Strategic Carrier Procurement Specialist

Circle Logistics, Inc; Springdale (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Circle Logistics is a third‑party logistics (3PL) firm focused on delivering three core promises to our customers: No Fail Service, Personalized Communication, and Innovative Solutions. The Carrier Procurement Representative role builds, develops, and manages carrier relationships to support profitable freight coverage across Circle Logistics' network.

This hands-on position focuses on procurement, carrier development, margin optimization, and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• High School diploma, GED, or equivalent experience required.
• Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field (preferred).
• 1–3+ years of freight brokerage, carrier procurement, transportation operations, sales, customer service, or related experience.
• Demonstrated experience negotiating rates and managing relationships in transportation environments.
• Working knowledge of carrier economics, freight markets, and transportation operations.
• Proficiency with TMS and CRM platforms.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, including spreadsheet reporting, data analysis, and reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Source, qualify, onboard, and develop carrier relationships across Circle Logistics' freight network.
• Build and maintain a diversified carrier portfolio spanning dry van, reefer, flatbed, expedited, and specialized transportation modes.
• Cultivate repeat carrier relationships to enhance service consistency and freight coverage.
• Negotiate competitive buy rates while balancing service expectations with profitability objectives.
• Evaluate carrier performance, pricing, service metrics, and reliability on an ongoing basis.
• Partner with Fraud and Compliance teams to ensure rigorous carrier onboarding, vetting, and fraud prevention protocols.
• Maintain accurate and current carrier information, rate history, and documentation within the TMS.
• Leverage market data, load boards, and transportation indices to inform procurement decisions.
• Identify and capitalize on opportunities to improve lane profitability through strategic carrier development and pricing discipline.
• Support spot bid pricing, freight coverage initiatives, and procurement projects as assigned.
• Develop comprehensive understanding of seasonal trends, regional market dynamics, fuel fluctuations, and carrier economics.
• Collaborate with account management and sales teams to support new and existing business opportunities.
• Increase repeat carrier utilization and reduce reliance on transactional freight coverage.
• Establish and nurture long-term working relationships with asset-based carriers, owner-operators, and regional fleets.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned carrier relationships.
• Address service failures, disputes, and operational issues with professionalism and urgency.
• Maintain comprehensive carrier performance records tracking service quality, communication, acceptance rates, claims, and on-time delivery.
• Participate actively in carrier development initiatives and relationship-building activities.
• Build deep expertise in transportation operations, carrier economics, and freight market dynamics.
• Develop specialized knowledge across assigned modes, markets, and customer freight profiles.
• Engage in coaching, training, and professional development opportunities to advance expertise.
• Support procurement initiatives designed to increase carrier utilization and relationship-based coverage.
• Demonstrate progression toward advanced procurement responsibilities.
• Adhere to and support standard operating procedures for sourcing, onboarding, negotiation, load coverage, and carrier performance management.
• Maintain strong working knowledge of shipping lanes, geography, market conditions, and seasonal patterns.
• Collaborate with operations and customer teams to ensure successful account implementation and service delivery.
• Exceed individual performance expectations related to carrier development, service metrics, and procurement activity.
• Support leadership with reporting, procurement initiatives, and special projects as needed.

Skills

Negotiation

Relationship-building

Urgency

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field

Tools

TMS

CRM

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Circle Logistics is a third‑party logistics (3PL) firm focused on delivering three core promises to our customers: No Fail Service, Personalized Communication, and Innovative Solutions. The Carrier Procurement Representative role builds, develops, and manages carrier relationships to support profitable freight coverage across Circle Logistics' network.

This hands-on position focuses on procurement, carrier development, margin optimization, and operational excellence.