Load Control Supervisor

Smithfield Foods • Suffolk, VA

4d

About The Position

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. The Load Control Supervisor is responsible for overseeing the Transportation team to ensure efficient, reliable, and timely service delivery to customers. This role serves as a critical communication link between transportation providers, sales teams, brokers, and customers, fostering collaboration and operational excellence. The position also involves proactive problem resolution to maintain superior service standards and support Smithfield’s commitment to customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university and 2+ years of relevant experience in Transportation, Logistics or Customer Service; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Leadership: Experience acting as a lead by providing training, coaching or mentoring to less experienced staff or managing processes and projects, required.
• Transportation Expertise: Understanding of transportation pricing, negotiation strategies, and carrier management.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office and Transportation Management Systems.
• Geographic Knowledge: Strong understanding of U.S. geography for route planning and optimization.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong critical thinking skills and ability to work through complex, unstructured problems.
• Communication Skills: Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely in both written and verbal formats.
• Organizational & Interpersonal Skills: High level of planning, teamwork, adaptability, and analytical reasoning.
• Negotiation Skills: Proven ability to negotiate competitive rates and resolve conflicts effectively.
• Availability: Must be accessible to address customer service issues after hours.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's Degree, preferred.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with DOT, State, and Federal regulations (preferred).
• Team Collaboration: Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while fostering a respectful, approachable, and team-oriented culture.

Responsibilities

• Service Implementation: Communicate and implement new service offerings to the Transportation team; assist in developing and initiating plans for raw material movement.
• Carrier Performance Management: Track and analyze carrier performance through cost, equipment availability, and service levels; recommend improvements to enhance transportation programs.
• Policy Compliance: Ensure adherence to carrier utilization policies for safe, timely, and cost-effective shipment handling.
• Decision-Making on Exceptions: Resolve unique transportation issues, including product shortages, carrier reassignment, and ensuring on-time delivery.
• Staff Leadership: Plan and direct work through team members to maintain efficient and effective customer service.
• Performance Metrics: Achieve transportation performance targets as defined by upper management.
• Rate Negotiation: Understand transportation pricing and negotiate competitive market rates.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Maintain close coordination with shipping facilities and other transportation supervisory staff.

Benefits

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Our partnership with GUILD supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning and various certificate programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent.
• For those looking to build specialized skills, we offer apprenticeship programs that combine hands-on experience with focused learning.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Smithfield’s Education Reimbursement Program provides financial reimbursement to team members who want to further their formal education by obtaining a GED/High School Equivalency (HSE) Diploma or by pursuing an academic degree at an accredited college or university that is not a Guild learning partner.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees