Transportation Manager

Job Description: The Transportation Manager is responsible for overseeing all transportation operations to ensure the safe, timely, and cost-effective movement of products between company facilities and customers. This role manages drivers, fleet operations, transportation compliance, route planning, and logistics coordination while maintaining the highest standards of safety, food safety, customer service, and regulatory compliance.

The Transportation Manager plays a critical role in supporting production and distribution operations by ensuring efficient transportation scheduling, fleet utilization, and delivery performance.

Essential Functions

• Transportation Operations Management: Manage daily transportation operations including local deliveries, regional routes, and inter-facility transfers. Develop and oversee driver schedules to support customer deliveries and production requirements. Monitor route efficiency, delivery performance, and transportation costs. Ensure transportation resources are utilized effectively to maximize productivity and fleet efficiency. Coordinate transportation support during peak production periods and seasonal demand fluctuations.
• Driver Leadership & Development: Supervise, coach, and develop CDL and non-CDL drivers. Conduct driver evaluations and performance reviews. Provide ongoing training related to safety, food safety, DOT regulations, and company policies. Monitor driver performance metrics and address performance concerns as necessary. Support recruitment, onboarding, and retention of qualified drivers.
• DOT & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with all DOT, FMCSA, state, and local transportation regulations. Monitor driver qualification files, licenses, medical certifications, and training records. Track Hours of Service compliance and driver log requirements. Oversee vehicle inspection programs and maintenance compliance. Support transportation audits and regulatory inspections.
• Fleet Management: Coordinate preventive maintenance and repair schedules for trucks, trailers, and transportation equipment. Work closely with Maintenance to ensure fleet reliability and operational readiness. Monitor vehicle utilization, fuel consumption, maintenance expenses, and equipment performance. Assist with fleet replacement planning and capital equipment recommendations.
• Food Safety & Quality Compliance: Ensure refrigerated equipment maintains required temperatures to protect product quality. Enforce food safety, sanitation, and transportation procedures. Ensure product integrity is maintained throughout transportation and delivery activities. Partner with QA and Operations to address transportation-related quality concerns.
• Cost Management & Reporting: Monitor transportation expenses including fuel, maintenance, labor, and third-party carrier costs. Analyze transportation metrics and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements. Prepare operational reports related to delivery performance, fleet utilization, safety, and transportation costs. Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to transportation operations.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Warehouse, Production, Procurement, QA, Sales, and Customer Service teams. Coordinate transportation schedules with daily production and shipping needs. Support continuous improvement initiatives that improve service levels and transportation efficiency. Serve as a key liaison between transportation operations and company leadership
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field preferred. Experience: Minimum of 5 years of transportation, logistics, fleet, or distribution management experience. Minimum of 2 years of supervisory or management experience. Skills:

• Strong knowledge of DOT regulations, driver qualification requirements, and transportation compliance.
• Experience managing CDL drivers and commercial transportation operations.
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and transportation management systems.
• Ability to work flexible schedules, including weekends and after-hours support as needed.
• Experience in food manufacturing, produce distribution, or refrigerated transportation.
• Experience managing regional transportation operations.
• CDL Class A license preferred but not required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience with fleet telematics, routing software, and transportation analytics. Work Environment:
• Work is performed in office, warehouse, production, transportation, and distribution environments.
• Frequent interaction with drivers, warehouse personnel, production teams, and customers.
• Regular visits to loading docks, warehouse facilities, truck yards, and production areas.
• Exposure to refrigerated environments and varying weather conditions.
• Required to follow all PPE guidelines when entering production or warehouse areas, including hairnets, beard nets, safety vests, gloves, and other required protective equipment.
• Closed-toe, slip-resistant footwear is required at all times.
• Availability may be required outside of normal business hours to support transportation operations, emergencies, or staffing needs. Physical Demands:
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Ability to travel between company facilities and transportation locations as needed.
• Frequent movement between office, warehouse, and outdoor environments.
• Occasional bending, reaching, climbing, and lifting up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to inspect vehicles, trailers, loading operations, and transportation equipment.
• Ability to wear required PPE when entering warehouse, transportation, or production areas.
• Visual ability to review transportation reports, vehicle inspections, compliance documentation, and routing information.
• Ability to respond to transportation emergencies and operational issues as needed.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position).

Benefits

-401(k) matching -Dental insurance -Health insurance -Paid time off -Referral program -Vision insurance We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.