Strategic Capacity Brokerage Specialist

Forward Air Corporation; Des Plaines (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Air Corporation in Des Plaines, IL is seeking a Strategic Capacity Brokerage Specialist to manage and optimize freight capacity across FTL, PTL, digital freight, and related services. You will source carriers, negotiate terms, and ensure on-time, cost-effective shipments while maintaining high service levels.

The role emphasizes carrier relationships, compliance checks, and hands-on use of TMS platforms.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required; bachelor's preferred.
• 1+ year in freight brokerage, carrier sales, or logistics operations.
• Knowledge of FTL, PTL, LTL, and digital freight operations.
• Strong negotiation, communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Experience with TMS and digital freight platforms preferred.
• HVHR freight program exposure encouraged.
• McLeod TMS experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and secure capacity for FTL, PTL, digital freight, flatbed, and high-value loads.
• Build and maintain carrier relationships to ensure capacity and service excellence.
• Verify carrier identity, qualifications, and compliance using Highway, Carrier411, etc.
• Manage digital freight bookings through the TMS and approved platforms.
• Execute partial truckload opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Monitor shipments from booking to delivery, addressing disruptions.
• Document shipment activity and carrier communications accurately.
• Support operational and profitability goals through capacity management.
• Collaborate with internal teams on freight strategy and customer expectations.
• All other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Problem-solving

Analytical thinking

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree preferred in Logistics or related

Tools

TMS platforms

McLeod TMS

Job description

Job Description

Compensation: 60,000 - 70,000

The Strategic Capacity Brokerage Specialist is responsible for managing and optimizing freight capacity across digital, partial truckload (PTL), and brokerage operations. This role combines carrier procurement, digital freight execution, carrier relationship management, and operational oversight to ensure efficient, profitable, and reliable freight movement. They partner with carriers and internal stakeholders to secure capacity, execute freight opportunities, and maintain high service levels throughout the shipment lifecycle. They play a key role in supporting operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and business growth through proactive capacity management and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and secure carrier capacity for full truckload (FTL), partial truckload (PTL), digital, flatbed, and high-value freight opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with carrier partners to ensure consistent access to capacity and service excellence.
• Verify carrier identity, qualifications, and compliance requirements using Highway, Carrier411, and other approved tools.
• Manage digital freight bookings through the transportation management system (TMS) and approved freight platforms.
• Execute and manage partial truckload opportunities to maximize operational efficiency and profitability.
• Monitor shipments from booking through final delivery, proactively addressing service disruptions and resolving issues as they arise.
• Ensure accurate and timely documentation of shipment activity, carrier communications, and operational updates.
• Support achievement of operational, service, and profitability goals through effective capacity management and execution.
• Participate in cross-training initiatives supporting Digital Brokerage, Partial Truckload freight operations.
• Develop working knowledge of HVHR shipment requirements, including approved carrier programs, chain of custody controls, security protocols, tracking expectations, and standard operating procedure compliance.
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure alignment on freight strategy, service execution, and customer expectations.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required; Undergraduate degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field preferred.
• Certification/Licensure: No specific certification required; transportation and logistics industry certifications are a plus.
• One (1) or more years of experience in freight brokerage, carrier sales, logistics operations, capacity procurement, dispatch, or transportation management.
• Strong understanding of full truckload (FTL), partial truckload (PTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), and digital freight operations.
• Strong negotiation, communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Experience with transportation management systems (TMS) and digital freight platforms preferred.
• Experience with flatbed, specialized, or project freight transportation preferred.
• Experience working with High Value/High Risk (HVHR) freight programs preferred.
• McLeod TMS experience preferred.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.)
• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on‑site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings/events.