Assistant Manager, Transportation

Cedar Crest Dairy Inc•Dearborn, MI

20d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Transportation Manager supports the Director of Transportation by overseeing the day-to-day performance, safety, and execution of delivery routes within their assigned region (East or West Michigan). This role is heavily focused on driver oversight, coaching, training, and safety compliance, ensuring routes are executed efficiently and in alignment with Cedar Crest Dairy’s service and safety standards. This is a hands-on leadership role that works closely with drivers in the field to reinforce expectations and drive continuous improvement.

Requirements

2–5 years of experience in transportation, distribution, or delivery operations.
Working knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, and OSHA regulations.
Strong coaching and leadership skills with a hands-on approach.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong problem-solving and decision-making ability.
Ability to multi-task and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel and Word).

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in business or related field preferred.
Previous experience supervising or leading drivers preferred.
Experience in a Direct Store Delivery (DSD) environment is a plus.
Experience with routing software and telematics systems (Samsara preferred).

Responsibilities

Supervise and support Route Salesmen/Drivers within assigned region.
Monitor daily route execution to ensure on-time, accurate deliveries.
Conduct regular ride-alongs to evaluate driver performance and reinforce expectations.
Address performance concerns including attendance, productivity, and service levels.
Partner with the Director of Transportation and HR on performance management and corrective action.
Enforce safety policies and expectations in daily operations.
Utilize Samsara data and coaching tools provided by the Safety & Compliance Coordinator.
Partner with the Safety & Compliance Coordinator on driver coaching plans, follow-up training, and incident response.
Maintain direct accountability for driver behavior and compliance in their region.
Train new drivers on routes, safety standards, delivery procedures, and customer expectations.
Provide ongoing coaching to improve driver efficiency, safety, and customer service.
Reinforce proper product handling and delivery best practices.
Identify development opportunities and recommend improvements.
Support the Director in maintaining efficient routing and route coverage.
Assist with daily dispatch needs, including call-offs and route adjustments.
Help coordinate special deliveries and resolve day-of delivery issues.
Communicate route updates and expectations clearly to drivers.
Address and resolve delivery-related issues in a timely and professional manner.
Support drivers in maintaining strong customer relationships.
Ensure service expectations are consistently met across all routes.
Serve as a key link between drivers, dispatch, warehouse, and leadership.
Ensure clear and consistent communication across teams to support daily operations.
Help eliminate operational silos by reinforcing teamwork and accountability.
Track driver performance metrics, including safety scores (Samsara), on-time delivery, and route completion.
Provide regular updates and insights to the Director of Transportation.
Identify trends and escalate concerns proactively.