls with the stakeholders
• Create daily summary reports and circulate to the leadership team
• Identify, measure and manage key performance indicators
• Additional duties as assigned

Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree; specialization in Logistics, Transportation or Supply Chain Management is preferred
• 3+ years of previous experience in Transportation
• Knowledge of applicable Transportation regulations and best practices
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suites (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and Google applications
• TMS experience is a plus
• Experience in a Transportation planning role preferred
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with proven ability to work within a team
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in the written, verbal, or scheduled form
• Results-oriented with good planning, organizational, and time-management skills
• Ability to handle situations, issues, and information with sound judgment, diplomacy, and sensitivity in a fast-paced environment
• May be required to be on call and work as part of a Saturday rotation

Physical Requirements

This is largely a sedentary role requiring the physical ability to:

• Sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk while working on a computer
• Use hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, mouse, and telephone
• Speak and hear clearly in person, virtually, and over the phone
• Occasionally stand, walk, reach, stoop, or lift up to 10 pounds

Work Environment

This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and printers.

The work environment is typically quiet to moderate in noise level and is climate controlled.

Location/Remote Eligibility

This is a hybrid role based out of our Des Plaines, IL office. Regular, on-site presence is required (4) days per week or asotherwise directed by the company.

The role may be performed in a hybrid work setting (combination of on-site and/or remote), depending on businessneeds and location eligibility. When working remote, employees are expected to maintain a dedicated, distraction-free,confidential workspace and reliable internet connection.

Schedule

Work hours may vary by shift assignment and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime based on business needs.