Manager of Outbound Freight

At Bell Lumber & Pole, we’re looking for a driven, strategic, and hands-on Manager of Outbound Freight to lead our outbound transportation operations and keep our supply chain moving. In this role, you’ll own freight strategy and execution across truckload (TL/LTL), rail, transloading, and international import/export, ensuring shipments move safely, efficiently, and on time.

You’ll build strong carrier partnerships, identify opportunities to optimize transportation costs, protect freight margins, and develop key customer relationships, all while delivering an exceptional customer experience. This is an opportunity to combine big-picture thinking with hands-on leadership, drive continuous improvement, and make a measurable impact on operational performance and profitability.

As part of our team, you’ll bring our mission to life by radically loving and influencing lives, working collaboratively, leading with excellence, stewarding resources responsibly, and embracing an entrepreneurial spirit. As the Manager of Outbound Freight, you will: Oversee daily dispatch operations for truckload (TL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers, ensuring efficient routing, load consolidation, and equipment availability.

Direct outbound rail shipping strategies, fleet/car management, rail spot placement, and transload facility operations to streamline wood and steel pole freight movement. Oversee cross-border and international shipments (ocean, air, and international rail/trucking), ensuring compliance with customs regulations, export documentation (Incoterms, Bills of Lading, Commercial Invoices), and port/terminal workflows.

Manage carrier negotiations, spot market bidding, and contracted rate structures to maintain and grow positive freight margins. Analyze freight costs, accessorial fees, detention/demurrage charges, and fuel surcharges to identify cost-saving initiatives and protect overall profitability. Work with finance to review and approve freight invoices, ensuring strict adherence to contracted rates and prompt dispute resolution.

Serve as the primary logistics point of contact for key client accounts, conducting regular reviews and aligning freight strategies with client service-level agreements (SLAs). Collaborate closely with Sales and Customer Service teams to provide clear shipping visibility, proactive updates, and swift problem resolution.

Act as an escalation point for delivery delays, freight damage claims, rerouting requests, or customs holds. Monitor, track, and drive improvement in OTD scores across all transport modes through root-cause analysis of delays and carrier scorecarding. Establish, track, and report on key operational metrics, including carrier acceptance rates, transit times, freight cost per unit/ton, and customer satisfaction scores.

Identify bottlenecks in dispatch, transloading, or documentation processes and implement lean standard operating procedures (SOPs). Achieve and maintain standard target (e.g., ≥ 95–98% OTD). 99% for Key Customers Maintain target gross freight margins and achieve cost reduction targets annually. Maintain secondary/primary carrier tender acceptance rates and minimize spot market reliance.

Meet or exceed key customer shipping and communication SLAs. Minimize non-standard logistics charges across rail, ocean, and motor carriers. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; the employee may be required to perform other duties and assume additional responsibilities as needed or requested to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, logistics, business administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant operational experience. Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in freight management, dispatch, or outbound logistics. Other Requirements: Proficiency in Transportation Management Systems (TMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software (e.

g., SAP, Oracle), and routing/dispatch tools. Solid understanding of international shipping regulations, Incoterms 2020, customs compliance, and export procedures. Advanced Excel / analytical skills for data modeling, carrier scorecarding, and cost reporting. Preferred Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), or Customs Specialist certification.

Direct experience in bulk/industrial commodities or multi-modal timber/wood/heavy freight handling. Strong negotiation and carrier management capabilities. Outstanding communication and key account management skills. High crisis-management capabilities and agility in fast-paced operational environments. ___ Discover how Bell’s mission and values are the core of our purpose — Learn more about our story .

Benefits

In addition to competitive pay, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including: Health, dental, and vision insurance (with HRA and FSA) 401(k) with company match Short and long-term disability insurance Life insurance Paid holidays and generous paid time off Professional development opportunities Employee assistance and employee/community hardship programs Bell Lumber & Pole is an equal opportunity employer.

Bell Lumber & Pole is proud to be an equal-opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. This applies to all employment practices within our organization, including hiring, recruiting, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and apprenticeship. Bell makes hiring decisions based solely on qualifications, merit, and business needs at the time.

Bell is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please call 651-203-2719 or send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

For additional details, you can read our EEO Policy .