What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transportation Representative position at Cornerstone Systems?
About Cornerstone Systems:
Established in 1997, Cornerstone Systems has emerged as a premier transportation company in the United States. As an employee-owned and operated organization, we specialize in providing comprehensive transportation and logistics solutions nationwide. Our services include intermodal transportation, railcar consolidation, truck brokerage, container drayage, LTL, warehousing, and more. With a presence across the country and service coverage extending throughout North America, Cornerstone Systems is committed to delivering Rock Solid Transportation Solutions to our valued clients. Join us and become part of an award-winning company dedicated to delivering excellence.
Job Summary
Cornerstone Systems is currently seeking to hire a Transportation Representative for our Surfaces OTR Operations team, for our Corporate Headquarters office, located in Memphis, TN. Transportation Representatives are responsible for operational support, as well as sales initiatives and accounting tasks within the Memphis Surface Transportation/Transactional Truck Brokerage Division. As a Transportation Representative, you will be accountable for helping build and maintain carrier and customer relationships, and ensuring the day to day execution of operations.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Work with carriers to obtain all paperwork required for billing. Confirm charges and accessorials are accurate and entered into TMS.
- Prospect new sales opportunities. Manage, service and grow carrier/customer relationships. Source carriers and convert new carrier relationships into repeat business. Negotiate rates, problem solve, and close loads to build personal book of business.
- Create new solutions to existing partnerships by further developing customer and carrier relationships; always ask questions, listen, never be satisfied.
- Develop carrier relationships and contacts at multiple levels (dispatch, sales, and owner).
- Understand market trends and seasonality of capacity.
- Understand the customer’s shipping needs; identify service and/or cost improvement opportunities, and execute their highest priority initiatives
- Negotiate rates, find pain points and provide solutions to help the customer benefit from their supply chain.
- Execute negotiations with customers and carriers through prospecting, cold calling, qualifying and closing business.
- Track and trace shipments; Follow up to assure deliveries are made.
- Evaluate and provide shipping instructions to the service provider.
- Input shipment data and manage shipment, as needed. Confirm accurate shipper/receiver information and update TMS, when needed.
- Release load for billing when the load has been delivered and all information is accurate.
- Document and manage problematic events and issues during the life of a load. Escalate issues to the proper people at the right time. Seek input to determine best course of action and implement solutions.
- Communicate professionally and effectively with carriers and internal/external customers.
- Ensure compliance with all SOPs and daily adherence to requirements.
- Promote and display Cornerstone’s Core Values: Integrity, Honesty, Respect, Loyalty, Never Satisfied.
- Regular and reliable attendance expected.
- Other work-related duties as assigned by supervisor/manager.
Minimum Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills Required
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Business, Transportation, Logistics or related field, preferred but not required.
- Previous related experience preferred, but not required.
- Driven, enthusiastic, possess a strong sense of urgency, and highly motivated.
- Strong negotiating skills; able to persuade, motivate and influence others in an ethical manner
- Team Player with the ability to work independently.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills.
- Strong organizational skills. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
- Problem solver; critical thinker.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite
Why Join Cornerstone Systems?
- Impactful Work: Your work directly contributes to our growth and success.
- Culture of Excellence: Thrive in an environment that values integrity, honesty, and continuous improvement.
- Career Growth: Opportunities for professional development in a company that appreciates and rewards high performance.
- Competitive Compensation and Employee Owned: Attractive salary, benefits, and incentives aligned with your exceptional skill set.