What are the responsibilities and job description for the Outbound Freight Manager position at W3Global?
Our client, a nationwide, industry-leading manufacturer, is searching for an Outbound Freight Manager with responsibilities that span the nation. This position reports to the Director of Operations.
In this role, the Outbound Freight Manager will be responsible for analyzing and driving the reduction of outbound freight costs for the client's manufacturing plants. The manager will have access to a centralized SQL database that houses outbound load data, along with existing Excel-based reports that pull directly from this system. The client welcomes candidates who bring ideas for creating additional reports, tools, or analyses to further optimize freight performance.
A minimum of five years of experience negotiating and analyzing freight costs is required. Experience negotiating bulk freight rates, customer service experience, and a college degree are preferred. Our client seeks individuals interested in building a long-term career with a proven, industry-leading organization. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package based on expertise and experience.
Responsibilities
The Outbound Freight Manager must be highly self-motivated with a strong continuous improvement mindset and a proven ability to solve commercial and operational challenges. This individual must be comfortable working directly with data and details while also influencing outcomes through others.
Who You Are
In this role, the Outbound Freight Manager will be responsible for analyzing and driving the reduction of outbound freight costs for the client's manufacturing plants. The manager will have access to a centralized SQL database that houses outbound load data, along with existing Excel-based reports that pull directly from this system. The client welcomes candidates who bring ideas for creating additional reports, tools, or analyses to further optimize freight performance.
A minimum of five years of experience negotiating and analyzing freight costs is required. Experience negotiating bulk freight rates, customer service experience, and a college degree are preferred. Our client seeks individuals interested in building a long-term career with a proven, industry-leading organization. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package based on expertise and experience.
Responsibilities
- Overall responsibility for managing outbound freight costs to maximize profitability at each plant location.
- Analyze outbound freight data using existing SQL-based reports and Excel tools; develop additional reports or tools as needed to identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Identify and onboard new outside haulers using load boards, bulk load tools, and market research to reduce freight costs.
- Utilize load boards and other freight sourcing tools to secure favorable bulk freight rates.
- Work closely with Transportation Managers at each plant to ensure weekly shipments occur on time, at the lowest possible cost, and without service issues.
- Compare freight and performance data across all company plants to identify best practices and profit-improvement opportunities.
- Conduct weekly performance reviews with the Director of Operations.
- Perform monthly reviews to investigate variances between freight billed and freight paid; communicate findings and drive resolution of discrepancies.
- Negotiate directly with trucking firms and coach Transportation Managers on effective freight negotiation strategies.
- Review weekly freight costs, analyzing cost per ton, cost per trip, and cost per mile during regular calls with each plant.
- Explore and implement backhaul opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
- Analyze the feasibility of developing company-owned outbound trucking on designated lanes and present business cases when justified.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of end-customer delivery requirements, including experience with multiple trailer types such as hopper bottoms, belt trailers, walking floors, and end dumps.
The Outbound Freight Manager must be highly self-motivated with a strong continuous improvement mindset and a proven ability to solve commercial and operational challenges. This individual must be comfortable working directly with data and details while also influencing outcomes through others.
- Minimum of five years of experience in transportation, logistics, or freight management with a strong emphasis on outbound and bulk freight.
- Proven experience negotiating bulk freight rates and managing relationships with carriers and haulers.
- Experience using load boards and freight sourcing tools to identify cost-effective transportation solutions.
- Strong analytical skills with experience working from SQL-driven data and Excel-based reports; ability and interest in developing new reporting tools is a plus.
- Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and motivate a nationwide group of Transportation Managers who are not direct reports.
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Demonstrated leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving capabilities.
Who You Are
- Strong character: Always does the right thing, communicates honestly and transparently, and is highly dependable.
- Results-driven: Possesses a strong sense of urgency and the energy to achieve goals.
- Detail-oriented: Organized, analytical, and process-focused.
- Collaborative leader: Works well with others and is capable of coaching and motivating teams to achieve company objectives.