Driver Manager

Ashley Furniture Industries•Redlands, CA

3d•$73,000 - $83,000

About The Position

The Driver Manager manages the daily activities of a group of professional drivers (“Ambassadors”) to ensure safe, on-time, and cost-effective transportation service. This role is the primary point of contact for assigned drivers, providing direction, support, and performance management while ensuring compliance with DOT/FMCSA regulations and company policies. The Driver Manager balances service, safety, and productivity by monitoring performance, managing hours of service (HOS), resolving issues, and coordinating with dispatch, planning, customer service, and operations teams. The role operates primarily in a transportation or operations office, with frequent phone and system-based communication. It may include visits to yards, docks, and distribution centers, exposure to outdoor weather, noise, and moving equipment, and occasional travel to remote locations, ride-alongs, or regional operations.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
2–4 years of experience in transportation, dispatch, driver management, or logistics operations.
Working knowledge of DOT/FMCSA regulations and HOS requirements.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build rapport with drivers and cross-functional partners.
Solid organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple drivers and issues simultaneously.
Basic analytical skills and the ability to interpret performance data and make informed decisions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook, and ability to learn TMS and telematics systems.
Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and on-call rotation as needed.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, business administration, or a related field.
Experience in dedicated fleet operations, regional or over-the-road trucking, or last-mile delivery.
Experience with TMS platforms, ELD systems, and telematics tools.
CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) or prior commercial driving experience; helpful but not required.
Experience in a furniture, retail, or manufacturing distribution environment.
Exposure to Lean or continuous improvement methodologies.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison for assigned drivers, providing daily direction, support, communication, and performance coaching.
Build strong relationships with drivers, conduct regular check-ins, support onboarding and training, and promote driver retention.
Monitor driver performance, including on-time delivery, safety, HOS compliance, productivity, and customer service.
Coordinate driver assignments with dispatch and planning teams, and ensure drivers understand loads, routes, appointment windows, and special instructions.
Monitor load progress and address delays, breakdowns, weather disruptions, and other service-impacting events; adjust plans while respecting HOS and safety requirements.
Help optimize driver utilization by minimizing empty miles, maximizing miles per day, and balancing work across the fleet.
Ensure compliance with DOT/FMCSA regulations, HOS, ELD usage, vehicle inspections, and driver qualification requirements.
Promote safe driving, review safety events and violations, support corrective action plans, and coordinate compliance or training issues with safety, HR, and fleet maintenance.
Verify drivers complete required pre-trip and post-trip inspections and promptly report equipment defects.
Escalate and help resolve driver- or load-related issues, service failures, appointment issues, detention, access challenges, and on-the-road problems.
Communicate service updates, delays, and resolution plans to customer service, operations, sales, and other internal stakeholders.
Track driver metrics such as on-time performance, miles, fuel usage, idle time, out-of-route miles, and safety indicators.
Use transportation management systems (TMS), telematics, HOS, and ELD data to monitor performance, compliance, and trip-planning effectiveness.
Provide input on driver performance reviews, pay recommendations, and incentive programs; identify trends and recommend process improvements.
Collaborate with transportation leadership, dispatch, planning, customer service, fleet maintenance, and warehouse operations, and participate in operations meetings.
Communicate company policies and changes to drivers and support implementation of network changes, new lanes, and service models.
Demonstrate company values, take a hands-on approach by visiting yards, docks, and roads, and promote accountability, continuous improvement, and customer-centered service.