Transportation Specialist

MasterCraft Boat Company; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

MasterCraft Boat Company is seeking a Transportation Specialist to lead strategic and operational transportation activities from Vonore, TN, ensuring safe, cost-effective movement of boats and parts. You will design freight strategies, optimize inbound/outbound flows, and manage 3PL partnerships to improve service levels and landed cost.

The role requires 7–10 years in transportation/logistics, plus strong negotiation and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation Management, Business Administration, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain, or distribution management.
• Experience negotiating carrier contracts and managing third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
• Experience with ocean freight, international shipping, customs processes, duties, tariffs, and vessel scheduling preferred.
• Manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute transportation and logistics strategies that support company growth objectives while optimizing cost, quality, and service performance.
• Analyze and optimize domestic and international boat transportation services, negotiate carrier agreements, improve freight rates, and identify qualified transportation providers.
• Coordinate with MasterCraft manufacturing, sales, customer service, procurement, and dealer networks to ensure timely and cost-effective shipment of finished goods.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, implementation, and ongoing management of third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
• Develop comprehensive business cases for logistics resourcing decisions, including 3PL outsourcing opportunities, transportation network changes, and supply chain optimization initiatives.
• Monitor global transportation market trends, carrier capacity, freight costs, and international trade developments to proactively identify risks and opportunities.
• Present transportation strategies, cost analysis, business cases, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve transportation policies, procedures, and best practices.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation Management, Business Administration, or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Transportation Management Systems (TMS)

ERP systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

Transportation Specialist

Full Time Salary Management Vonore, TN, US

General Description of Position:

Responsible for leading the strategic and operational transportation activities for MasterCraft boats and related materials, ensuring the safe, efficient, and cost-effective movement of products from manufacturing locations to domestic and international dealers. This role is responsible for developing transportation and logistics strategies that optimize service, cost, quality, and delivery performance across the supply chain.

The position will lead freight optimization initiatives, including direct material inbound transportation, finished goods outbound distribution, third-party logistics (3PL) sourcing and management, and transportation network design. This role will develop business cases and recommendations for executive leadership regarding logistics investments, multi-plant freight synergies, international shipping strategies, and continuous improvement opportunities.

Duties:

• Develop and execute transportation and logistics strategies that support company growth objectives while optimizing cost, quality, and service performance.
• Analyze and optimize domestic and international boat transportation services, negotiate carrier agreements, improve freight rates, and identify qualified transportation providers capable of meeting performance expectations.
• Coordinate with MasterCraft manufacturing, sales, customer service, procurement, and dealer networks to ensure timely and cost-effective shipment of finished goods.
• Lead the evaluation, selection, implementation, and ongoing management of third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
• Develop comprehensive business cases for logistics resourcing decisions, including 3PL outsourcing opportunities, transportation network changes, and supply chain optimization initiatives.
• Analyze inbound freight opportunities across multiple manufacturing sites and develop strategies that leverage network synergies, consolidate shipments, and reduce total landed cost.
• Lead initiatives to optimize direct material freight spend through carrier negotiations, routing improvements, transportation mode selection, and network redesign.
• Manage international outbound logistics activities, including ocean freight transportation, vessel scheduling, freight forwarding relationships, customs compliance, and export documentation.
• Coordinate international shipments and ensure compliance with applicable duties, tariffs, customs regulations, trade requirements, and international shipping standards.
• Monitor global transportation market trends, carrier capacity, freight costs, and international trade developments to proactively identify risks and opportunities.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting metrics to measure transportation performance, cost savings, service levels, and carrier effectiveness.
• Present transportation strategies, cost analysis, business cases, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve transportation policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Monitor transportation service provider performance and lead corrective actions and continuous improvement initiatives where needed.
• Handle escalated logistics and customer issues while ensuring timely resolution and high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with transportation regulations, trade requirements, company policies, and safety standards.
• Provide leadership and guidance for cross-functional logistics initiatives and special projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education & Work Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Transportation Management, Business Administration, or related field required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressive experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain, or distribution management.
• Demonstrated experience managing domestic and international transportation operations.
• Experience developing transportation strategies, business cases, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Proven experience negotiating carrier contracts and managing third-party logistics (3PL) providers.
• Experience with ocean freight, international shipping, customs processes, duties, tariffs, and vessel scheduling preferred.
• Manufacturing industry experience strongly preferred.

.

• Advanced knowledge of domestic and international transportation regulations, logistics operations, and supply chain management principles.
• Strong understanding of ocean freight, international trade compliance, customs requirements, duties, tariffs, and vessel scheduling processes.
• Proven ability to develop strategic business cases and present recommendations to executive leadership.
• Strong financial acumen with the ability to analyze freight spend, develop cost-saving initiatives, and drive measurable results.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, negotiation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence across all levels of the organization and manage cross-functional initiatives.
• Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with transportation management systems (TMS), ERP systems, and data analytics tools.
• Positive "can do" attitude with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Willingness to provide operational and strategic support outside of regular business hours as business needs require.