Associate Transportation Planner

Smithfield Foods•Suffolk, VA

About The Position

The Supply Chain team is looking for a detail-oriented Associate Transportation Planner to help optimize our transportation and distribution network. In this role, you’ll analyze supply chain processes to reduce freight costs, improve material efficiency, and ensure on-time delivery of our products to customers and consumers. You’ll leverage your knowledge of U.S. geography, transportation costing, and Hours-of-Service regulations to support strategic planning and execution. If you’re motivated by problem-solving and passionate about keeping shelves stocked and supply chains moving, this is your opportunity to make an impact!

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Company will consider a currently enrolled college student with an anticipated graduation by end of current school year as qualified.
Understanding of transportation industry, rate structures, and current trends.
Experience in the transportation industry, rate structures, and current trends.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Office Suite.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Ability to build strong relationships and work collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the food/meat industry preferred.
Familiarity with SAP is a plus.
Respectful, approachable, and team-oriented with a focus on creating a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

Review daily orders for accuracy and proper routing.
Build efficient truckloads for geographic areas (single and multi-stop), balancing cost and service.
Tender loads to awarded contract carriers for both customer and inter-company shipments.
Identify and onboard new carriers to add value and improve transportation options.
Maximize truck utilization by seeking additional orders to optimize weight.
Collaborate with product schedulers to ensure accurate inter-company moves.
Support cost-reduction and efficiency initiatives to maintain a competitive edge in refrigerated transportation.
Schedule delivery appointments with customers to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.

Benefits

Robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs
Medical plans with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
Support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
Comprehensive training and professional development programs
LinkedIn Learning access on-demand courses, professional certificates, and skill-based training.
Tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs through Guild.
Leadership development initiatives.
Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement for obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner.