Solution Route Planner

United Natural Foods, Inc.; Ridgefield (WA); Remote; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in food distribution seeks a Solution Route Planner to design and enhance delivery routes for efficient transportation of goods. The role involves using routing software to manage changes, monitor performance, and ensure compliance while communicating with various stakeholders. Applicants should have a strong background in logistics, route planning, and excellent communication skills to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 2+ years’ experience in route planning or logistics coordination, preferably in grocery or food distribution.
• Strong working knowledge of DOT regulations.
• Proficiency in routing and logistics software.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain route plans for deliveries utilizing routing software.
• Monitor route performance and identify continuous improvement opportunities.
• Manage exceptions and provide quick decisions during disruptions.

Skills

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Time Management

Organizational Skills

Adaptability

Education

Associate’s Degree

Tools

RoadNet

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Overview:

The Solution Route Planner is responsible for designing and enhancing delivery routes that ensure timely, efficient, and cost-effective transportation of perishable and non-perishable goods to customers and distribution centers. Through utilization of routing software, this position will manage changes or disruptions to routes, communicating with stakeholders in Outbound Transportation, Operations, Customer Experience, or Sales any updates to scheduled routes.

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities

· Develop and maintain route plans for daily, weekly, and seasonal deliveries for UNFI distribution centers based on order volume, delivery windows, traffic patterns, vehicle capacity, and customer requirements utilizing routing software programs;

· Monitor route performance, including on-time delivery rates, mileage, fuel usage, and driver hours while identifying continuous improvement opportunities ensuring all routes are DOT compliant;

· Timely release of planned routes to the warehouse for batching validating all orders are sent through RoadNet without issue;

· Review routes for max cube utilization and potential route reductions;

· Plan backhauls in the most efficient manner communicating schedules to the DC;

· Manage exceptions and provide quick, data-driven decisions during disruptions (weather, road closures, equipment failure, etc).

Additional Responsibilities

· Prepare and present reports to management regarding KPI and routing efficiencies

Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education/ Certifications:

· Associate’s Degree and/or equivalent related work experience

Experience:

· 2+ years’ experience in route planning or logistics coordination, preferably in grocery or food distribution;

· Strong working knowledge of DOT regulations and fleet operations.

Knowledge/Skills/ Abilities

· Proficiency in routing and logistics software, preferably RoadNet or similar programs;

· Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment;

· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; ability to interact and influence effectively with all levels of management, associates, and customers;

· Adapt well to and initiates change within the organization;

· Excellent time management and organizational skills;

· Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint, and Excel;

· Ability to work flexible hours

Work Environment:

Remote Role:

· This position is classified as remote where the associate will perform remote work from their primary residence. Remote associates are welcome to work from the office but are not required to do so. While remote associates are not required to work from an office on a regular basis, they may be required to come to the office or other UNFI locations for necessary business reasons or if directed to do so by their manager.

Onsite Role:

· This position requires the associate to perform all duties at one of our UNFI locations, such as a distribution center or office.

Travel (minor):

· This position may require the associate to travel to company offices, distribution centers, or other locations for specific meetings or other business reasons.

Physical Environment/Demands:

Office Roles:

· Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment.

· Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.

· Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephones, and other office equipment in the course of a normal workday.

· Stooping, bending, twisting, and reaching may be required in the completion of job duties.

Warehouse Roles:

· Ability to lift up to 75 pounds and to stand, walk, bend, stoop, twist, and turn frequently.

· Exposed to temperatures ranging from -20 degrees below zero to 35 degrees Fahrenheit in Perishable Operation and 37 degrees to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in Grocery Operation.

· Ability to do repetitious arm, wrist, and hand movements required for maintenance and service procedures.

· Must be able to work with hands and arms overhead, and to work in or under the equipment.

· Requires manual dexterity, overall coordination, and good balance to work both at ground level and in high places to perform job duties. Ability to operate work-related equipment.

· Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. UNFI is an Equal Opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment for all. - M/F/Veteran/Disability. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.