Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Freight Broker Agent

💰 $65,000 - $150,000+ (Commission-based)

LogisticsSupply ChainSalesTransportation

🎯 Role Definition

As a Freight Broker Agent, you are the critical link in the supply chain, a master negotiator, and a strategic problem-solver. This entrepreneurial role empowers you to build and manage your own portfolio of clients (shippers) and carriers. You will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of a shipment, from prospecting new business and quoting rates to dispatching trucks and ensuring on-time, safe delivery. Success in this position is defined by your ability to cultivate strong relationships, navigate the complexities of the freight market, and drive profitability through exceptional service and strategic decision-making. This is more than a job; it's an opportunity to build your own business under the umbrella of an established logistics powerhouse.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator or Dispatcher
  • Inside/Outside Sales Representative
  • Account Management
  • Recent graduates with a degree in Supply Chain, Business, or a related field

Advancement To:

  • Senior Freight Broker Agent / Team Lead
  • Operations Manager or Branch Manager
  • Director of Sales / Carrier Relations
  • National Account Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Carrier Sales Manager
  • Logistics Account Executive
  • Supply Chain Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Proactively generate new sales opportunities through inside and outside sales efforts, including cold calling, email campaigns, and networking to build a robust and profitable book of business.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong, long-lasting relationships with shipper clients by providing exceptional customer service, understanding their unique logistics needs, and acting as their trusted transportation advisor.
  • Skillfully negotiate freight rates with both shippers and carriers to ensure maximum profitability for the company while maintaining competitive pricing and market fairness.
  • Manage the full lifecycle of shipments, from creating orders and booking loads in the Transportation Management System (TMS) to tracking and tracing freight from pickup to final delivery.
  • Source, vet, and onboard new carriers into the network, ensuring they meet all safety, compliance, and insurance requirements set by the company and the DOT.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for all parties involved in a shipment, providing timely updates and proactively communicating any potential delays or issues.
  • Analyze market trends, seasonality, and capacity data using industry tools like DAT and Truckstop to make informed pricing and carrier selection decisions.
  • Resolve complex in-transit issues, including delays, breakdowns, OS&D (overage, shortage, and damage) claims, and rerouting, with a sense of urgency and professionalism.
  • Provide competitive and accurate rate quotes to customers in a timely manner, understanding the various factors that influence pricing, such as lane, equipment type, and fuel costs.
  • Ensure all shipments are compliant with federal, state, and local transportation regulations, including hours-of-service (HOS) and weight limits.
  • Develop a deep understanding of different freight modes, including Full Truckload (FTL), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), and Intermodal, to offer comprehensive solutions.
  • Drive account growth by identifying opportunities to expand services with existing customers and cross-selling additional logistics solutions.
  • Maintain meticulous records of all communications, negotiations, and transactions within the company's CRM and TMS platforms.
  • Achieve and exceed monthly and quarterly revenue, load count, and margin goals set by management.

Secondary Functions

  • Collaborate with the accounting department to ensure timely invoicing of customers and payment to carriers, and assist in resolving any billing discrepancies.
  • Participate in ongoing training and professional development sessions to stay current with industry best practices, new technologies, and market changes.
  • Provide mentorship and guidance to junior brokers or logistics coordinators, sharing knowledge and strategies for success.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and contribute to performance reports that analyze profitability, carrier performance, and customer satisfaction.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy by providing real-world feedback on the effectiveness of TMS features and load board integrations.
  • Collaborate with business units, such as the claims or carrier compliance departments, to ensure seamless operational flow and risk mitigation.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies if working within a technology-focused logistics team to improve internal software and processes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): High proficiency in using TMS platforms such as McLeod, TMW, MercuryGate, or proprietary systems for order entry, dispatch, and tracking.
  • Load Board Mastery: Expertise in navigating and utilizing major load boards like DAT Power, DAT RateView, and Truckstop.com for sourcing capacity and analyzing market rates.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Strong command of Excel for data analysis and tracking, Outlook for communication, and Word for documentation.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Solid understanding of FMCSA and DOT regulations, hours-of-service (HOS) rules, and freight classifications.
  • Sales & CRM Software: Experience using CRM tools (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) to manage customer pipelines and track sales activities.
  • Rate Negotiation & Quoting: Demonstrated ability to calculate freight costs, understand pricing models, and prepare accurate customer quotes.

Soft Skills

  • Superior Negotiation Skills: The ability to confidently and effectively negotiate with diverse personalities to achieve favorable outcomes for all parties.
  • Relationship Building: A natural talent for creating and nurturing strong, trust-based relationships with clients and carrier partners.
  • Problem-Solving: A proactive and resilient approach to identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving complex logistical challenges under pressure.
  • Exceptional Communication: Clear, concise, and professional verbal and written communication skills for interacting with customers, carriers, and internal teams.
  • Self-Motivation & Entrepreneurial Spirit: A high-energy, results-driven mindset with the internal drive to build a business and succeed in a commission-based environment.
  • Time Management & Organization: The capacity to multitask and prioritize a high volume of tasks in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.
  • Resilience & Composure: The ability to remain calm, professional, and solutions-oriented when faced with stressful situations or unexpected issues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management & Logistics
  • Business Administration or Management
  • Marketing & Sales

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-5+ years in logistics, transportation, or sales.

Preferred: 2+ years of direct experience in a freight brokerage or third-party logistics (3PL) environment. A proven track record of sales success and/or a partially or fully transferable book of business is highly desirable.

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