Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Transport Specialist

💰 $65,000 - $85,000 Annually

LogisticsSupply ChainTransportation

🎯 Role Definition

As a Transport Specialist, you are the central nervous system of our logistics and supply chain operations. This isn't just about moving boxes from A to B; it's about orchestrating a complex ballet of carriers, schedules, and regulations to ensure our products flow seamlessly across the country and around the world. You'll be a master problem-solver, a skilled negotiator, and a data-driven strategist, directly impacting our operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and bottom line. This role is perfect for a proactive individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys the challenge of optimizing complex transportation networks. You will be the go-to expert for all things transport, ensuring compliance, cost-effectiveness, and on-time delivery are always top priorities.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Dispatcher
  • Supply Chain Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Senior Transport Specialist / Team Lead
  • Logistics Manager or Supervisor
  • Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Procurement Specialist
  • Warehouse Operations Supervisor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Orchestrate and manage all aspects of daily domestic and international shipments, including LTL, FTL, ocean, and air freight, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for carriers, freight forwarders, and customs brokers, building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships to drive performance.
  • Skillfully negotiate freight rates and service level agreements with a diverse portfolio of carriers to optimize transportation spend while maintaining high service standards.
  • Proactively track and trace all in-transit shipments, providing real-time visibility and status updates to internal teams and customers, and swiftly addressing any potential delays.
  • Meticulously prepare, verify, and manage all necessary shipping and customs documentation, including Bills of Lading (BOL), commercial invoices, and export/import declarations.
  • Investigate and resolve complex transportation issues such as shipment delays, damages, losses, or customs holds, managing the freight claims process from initiation to resolution.
  • Ensure unwavering compliance with all applicable transportation regulations, including DOT, FMCSA, IATA, and IMO standards, staying current on changes that impact the business.
  • Utilize our Transportation Management System (TMS) to its full potential for load planning, carrier selection, tendering, and real-time tracking of shipments.
  • Conduct detailed analysis of transportation data to identify trends, measure carrier performance against KPIs, and uncover opportunities for network and route optimization.
  • Perform regular audits of freight invoices against negotiated rates and contracts to identify and rectify billing discrepancies, ensuring financial accuracy.
  • Collaborate closely with warehouse, customer service, and procurement teams to align transportation schedules with inventory levels, production output, and customer demand.
  • Develop and generate comprehensive reports on key transportation metrics, such as on-time performance, cost-per-shipment, and carrier reliability for management review.
  • Source, vet, and onboard new carriers to expand our network, enhance service options, and drive competitive pricing.
  • Manage the logistics for special-handling freight, including hazardous materials, temperature-controlled goods, or oversized loads, ensuring all safety and regulatory protocols are met.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the transportation function, recommending and implementing process changes to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service.
  • Provide expert guidance and support to other departments on transportation-related inquiries, including freight quotes, transit times, and shipping best practices.
  • Monitor market trends, fuel surcharges, and capacity fluctuations within the freight industry to inform strategic decision-making and mitigate risks.
  • Coordinate the efficient return of goods (reverse logistics), managing the process to ensure timely and cost-effective recovery of assets.
  • Support the broader supply chain team with projects related to network design, warehouse selection, and inventory strategy.
  • Maintain a highly organized system of records for all shipments, carrier contracts, and compliance documentation for audit and reporting purposes.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer critical business questions related to logistics and shipping performance.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data and supply chain strategy, providing on-the-ground insights and recommendations.
  • Collaborate with business units and IT to translate evolving data and reporting needs into functional requirements for our systems.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies if the logistics team operates within a more agile project management framework.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Deep proficiency in using TMS platforms (e.g., Oracle OTM, Blue Yonder, MercuryGate) for planning, execution, and visibility.
  • ERP Systems: Hands-on experience with ERP software, particularly SAP or Oracle, for order management and inventory integration.
  • Freight Auditing & Cost Analysis: Strong ability to analyze freight invoices, identify discrepancies, and perform detailed cost-benefit analyses for different shipping options.
  • Carrier Sourcing & Negotiation: Proven experience in identifying, evaluating, and negotiating contracts and rates with LTL, FTL, and parcel carriers.
  • Regulatory Compliance: In-depth knowledge of transportation regulations, including DOT, FMCSA, Hours of Service (HOS), and international shipping rules (Incoterms, customs).
  • Route Planning & Optimization: Skill in using software and analytical techniques to plan the most efficient routes for multi-stop or consolidated shipments.
  • Microsoft Excel Proficiency: Advanced skills in Excel, including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and data analysis functions for reporting and modeling.
  • Supply Chain Principles: Solid understanding of end-to-end supply chain concepts, including inventory management, warehousing, and procurement.
  • Logistics Documentation: Expertise in managing all forms of shipping documentation, such as Bills of Lading (BOL), Proof of Delivery (POD), and customs forms.
  • KPI Reporting & Analytics: Ability to develop, track, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) like on-time delivery, cost per mile, and carrier performance.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: An exceptional ability to think on your feet and resolve unexpected issues like delays, damages, or capacity shortages under pressure.
  • Communication: Clear, concise, and professional communication skills, both written and verbal, for interacting with carriers, drivers, and internal stakeholders.
  • Negotiation: Strong influencing and negotiation skills to secure favorable terms and build win-win partnerships with transportation providers.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough, with a keen eye for accuracy in documentation, data entry, and invoice auditing.
  • Time Management & Organization: The ability to effectively prioritize and manage a high volume of shipments and tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
  • Adaptability: A flexible and resilient mindset, capable of adapting to changing priorities, market conditions, and operational challenges.
  • Interpersonal Skills: A collaborative team player who can build strong working relationships across different departments and with external partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED, coupled with significant relevant work experience. An Associate's Degree is often a strong asset.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university or college.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3-5 years of direct experience in a transportation, logistics, or supply chain role.

Preferred:

  • Experience within a specific industry (e.g., manufacturing, retail, CPG, 3PL) is highly advantageous.
  • Proven track record of achieving cost savings and performance improvements in a transportation or logistics function.
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