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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Logistics Carrier Manager

💰 $85,000 - $125,000

LogisticsSupply ChainTransportationManagement

🎯 Role Definition

The Logistics Carrier Manager is the strategic linchpin between our organization and our network of transportation partners. This role is fundamentally about building, nurturing, and optimizing relationships with freight carriers (including LTL, FTL, ocean, and parcel) to ensure the efficient, reliable, and cost-effective movement of goods. You are the architect and guardian of our transportation network, responsible for everything from high-stakes rate negotiations and contract management to performance monitoring and strategic sourcing. Success in this position means creating a resilient and high-performing carrier base that acts as a competitive advantage for the entire supply chain, directly impacting customer satisfaction and the company's bottom line.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Logistics Coordinator / Transportation Analyst
  • Carrier Sales Representative / Account Manager (from the carrier side)
  • Supply Chain Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Manager, Logistics / Transportation
  • Director of Transportation
  • Director of Global Logistics

Lateral Moves:

  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Procurement Manager
  • Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Spearhead the end-to-end carrier sourcing and procurement process, including conducting comprehensive RFPs/RFQs, analyzing complex bids, and leading contract negotiations to secure favorable rates and service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Develop and foster strong, strategic partnerships with key carriers through regular communication, performance reviews, and collaborative planning sessions.
  • Design and maintain a robust carrier performance management program, utilizing detailed scorecards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to rigorously monitor on-time delivery, tender acceptance, claims ratios, and cost compliance.
  • Conduct formal Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with core carriers to discuss performance trends, identify areas for operational improvement, and align on future strategic goals.
  • Serve as the central point of contact and escalation for resolving complex carrier-related service issues, operational disruptions, and freight claims, ensuring swift and effective resolution.
  • Proactively analyze freight market trends, capacity constraints, fuel forecasts, and economic indicators to inform procurement strategies and provide leadership with actionable market intelligence.
  • Own and manage the transportation budget for designated modes, meticulously tracking freight spend against forecast and aggressively identifying and executing cost-saving initiatives.
  • Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders, including Warehouse Operations, Customer Service, Sales, and Planning, to ensure the transportation network effectively supports their needs and an exceptional customer experience.
  • Act as the subject matter expert for the Transportation Management System (TMS), ensuring data integrity, optimizing routing guide logic, and leveraging the system's full capabilities for reporting and analysis.
  • Lead the compliance function for the carrier network, ensuring all partners maintain valid operating authority, insurance certificates, and adherence to all DOT/FMCSA safety regulations.
  • Develop and implement continuous improvement projects aimed at enhancing network efficiency, reducing transit times, and minimizing accessorial charges like detention and demurrage.
  • Manage the freight claims process from initiation to settlement, working with carriers and insurance providers to minimize financial loss and recover costs.
  • Provide critical transportation expertise and cost analysis for cross-functional initiatives such as new product launches, network expansions, or entry into new geographic markets.
  • Create and present detailed performance reports and data-driven narratives to senior leadership, highlighting key trends, risks, and opportunities within the transportation function.
  • Establish and manage a dynamic routing guide that balances cost, service, and carrier capacity to ensure optimal load allocation on a daily basis.
  • Develop and execute risk mitigation and contingency plans to address potential network disruptions, such as port strikes, natural disasters, or significant carrier failures.
  • Oversee and refine the freight audit and payment process, partnering with Finance to ensure accurate invoicing and timely payment to our carrier partners.
  • Build and maintain a deep understanding of multi-modal transportation, including Full Truckload (FTL), Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), intermodal, ocean, and parcel logistics.
  • Mentor and guide logistics coordinators and analysts, sharing expertise and fostering a culture of operational excellence and data-driven decision-making.
  • Drive sustainability initiatives within the carrier network by identifying and partnering with carriers who utilize fuel-efficient technologies and practices.

Secondary Functions

  • Support cross-functional projects by providing transportation feasibility studies and detailed cost analysis.
  • Act as a subject matter expert on transportation market trends, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to uncover hidden opportunities.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader supply chain strategy and long-term roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data and analytics teams.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Carrier Negotiation & Contract Management: Proven ability to lead complex negotiations, structure contracts, and manage SLAs with transportation providers.
  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Hands-on proficiency with enterprise-level TMS platforms (e.g., Oracle TM, Blue Yonder, SAP TM) for rate management, tendering, and visibility.
  • Advanced Data Analysis: Expertise in using tools like Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUPs), Power BI, or Tableau to analyze large datasets, track KPIs, and create insightful reports.
  • RFP / RFQ Management: Experience designing, executing, and analyzing transportation bids and procurement events.
  • Freight Auditing & Cost Control: A strong understanding of freight invoicing, accessorial charges, and processes for auditing and cost management.
  • Logistics & Supply Chain Principles: Deep knowledge of supply chain fundamentals, including inventory management, warehousing, and network design.
  • Multi-Modal Transportation Knowledge: In-depth understanding of the operational nuances, pricing structures, and market dynamics of FTL, LTL, Intermodal, and Parcel shipping.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Familiarity with transportation regulations, including DOT, FMCSA, and hours-of-service rules.
  • KPI Development & Reporting: Skill in defining meaningful metrics, building dashboards, and communicating performance to diverse audiences.
  • Project Management: Ability to manage logistics-related projects, from system implementations to continuous improvement initiatives, on time and within budget.

Soft Skills

  • Relationship Building: The ability to move beyond transactional interactions to build genuine, long-term strategic partnerships with carriers and internal teams.
  • Negotiation & Influence: A firm but fair negotiator who can advocate for the company's best interests while preserving positive relationships.
  • Strategic Thinking: The capacity to see the bigger picture, anticipate future market shifts, and align carrier strategy with overall business objectives.
  • Analytical Problem-Solving: A data-driven mindset with the ability to diagnose complex problems, identify root causes, and develop effective, scalable solutions.
  • Exceptional Communication: The skill to clearly and concisely articulate complex information, whether in a carrier business review, an executive summary, or a team meeting.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can effectively manage ambiguity and respond to unexpected disruptions.
  • Financial Acumen: A strong grasp of financial concepts to manage budgets, understand cost drivers, and build a business case for new initiatives.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree (MBA, MS in Supply Chain Management) or professional certification (e.g., CSCP from ASCM/APICS, CTL from AST&L).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5-8 years of progressive experience in logistics, transportation, or supply chain management.

Preferred: Direct experience in a high-volume shipping environment managing a diverse portfolio of carriers across multiple modes (FTL, LTL, Parcel, Ocean/Air). Demonstrable track record of successful contract negotiations and quantifiable cost-saving achievements is highly valued.

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