Transportation Manager

Saddle Creek Logistics Services; Harrisburg (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

401(k) match

Vacation and holidays

Career development

Tuition reimbursement

Life insurance

Job summary

Saddle Creek Logistics Services in Harrisburg, NC is seeking a Transportation Manager to oversee fleet operations and drive day-to-day execution of transportation plans. You will lead drivers and dispatchers, optimize routes, ensure safety compliance, and deliver ROI aligned with budgets.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Transportation, you will promote a Lean culture, mentor staff, and partner with sales and brokers to maximize asset utilization and on-time service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred (High School Diploma or GED Required)
• 3–5 years of transportation supervision experience
• Ability to build credible relationships with customers and drivers in a dynamic environment
• Analytical ability and attention to detail; strong computer skills (TMS)
• Ability to evaluate alternatives for best value decisions
• Ability to work in a high-stress environment and solve practical problems
• Strong judgment, problem-solving and decision-making abilities

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple Transportation Supervisors (Day/Night)
• Coach, train, and mentor direct reports to ensure personal growth and career development
• Ensure accuracy and viability of the operating plan, driver assignments and dispatching
• Assist with driver recruiting and retention by participating in ‘Meet and Greet’ sessions
• Develop a viable contingency plan for absenteeism or last-minute business needs
• Ensure maximum utilization of assets to streamline operating costs
• Develop Lean Six Sigma projects to streamline efficiencies and reduce costs
• Customer Service – ensure 100% load coverage and on-time service commitments
• Coordinate with sales and brokers to reduce empty miles by taking opportunities that support the department vision
• Coordinate quarterly business review with temp agencies and brokers to evaluate performance
• Ensure administrative accuracy related to billing, payroll and DOT requirements
• Maintain communication with all warehouses for timely service requests
• Utilize systems to track driver performance and provide timely feedback
• Communicate with drivers in a positive and supportive manner
• Develop KPI’s to measure performance and coordinate steps to meet goals
• Provide daily feedback to Planning Group about plans
• Assist the Director with developing, managing, and controlling the fleet
• Share in full responsibility for P&L
• Strive for continuous improvement of fleet operations

Skills

Leadership

Team building

Analytical thinking

Communication

Problem solving

Multi-tasking

Report writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Transportation Management System (TMS)

Job description

Why Work for Saddle Creek?

Saddle Creek Logistics Services succeeds by promoting a diverse, friendly, and respectful teamwork environment. As a vital service provider, we not only make a difference in our community but offer our associates opportunities to enhance their skills, build meaningful careers and end each day with a sense of accomplishment. If you’re looking for a family-oriented company that lives by its values and offers competitive pay and benefits, join our team today. Note that if you are viewing this posting on an external job board (such as Indeed, LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, etc.), unless specifically stated in the posting, the provided salary estimates may not be accurate as they are not provided by Saddle Creek. Our recruiters look forward to speaking with you about your background, skills, and compensation requirements.

Location: Harrisburg, NC

Position Description

The Transportation Manager will oversee all fleet operations based in Harrisburg, NC. This position is responsible for the successful day to day execution of the operational plans for fleet management of drivers and load dispatchers, including efficient route optimization, equipment utilization, safety and hours of service. This position will report to the Senior Manager of Transportation and provide flawless fulfillment of customer expectations and sales commitments, compliance with SCTI safety policy, delivering required ROI to shareholders in line with budgets and meeting the commitment SCTI extends to all associates to adhere to our Mission and Values.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple Transportation Supervisors (Day/Night)
• Personally coach, train, and mentor direct reports to ensure personal growth and career development
• Ensure accuracy and viability of the operating plan, driver assignments and dispatching
• Assist with driver recruiting and retention by participating in ‘Meet and Greet’ sessions and having discussions with drivers regarding any concerns
• Develop a viable contingency plan in the event of absenteeism or last-minute additional business requirements
• Ensure maximum utilization of assets to streamline operating costs.
• Develop and support a Lean Six Sigma culture by creating projects that support and further the goal of streamlining efficiencies and reducing costs
• Customer Service – ensure 100% load coverage and deliver on-time service commitments; address issues and maintain proactive, direct communication with customers, the planning group, warehouse and senior management
• Work with sales and brokers to reduce empty miles by taking additional freight opportunities that support the department vision
• Coordinate quarterly business review with temp agencies and brokers to evaluate performance opportunities
• Ensure administrative accuracy related to billing, payroll and DOT requirements
• Maintain communication with all warehouses to ensure requests for service are timely
• Utilize systems to track driver performance and provide feedback related to performance in a timely manner
• Ensure drivers are communicated with in a positive and supportive manner
• Coordinate with other locations when necessary to ensure best options for eliminating empty miles
• Develop KPI’s to measure performance and coordinate necessary steps to ensure goals are met
• Provide daily feedback and communication to the Planning Group relating to previous and upcoming plans
• Assist the Director with every aspect of developing, managing, and controlling the fleet
• Share in full responsibility for P&L
• Strive for continuous improvement of overall fleet operations

Qualifications

• Education/ExperienceBachelor’s degree preferred (High School Diploma or GED Required)
• Minimum of 3-5 years of Transportation experience supervising drivers in a truckload or LTL environment
• Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesAbility to build credible relationships with customers, drivers and lead in a dynamic, fast-paced, hands-on environment and to build effective teams
• Demonstrated analytical ability, attention to detail, and strong computer skills preferably with transportation and warehouse management systems
• Ability to evaluate alternatives to make the best overall value decisions considering cost, customer expectations, driver needs and other factors
• Ability to function in a high-stress environment and solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists
• Exercise solid judgment, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Must possess a proven record of taking initiative and responsibility, both individually and as a member of a team.
• Act with a real time sense of urgency.
• Possess the ability to learn and become an accomplished user in transportation management and other systems
• Possess the ability to write routine reports and correspondence in a professional manner
• Possess the ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals
• Possess the ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or associates
• Must be able to multi-task and be detail oriented

Benefits

• Benefits package including medical, dental, vision, HSA, and medical reimbursement
• Annual bonus eligibility
• 401(k) match
• Vacation and holiday pay
• Employee assistance and identity theft protection
• Career development and opportunity for internal promotions
• Tuition reimbursement for further education
• Company paid life insurance and short term disability

Saddle Creek is an Equal Opportunity employer and anAffirmative Action employer, as required by law. We provide equal employment opportunities to applicants and existing associates and evaluate qualified candidates without regard to race, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, color, religious creed, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex (including pregnancy, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), mental or physical disability, medical condition, military and veteran status or any other status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws, governmental regulations and executive orders. View the EEO poster here. View the E-Verify Posting here. Saddle Creek is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability to search and apply for a career opportunity, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know your contact information and the nature of your request.

Saddle Creek is in the logistics business. Over the past 60 years, our associates built Saddle Creek into what it is today by treating each other with respect and working together to succeed. Our people make a difference every day to our clients, to our business, and to each other. The growth and success we’ve experienced requires smart, dedicated people working in a supportive environment. Growing our family since 1966.

Will you join us? Learn what our associates are saying about their career experiences at Saddle Creek on the Associates' Stories Blog. Learn more information about all Saddle Creek careers and our culture.