Job brief
We are looking for a detail-oriented Transportation Coordinator to join our growing logistics team and manage the domestic and international freight movements that keep our business moving. In this role, you will lead the scheduling of shipments, coordinate closely with our warehouse staff, and maintain robust relationships with our carrier network to drive cost-effective distribution. You will have the opportunity to implement logistics software enhancements and play a key role in refining our supply chain strategy for greater scale. If you are a problem-solver who enjoys high-stakes coordination and data-driven process improvement, we would love to hear from you.
Key highlights
- Execute daily shipment planning and load tendering processes within our TMS platform to meet critical delivery deadlines for all clients.
- Manage carrier relationships, negotiate spot rates, and audit freight invoices to ensure alignment with corporate logistics budget requirements.
- Monitor real-time shipment status updates, proactively identifying and resolving transit delays before they impact customer delivery windows.
- Ensure all outbound shipments remain compliant with DOT regulations, local traffic laws, and international import/export customs protocols.
What is a Transportation Coordinator?
A Transportation Coordinator is a logistics specialist responsible for the end-to-end oversight of freight movement, carrier performance, and distribution network reliability. By leveraging Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and ERP software, a Transportation Coordinator ensures that goods transition seamlessly from manufacturing hubs to final destinations. This professional acts as the vital link between warehouses, third-party logistics (3PL) providers, and procurement teams to maintain operational flow and minimize transit costs. Their expertise in logistics and regulatory compliance directly influences a company's ability to meet delivery promises and maintain a lean, responsive supply chain.
What does a Transportation Coordinator do?
A Transportation Coordinator manages daily shipment planning, tracks in-transit freight across multiple transit modes, and resolves complex delivery exceptions or documentation errors. They actively interface with carrier dispatchers and warehouse managers to schedule pickups, verify load capacity, and audit freight invoices against established contracts. By analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) like on-time delivery rates and cost-per-mile, they identify systemic bottlenecks and suggest routing optimizations. Additionally, they ensure every load adheres to industry safety standards and legal documentation requirements, such as Bills of Lading and customs manifests.
Key responsibilities
- Execute daily shipment planning and load tendering processes within our TMS platform to meet critical delivery deadlines for all clients.
- Manage carrier relationships, negotiate spot rates, and audit freight invoices to ensure alignment with corporate logistics budget requirements.
- Monitor real-time shipment status updates, proactively identifying and resolving transit delays before they impact customer delivery windows.
- Collaborate with warehouse operations teams to synchronize outbound loading schedules with carrier arrival times, minimizing facility dwell times.
- Maintain high levels of data integrity within the ERP and WMS by accurately documenting shipping manifests, tracking numbers, and hazardous material paperwork.
- Analyze monthly logistics reports to identify patterns in shipping costs, transit times, and carrier performance, presenting findings to management.
- Ensure all outbound shipments remain compliant with DOT regulations, local traffic laws, and international import/export customs protocols.
- Coordinate cross-functional communication between procurement, customer service, and distribution centers to ensure consistent inventory availability across all regions.
Requirements and skills
- Demonstrated expertise using Transportation Management Systems (TMS) such as MercuryGate, Oracle OTM, or SAP TM to manage complex freight logistics.
- Minimum of 3+ years of experience in high-volume supply chain, logistics, or transportation coordination roles within a distribution environment.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel for data analysis, including the use of pivot tables and VLOOKUPs to track freight spend and carrier KPIs.
- Strong understanding of Incoterms, freight classification, and the legal documentation required for domestic and cross-border commercial shipping.
- Exceptional ability to communicate clear routing and loading instructions to non-technical warehouse staff and remote third-party carrier dispatchers.
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or an equivalent combination of professional experience and training.
- Relevant professional certifications such as the APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) are highly preferred.
- Proven ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure when navigating supply chain disruptions, equipment shortages, or weather-related transit delays.
FAQs
What does a Transportation Coordinator do on a daily basis?
A Transportation Coordinator is responsible for planning and tracking freight movements to ensure goods arrive on schedule. Their daily work involves tendering loads to carriers, monitoring shipment status via a TMS, resolving transit delays, and ensuring all shipping documentation is accurate and compliant with industry regulations.
What skills are needed to become a Transportation Coordinator?
Success in this role requires strong analytical skills to evaluate logistics data, proficiency in TMS and ERP software, and excellent negotiation abilities for working with carriers. Candidates must also possess a deep understanding of supply chain workflows, attention to detail for documentation, and the ability to troubleshoot complex delivery issues under tight deadlines.
Who does a Transportation Coordinator work with in an organization?
A Transportation Coordinator serves as a bridge between multiple departments, collaborating daily with warehouse operations staff to manage loading schedules and procurement teams to plan inbound and outbound freight. They also maintain constant communication with external logistics partners, including trucking companies, 3PL providers, and customs brokers to ensure smooth operations.
Why is the Transportation Coordinator role important for a business?
This role is critical because it directly impacts the organization’s bottom line and customer satisfaction by reducing shipping costs and ensuring delivery reliability. By identifying inefficiencies in transport routing and optimizing carrier usage, a Transportation Coordinator helps the business maintain a lean, scalable supply chain that can adapt to market fluctuations.