Strategic Capacity Brokerage Specialist - Flatbed

Forward Air Services•Des Plaines, IL

3d•$80,000 - $90,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Capacity Brokerage Specialist supports specialized brokerage growth by developing reliable capacity solutions for flatbed, open-deck, high-value, and complex freight. The role builds and manages a strategic network of qualified carriers, sources appropriate equipment for challenging shipments, negotiates competitive rates, and coordinates execution from initial capacity sourcing through final delivery. The specialist owns carrier relationships and capacity strategy to help deliver reliable solutions for demanding freight opportunities. Success in this role combines carrier sales expertise, specialized freight knowledge, negotiation, risk awareness, and operational execution. The specialist develops dependable carrier partnerships, understands the requirements of flatbed and high-value transportation, secures competitive capacity, protects service expectations, and serves as a resource for complex freight opportunities. The position is 100% on-site and involves travel for related meetings and events.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
At least five years of direct experience in freight brokerage and truckload transportation.
Confidently build carrier relationships, manage pricing conversations, and secure capacity in competitive markets.
Strong phone and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to prospect new carriers and strengthen existing partnerships.
Recognize when shipments require additional carrier qualification, security considerations, equipment validation, or planning.
Make quick, data-informed decisions based on changing capacity, rates, equipment availability, and customer requirements.
Take responsibility for freight from capacity sourcing through execution and proactively address potential problems.
Work effectively with carrier sales, customer management, tracking, operations, and leadership.
Develop repeatable capacity for key customers, lanes, equipment types, and specialized opportunities rather than focusing only on individual bookings.
Demonstrate discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive information.
Be proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs and Microsoft O365 applications such as Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Transportation Management Systems and freight operations platforms such as McLeod, AS400, World-trak, and SMC3; and web conferencing tools such as Teams, Zoom, and Webex.
Be comfortable commuting to and working in a 100% on-site setting, with travel for related meetings and events.

Nice To Haves

Undergraduate degree.
Direct experience with high-value, specialized, or operationally complex freight, including flatbed or open-deck.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain relationships with carriers specializing in flatbed, step deck, specialized/open-deck, and high-value transportation; understand their equipment, preferred lanes, capabilities, service expectations, and capacity.
Identify, qualify, and develop new carrier partners for specialized and high-value shipments using internal tools, industry databases, market intelligence, and direct outreach.
Assess market conditions and shipment requirements to negotiate competitive spot and contractual rates while balancing service, carrier quality, customer requirements, and margin performance.
Coordinate capacity for high-value and sensitive shipments, with attention to carrier qualification, shipment requirements, secure execution, and customer expectations.
Match freight with appropriate equipment, considering dimensions, weight, securement, tarping, permits, escorts, and other specialized transportation needs when applicable.
Coordinate carrier booking, dispatch, pickup, transit, and delivery; partner with tracking and operations teams to address service exceptions promptly.
Respond to capacity disruptions, changing market conditions, equipment constraints, and last-minute shipment requirements with practical transportation solutions.
Build long-term carrier partnerships through consistent opportunities, clear communication, and professional issue resolution.
Collaborate with Customer Account Managers, Carrier Sales, Tracking Specialists, and leadership on capacity strategies that support customer growth and service expectations.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.