Transportation Manager

PREMIUM METALS, INC.; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Premium Metals, Inc. in Cleveland, OH seeks a Transportation Manager to optimize freight movements, dispatch loads, and maximize equipment utilization while ensuring on-time delivery and profitability.

You will coordinate with drivers, customers, brokers, and operations teams, leverage TMS and load boards, and ensure DOT compliance in a fast-paced environment. Strong negotiation and market-analysis skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 2–5 years in load planning, dispatching, freight brokerage, or transportation operations.
• Flatbed trucking experience preferred, other modes considered.

Responsibilities

• Plan, schedule, and dispatch loads to drivers and owner-operators.
• Optimize routes to maximize revenue and minimize empty miles.
• Coordinate pickups and deliveries with customers, shippers, and receivers.
• Monitor freight movements and resolve service issues and equipment challenges.
• Ensure profitability through rate negotiation with brokers, customers, and carriers.
• Maintain compliance with DOT regulations and Hours of Service.
• Track capacity and driver availability to support planning.
• Use TMS, load boards, and dispatch software for daily ops.
• Build relationships with drivers, customers, brokers, and carriers.

Skills

Load Planning

Dispatching

Freight Brokerage

Market Analysis

DOT Regulations

Excel

TMS

Customer Relationships

Problem Solving

Time Management

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Logistics / Supply Chain / Business

Tools

TMS

Load boards

Dispatch software

GPS tracking

Job description

The Transportation Manager is responsible for optimizing freight movements, maximizing equipment utilization, and ensuring timely delivery of customer shipments. This role works closely with drivers, customers, brokers, and operations teams to efficiently plan and dispatch loads while maintaining profitability, service levels, and compliance requirements. The ideal candidate will have experience in flatbed transportation, load planning, freight brokerage, or dispatch operations and possess strong negotiation and market analysis skills.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Embraces the 1 T.E.A.M. culture
• Plan, schedule, and dispatch loads to company drivers and owner-operators.
• Optimize routes and freight assignments to maximize revenue, reduce empty miles, and improve operational efficiency.
• Coordinate pickup and delivery appointments with customers, shippers, and receivers.
• Monitor freight movements and proactively resolve service issues, delays, or equipment challenges.
• Ensure freight rates with brokers, customers, and carriers are maximizing profitability.
• Analyze freight markets, lane opportunities, and rate trends to identify revenue-generating opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with drivers, customers, brokers, and carriers.
• Ensure compliance with DOT regulations, Hours of Service (HOS), and company policies.
• Track driver availability, equipment utilization, and capacity to support efficient planning.
• Communicate load details, route changes, and customer requirements clearly and accurately.
• Utilize transportation management systems (TMS), load boards, and dispatch software to manage daily operations.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and customer service teams to meet customer expectations.
• Maintain accurate records of loads, rates, driver assignments, and operational metrics.
• Maximize truck utilization and profitability.
• Minimize empty miles and service failures.
• Maintain strong on-time pickup and delivery performance.
• Build profitable freight opportunities through market awareness.
• Provide exceptional service to customers and drivers while supporting company growth.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Althoughnodirect reports, the position will provide focused guidance toorganizational leadership and process teams, will serve on committees and specialteamsand perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Minimum 2-5 years of experience in load planning, dispatching, freight brokerage, or transportation operations.
• Experience inflatbed trucking preferred, but candidates with van or refrigerated (reefer) transportation experience will also be considered.
• Strong understanding of freight markets, freight rates, transportation capacity, and lane pricing.
• Experience planning truck schedules and dispatching drivers.
• Demonstrated success in building customer or broker relationships.
• Knowledge of DOT regulations, Hours of Service requirements, and transportation compliance.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel.
• Experience with transportation management systems (TMS), load boards, and dispatch software.
• Experience managing flatbed freight, preferred.
• Existing relationships with freight brokers and carrier networks, preferred.
• Understanding of fuel surcharge calculations and transportation cost, preferred.
• Experience analyzing profitability by lane, shipment, customer, or equipment type, preferred.
• Familiarity with ELD systems and GPS tracking platforms, preferred.

Education Requirements

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field, preferred.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Load Planning & Optimization
• Driver Dispatch & Fleet Coordination
• Freight Market Analysis
• Customer Service & Relationship Management
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
• Time Management & Prioritization
• Transportation Compliance Knowledge
• Revenue & Margin Management
• Teamwork & Communication

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to medium.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee may need to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Note

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills associated with the position.

The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.