National Drayage & Carrier Strategy Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a dynamic and innovative National . This key position will be based in our Corporate (HQ) office located in Charlotte, NC reporting to the VP OF Freight Forwarding. As the , you will work directly with carriers to manage and execute the daily shipment of freight for our customers. You will be responsible for maintaining accuracy of shipment information, tracking and tracing of loads, and problem resolution. Our Ocean Drayage Specialist thrive in a fast-paced environment and use their strong communication skills to develop and grow relationships with our carriers. This role provides an excellent opportunity to start your career at De Well Group, with opportunities to grow in Operations, Sales, and Account Management.

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PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Carrier & Vendor Management

· Develop and expand strategic drayage carrier partnerships across all major U.S. ports and inland markets.

· Identify, qualify, onboard, and manage core drayage vendors to support De Well's national growth strategy.

· Lead carrier sourcing initiatives and negotiate competitive pricing, service commitments, and operational agreements.

· Build long-term vendor relationships that create capacity advantages and differentiated service offerings.

Commercial & Business Development Support

· Partner closely with Sales, Account Management, and Customer Service teams to develop transportation solutions that support revenue growth.

· Participate in customer presentations, RFQ opportunities, and solution design discussions.

· Collaborate with Sales teams to identify market opportunities and implement "Win the Market" strategies.

· Develop creative logistics solutions that improve customer satisfaction while maximizing profitability.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation

· Drive process improvements and encourage innovative transportation solutions.

· Think outside the box to develop creative service models that strengthen De Well's competitive positioning.

· Leverage technology, analytics, and market intelligence to improve drayage performance and customer experience.

Vendor Performance Management

· Establish and maintain a vendor scorecard program to evaluate carrier performance.

· Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with core carriers.

· Monitor carrier KPIs and implement corrective actions when service standards are not met.

· ‘Handle import shipment from start to finish, including but not limited to coordinate door-to-door deliveries, (FCL/LCL) with dispatch, truckers, shipment tracking, custom releases with Brokers in a timely manner

· Data entry of shipment details from multiple sources (excel report, email correspondence etc.)

· Primary responsibility in data accuracy and integrity

· Pre-Alerting delivery carriers of upcoming shipments

· Auditing Import shipments to verify all necessary requirements are fulfilled, prior to tender to partner carrier

· Dispatching Drayage carriers once delivery requirements are reached

· Pro-actively executing drayage payables and billable

· Manage communication flow between drayage carriers/central billing team and Account Management team

· Optimize all available technology to execute tasks in most efficient/accurate manner possible

· Communicate with Global Forwarding Agents, Account Managers and Sales Personnel and collaborate on SOP’s

· Understand where you can grow business at a desk level – identify opportunities to Account Management team

· Perform other duties as requested or assigned

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QUALIFICATIONS

Technical

· Windows Operating System - Excel/Outlook

· Advanced computer knowledge/proficiency (Outlook, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint

· Cargowise one knowledge – PREFERRED

Commercial & Strategic Leadership

• Demonstrated experience developing national carrier networks and transportation partnerships.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience supporting customer solutions and business development activities.
• Proven ability to negotiate rates, contracts, service agreements, and strategic partnerships.
• Experience managing vendor procurement, carrier sourcing, and transportation network optimization.
• Strong analytical and financial skills with ability to evaluate profitability, transportation costs, and market trends.
• Creative problem solver capable of developing innovative logistics solutions in competitive markets.

Business

· Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain or a related field – PREFERRED

· Knowledge or coursework in Supply Chain, Logistics and or International Business a plus

· Minimum of five (5) years’ experience with NVOCC/Freight Forwarding/Ocean Freight industry

· Minimum of two (2) years’ experience with NVOCC/Freight Forwarding industry – PREFERRED

· Must have 5 years dispatching/drayage/trucking experience

· Thorough understanding of ocean shipment documentation process, - PLUS

· Possess excellent data entry skills and customer service skills with the ability

· Demonstrated critical thinking, using logic and reasoning to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks, and identifying alternative solutions or approaches

· Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion

· Experience with tariff sheets and rate contract

· Ocean Import experience preferred

· Must have knowledge of ocean terminals

Human Relations

· Self-motivated and competitive with strong organizational and interpersonal skills

· Ability to motivate team members and offer constructive criticism

· Excellent leadership and indirect people management skills

· Proactive, aggressive, well-organized and hard working

· Able to work under pressure and solve problems independently

· Ability to work in a fast-paced and deadline-driven office environment

· Strong attention to detail and accuracy

· Excellent verbal & written communication skills and phone etiquette

BENEFITS

· 401(k)

· 401(k) matching

· Dental insurance

· Health insurance

· Paid time off

· Referral program

· Vision insurance

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EXPERIENCE

Preferred Experience

· Experience building and managing a nationwide drayage carrier network.

· Experience supporting transportation RFQs and customer proposal development.

· Experience creating and managing carrier scorecards and performance review programs.

· Experience leading strategic supplier relationship management initiatives.

· Ocean Imports: 5 years (Preferred)

· Dispatching/Drayage/Trucking Experience: 5 years (Preferred)

· Ocean Terminals: 5 years (Preferred)

· Team supervision experience: 3 years (Preferred)

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LOCATION:

· Charlottee, NC 28277

· Work Location: In person

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PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

(The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

· Regularly required to walk, sit and stand for prolonged periods of time.

· Ability to reach with arms and hands; bend, kneel, crouch and/or crawl as well as the ability to see and hear.

· Ability to sit for long periods of time.

· Ability to move about in office and warehouse facilities.

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WORK ENVIRONMENT

(The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

· The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of a warehouse. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the work day.

· The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds.

· The incumbent typically works in a warehouse environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of a warehouse. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the work day.

· The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 40 pounds.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.

Pay: From $72,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Can you walk me through how you would negotiate drayage rates with carriers while still making sure service quality and on-time delivery are maintained?
• Tell me about a time you had to resolve a drayage issue quickly, such as a missed pickup, terminal delay, chassis issue, demurrage risk, or carrier failure. What did you do?
• What information do you look at when deciding which carrier to use for a shipment besides just the lowest price?
• A carrier gives you a rate that is too high for us to win the business, but they are one of our best-performing carriers. How would you approach the situation?

Work Location: In person

Salary : $72,500