Traffic Coordinator - Days - Roseburg, OR

Since our founding in 1951, Swanson Group has proudly remained a multigenerational, family-owned company. We are committed to fostering a welcome and supportive workplace where every team member is valued, respected, and empowered to succeed.

At Swanson Group, you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact, working alongside dedicated employees who share a passion for excellence. We believe in building a culture that encourages growth, collaboration, and long-term success.

Explore our current job openings and discover how you can become a valued member of the Swanson Group family today!

Position Title: Traffic Coordinator
Reports to: VP Sales & Marketing
Department: Sales
Wage: Salary – DOE

Position Summary: The Traffic Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all aspects of truck and rail dispatch, planning, leading and organizing the traffic department to help produce the highest level of customer service while ensuring our core values (ACES) are consistently demonstrated in the way we conduct ourselves and interact with each other. The Traffic Coordinator will provide leadership and guidance to the entire Sales Department and will provide accurate and up to date information on changing traffic conditions and rates

Essential Functions

Trucking – Customer and Delivered

• Ensure all shipping processes for truck loading & shipping are within safety compliance guidelines
• Ensure timely delivery on all delivered loads with in the set target once order is called ready.
• Work closely with sales personnel to ensure that customers are being notified and picking up their orders within prescribed timelines. Establish Company dispatch protocols for when timelines go unmet.
• Negotiate with trucking companies to develop competitive rates while maintaining balance that does not hinder sales but allows the competitive and timely placement of trucks.
• Negotiate contracts and foster relationships with trucking companies that will insolate Swanson from general and seasonal trucking shortages.
• Continually recruit for and maintain an approved list of common carriers along with all associated documentation including, but not limited to, insurance certificates and W-9 forms.
• Communicate directly with truck suppliers and mill personnel to ensure that the appropriate truck supply is maintained at all times.
• Maintain and distribute current and accurate truck rate lists to the Sales team for use in the customer quote process.
• Establish and monitor applicable fuel surcharge rates

In-House Trucks

• Manage the in-house company trucks within DOT compliance guidelines including oversight of hours requirements, driver files and logs books.
• Provide for a preventative maintenance program that ensures the uptime reliability for the trucks. Facilitate all daily, weekly and monthly activities and associated supervisory duties and employee training and development for the drivers.
• Works directly with the operations coordinators to ensure the highest priority is given to intra/inter-company transfers.

Rail Freight Management:

• Ensure all shipping processes for railcar loading & shipping are within safety compliance guidelines
• Work closely with the shipping departments and the railroad providers to manage and control demurrage and over/underweight costs.
• Maintain and distribute current and accurate rail rate lists to the Sales team for use in the customer quote process.
• Establish a good reputation and relationship with all rail carriers.
• Negotiate with the various railroad providers to ensure that the best rates possible are obtained for key market areas.
• Communicate directly with the railroad suppliers and mill personnel to ensure that the appropriate rail car supply is maintained at all times.
• Ensure daily railroad waybill process is complete.
• Works closely with rail carriers to ensure that available rail car supply is dispatched to the operation with highest need.
• Work closely with the sales team to ensure the proper car ordering is completed weekly.
• Monitor rail carriers’ placement of cars at operation versus want dates to ensure there are no demurrage costs and/or verify we are receiving credits when/where applicable.

Systems:

• Maintain customer communication concerning FOB and delivered order status.
• Field and resolve any traffic related complaints
• Develop and articulate ideas for operational improvements and process changes.
• Attend the weekly sales KPI meetings and be prepared to address action plans and/or variances to your KPI’s.
• Assist in updating and auditing KPI targets, efficiencies and baselines for accurate reporting.
• Sponsor the development of a freight management system and ensure its accuracy, maintenance and use as a tool form improvement and operations enhancement.
• Assist in creating reports that help improve visibility of KPI, variances and opportunities.

Supervision:

• Direct supervisor for Company truck drivers and freight dispatch assistant(s)
• Lead the development of internal processes and key performance indicators
• Foster and develop strong relationships with the sales, management and operational teams to ensure clear communication and expectations.
• Actively support and encourage employee development, performance expectations, goals & objectives, accountability, and adherence to company values (ACES).
• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.
• Collaborate with on-site safety professionals to ensure safety improvement & compliance is successful

Education, Skill and Abilities:

• High school diploma or equivalent required/four year accredited college degree preferred
• Minimum 3 years progressively responsible traffic management or logistics experience
• Excellent communication skills (verbal, written, and interpersonal)
• Strong negotiation and phone skills
• Strong leadership and relationship building skills
• Must be proficient in Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills & multitasking ability
• Knowledge and understanding of company safety, attendance and disciplinary policies
• Strong presentation skills including the ability to speak to large groups and lead meetings.

Safety:

• Proper PPE (gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, approved footwear).
• Knowledge and understanding of company safety policies. This includes safety policies for visitors and contractors.
• Knowledge and understanding of company Lockout procedures.
• Ability to recognize and report unsafe behaviors in employees and supervisors.

Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to climb permanent and temporary stairs, move in and out of rail cars, climb ladders and negotiate work areas in the manufacturing environment. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Performing this job requires repetitive use of hands and fingers. Position requires the individual to frequently walk, sit, stand, bend, and balance. Occasional need to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Employee must be able to frequently lift 25lbs and occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds.

Working Environment: This position will work both in an office (80%) and outside (20%) in the manufacturing environment and is exposed to seasonal weather conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to noise or vibration, fumes, dust, odors, wood fibers, airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and risk of electrical shock. The noise in these work environments is usually moderate to very loud.

Personal Protective Equipment Required: (1) Eye Protection. (2) Hearing Protection. (3) Safety Vest (4) Approved Footwear (5) hard hat.

Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other status protected by law.