Strategic Capacity Brokerage Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) retirement plan with company-m

Paid time off

On-site work

Job summary

Forward Air Corp. in Vernon Hills, IL, is seeking a Strategic Capacity Brokerage Specialist to manage and optimize freight capacity across digital and traditional brokerage channels.

You will procure capacity, execute freight opportunities, and maintain high service levels throughout the shipment lifecycle. The role requires at least 1 year in freight brokerage or logistics operations, with strong negotiation and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required; undergraduate degree preferred.
• Strong negotiation, communication, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
• Experience with TMS and digital freight platforms is preferred.
• Familiarity with FTL/PTL/LTL and HVHR freight operations.

Responsibilities

• Source, negotiate, and secure carrier capacity for FTL, PTL, digital, flatbed, and high-value freight opportunities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with carrier partners to ensure access to capacity and service excellence.
• Verify carrier identity, qualifications, and compliance requirements using Highway, Carrier411, and other tools.
• Manage digital freight bookings through the TMS and approved platforms.
• Execute and manage PTL opportunities to maximize efficiency and profitability.
• Monitor shipments from booking through final delivery and address issues promptly.
• Ensure accurate documentation of shipment activity, carrier communications, and updates.
• Support achievement of operational, service, and profitability goals through capacity management.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Analytical skills

Carrier relationships

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Undergraduate degree preferred

Tools

Highway

Carrier411

McLeod TMS

Job description

• Locations 150 FAIRWAY DRVE, Vernon Hills, IL, 60061, US
• Job Category Operations: Individual Contributors
• Job Category Logistics and Transportation
• Job Function Brokerage

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.

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#LI -Onsite

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WHAT WE OFFER

• Compensation: Competitive base pay based on experience, industry/geographic benchmarks and internal equity. Some positions may be eligible for incentive pay programs and/or equity-based incentives. Pay ranges published on job boards are not provided nor verified by the Company.
• Health: Medical and Pharmacy insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA); Vision; Dental; Life and Disability; Critical Illness; Accident Indemnity; Hospital Indemnity; On-demand telehealth via Teladoc; Employee Assistance Program (counseling and financial/lifestyle coaching).
• Wealth: 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match; Employee stock purchase program; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Commuter Benefits; LegalEASE legal coverage.
• Time: 7 paid holidays and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) tiers ranging from 10–25 days annually.
• Culture: A collaborative, transformation-driven, solutions‑first environment full of "can do" attitude and "will do" work ethic.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Agencies: The Company does not accept unsolicited outreach from third parties. Absent an agreement signed by internal Talent Acquisition and Procurement, and a documented request from Talent Acquisition to submit candidates for a specified requisition, we will not approve payments to any third party.
• Work Authorization: Within the United States, the Company is an E-Verify employer. Unless otherwise indicated, U.S.-based workers must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, including but not limited to F-1, H-1, H-2, L, J, and TN visas, etc.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): The Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer . Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Physical/mental requirements are listed only to identify where potential accommodations may be needed, not as qualification standards. In compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including ADA, ADEA, and FMLA), accommodations may be available to qualified individuals unable to perform essential duties without them. Additional requirements may apply to meet legal, regulatory, and Company standards.