Outbound Freight Manager

Nefco•New Albany, OH

About The Position

The Outbound Freight Manager plans, coordinates, and executes outbound freight shipments that move outside NEFCO’s normal private-fleet delivery network. The role evaluates shipment requirements, selects effective and economical transportation methods, coordinates brokered carriers, ensures freight is properly prepared and documented, and works across teams to provide reliable, cost-conscious service to NEFCO customers and Orangefield locations. The manager reviews outbound shipment demand and chooses among Orangefield or service-center shuttles, parcel carriers, and brokered carriers based on destination, shipment size, product type, urgency, service requirements, and cost. The role proactively plans time-sensitive transportation, coordinates appropriate equipment, adjusts plans as needs change, and identifies opportunities to reduce freight costs. Working with Shipping and warehouse leadership, the manager ensures freight is picked, consolidated, wrapped, labeled, weighed, measured, staged, and ready for pickup. The role oversees accurate shipping documentation and records, coordinates carrier pickups and loading, prepares freight quotes, and communicates costs to stakeholders. It also supports outbound freight planning for new and growing Orangefield locations, helps standardize freight procedures, supports provider and technology evaluations and carrier/broker compliance, and recommends process improvements based on recurring service and operational issues. The position works with Sales, Customer Service, Shipping, Inventory, Transportation, and carrier partners to resolve freight issues and protect the customer experience. It requires adherence to safe work practices, completion of assigned training, and support for company safety, compliance, and continuous-improvement expectations. The role is responsible for upholding the Leader’s Safety Six protocol: Don’t tolerate unsafe acts; identify and fix unsafe conditions; report every incident; conduct accident investigations; communicate with HR about incidents and subsequent investigations; and walk the talk.

Requirements

At least 2 years of experience in logistics, transportation, freight, warehousing, distribution, or a related operational environment is preferred.
Experience coordinating LTL, truckload, flatbed, box truck, sprinter van, parcel, or brokered transportation is strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of shipment planning, carrier selection, Bills of Lading, freight documentation, weights, dimensions, and shipment staging.
Demonstrated ability to balance customer service, transportation cost, urgency, and operational requirements when making freight decisions.
Effective communication skills and ability to work with warehouse teams, Sales, Customer Service, carriers, and transportation partners.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Ability to use NEFCO’s ERP and shipping systems.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Outlook and Excel, and ability to learn carrier, broker, manifest, and document-management systems.
Strong organizational, analytical, and basic math skills, with excellent attention to detail.
Ability to establish priorities, work independently, and manage multiple time-sensitive shipments in a fast-paced environment.
Positive, customer-focused, hands-on attitude and comfort working in a warehouse/distribution environment.
Ability to review and interpret shipping documents, computer images, manifests, BOLs, product information, and written procedures.
Ability to safely operate warehouse equipment when required and maintain applicable certifications.

Nice To Haves

College degree or relevant logistics/transportation experience preferred.
Experience with Eclipse or similar ERP/WMS systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

Review outbound shipment demand and select an appropriate shipping method based on destination, shipment size, product type, urgency, service requirements, and cost.
Evaluate and coordinate Orangefield or service-center shuttles, parcel carriers, and brokered carriers.
Analyze outbound and picking queues to identify next-day or time-sensitive freight and schedule carriers proactively.
Coordinate brokered transportation and select suitable equipment, including flatbeds, box trucks, and sprinter vans.
Choose economical transportation options that meet customer and operational requirements and identify opportunities to reduce freight costs.
Adjust carrier plans, stop sequences, and equipment requirements when shipment volumes or customer needs change.
Partner with Shipping and warehouse leadership to ensure freight is picked, consolidated, wrapped, labeled, weighed, measured, staged, and ready for carrier arrival.
Match shipments accurately to ship tickets, manifests, Bills of Lading (BOLs), and other required documentation.
Create or coordinate Best Way manifests and ensure freight costs, carrier information, shipment photos, BOLs, and related documentation are captured and retained in NEFCO systems.
Communicate transportation costs to stakeholders and escalate shipments requiring business approval or with costs disproportionate to product value.
Maintain visibility into pickup and staging details, including freight identification, stop sequence, carrier, and shipment status.
Coordinate carrier arrival, loading, signed BOLs, PRO numbers, and completion of outbound freight documentation.
Work with Sales, Customer Service, Shipping, Inventory, Transportation, and carrier partners to resolve freight issues and protect the customer experience.
Prepare freight quotes for Sales and Purchasing by evaluating carrier options, service requirements, shipment characteristics, and cost.
Respond to daily freight-quote requests with timely, accurate transportation-cost estimates.
Provide outbound freight planning and transportation support for new and growing Orangefield locations before normal branch delivery capabilities are fully operational.
Track recurring service, cost, carrier, damage, delay, and documentation issues and recommend process improvements.
Help develop and maintain standardized outbound freight procedures and best practices across applicable NEFCO locations.
Support evaluation of third-party providers and technology, as well as carrier and broker contracting requirements and compliance initiatives.
Ensure safe work practices during freight staging, carrier interaction, and loading activities.
Complete assigned NEFCO training and support company safety, compliance, and continuous-improvement expectations.
Uphold the Leader’s Safety Six protocol: don’t tolerate unsafe acts; identify and fix unsafe conditions; report every incident; conduct accident investigations; communicate with HR about incidents and subsequent investigations; and walk the talk.