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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Freight Planner Assistant

💰 $45,000 - $60,000

LogisticsSupply ChainTransportationOperations

🎯 Role Definition

As a Freight Planner Assistant, you are the operational backbone of our freight planning team. You will be instrumental in the day-to-day coordination of shipments, acting as a key liaison between carriers, customers, and our internal teams. This role involves meticulous tracking, proactive problem-solving, and data management to support strategic route optimization and cost control. You will directly contribute to the reliability and efficiency of our entire supply chain, making a tangible impact on our company's success. This role requires a proactive individual who is eager to learn and grow within the exciting world of logistics and transportation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator / Intern
  • Customer Service Representative (Logistics/Transportation)
  • Warehouse or Shipping Clerk

Advancement To:

  • Freight Planner / Transportation Planner
  • Logistics Analyst
  • Carrier Relations Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Supply Chain Coordinator
  • Procurement Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Coordinate the daily tendering of loads to carriers, ensuring all shipment details are accurately communicated and confirmed within our Transportation Management System (TMS).
  • Actively monitor and track all in-transit shipments from pickup to final delivery, proactively identifying potential delays and communicating status updates to relevant stakeholders.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for carriers, drivers, and brokers to resolve in-transit issues, provide delivery instructions, and build strong, collaborative relationships.
  • Assist Senior Planners in developing and executing optimal load plans for both LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) and FTL (Full-Truckload) shipments to maximize cube utilization and minimize costs.
  • Negotiate spot market rates with carriers for ad-hoc shipments, ensuring competitive pricing while maintaining stringent service and safety standards.
  • Meticulously review, verify, and manage all essential shipping documentation, including Bills of Lading (BOLs), Proof of Deliveries (PODs), and customs paperwork.
  • Input, update, and maintain highly accurate data within the TMS and other logistics software, ensuring data integrity for performance tracking and reporting.
  • Collaborate closely with customer service and sales teams to understand customer requirements, manage expectations, and provide exceptional service.
  • Analyze carrier performance data, including on-time pickup/delivery metrics, and contribute to carrier scorecards and quarterly business reviews.
  • Support the freight audit and payment process by verifying carrier invoices against rate confirmations and resolving any discrepancies in a timely manner.
  • Identify and escalate recurring service failures or operational issues to management, providing insights and suggestions for corrective action and continuous improvement.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to identify trends in shipping lanes, costs, and carrier performance.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by ensuring the accurate capture of transportation data points.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements for system enhancements or new reporting tools.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team if a project requires logistics expertise.
  • Generate and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost per mile, on-time performance, and tender acceptance rates.
  • Assist in onboarding new carriers by gathering required documentation (insurance, operating authority, etc.) and setting them up in our systems.
  • Provide backup support for other members of the logistics team during periods of high volume or absence to ensure seamless operational continuity.
  • Participate in continuous improvement projects aimed at streamlining transportation processes, reducing waste, and enhancing efficiency.
  • Monitor industry trends, market capacity, and fuel surcharge updates to provide valuable insights to the planning team.
  • Assist in investigating and processing freight claims for damages or shortages, compiling necessary documentation and following up through to resolution.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Proficiency in using one or more TMS platforms (e.g., MercuryGate, Blue Yonder, Oracle OTM, McLeod) for tendering, tracking, and data management.
  • Microsoft Excel: Strong proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUPs, formulas, and charting for data analysis and reporting.
  • Freight Mode Knowledge: Solid understanding of various freight modes, including LTL, FTL, Intermodal, and Parcel shipping.
  • Logistics Documentation: Familiarity with standard transportation documents such as Bill of Lading (BOL), Proof of Delivery (POD), and rate confirmations.
  • Data Entry & Accuracy: High level of speed and accuracy in data entry and information management.
  • Geography: Strong knowledge of North American geography, including major shipping lanes, transit times, and distribution hubs.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: Proactive and resourceful in identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving logistical issues and shipment exceptions under pressure.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for clear, concise, and professional interaction with internal teams, drivers, and external partners.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks, shipments, and priorities simultaneously without sacrificing accuracy.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where priorities can shift rapidly.
  • Negotiation & Persuasion: Foundational skills in negotiating rates and capacity with carriers to achieve favorable outcomes.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: A collaborative mindset with the ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve common goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent GED.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1-3 years of experience in a logistics, transportation, or supply chain coordination role.

Preferred: Direct experience working in a fast-paced environment such as a 3PL (Third-Party Logistics), freight brokerage, or a manufacturer's high-volume shipping department.

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