Transportation Load Planner

SUGAR FOODS•Villa Rica, GA

About The Position

The Transportation Load Planner plays a critical role in optimizing transportation operations across multiple business units. This position is responsible for load planning, carrier selection, route optimization, transportation system support, and logistics data analysis to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and service-focused freight movement.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Transportation, or related field, or equivalent experience.
2+ years of experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain, dispatch, or load planning.
Experience working with a Transportation Management System (TMS).
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience using Oracle Transportation Management (OTM) or a similar transportation planning system for load planning, routing, carrier assignment, and transportation execution.
Knowledge of truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), intermodal, brokerage, and dedicated fleet operations.
Familiarity with transportation network optimization, freight analytics, and KPI reporting.
Experience in food manufacturing, foodservice distribution, consumer packaged goods (CPG), or related industries.

Responsibilities

Develop and validate daily shipment plans using the Transportation Management System (TMS).
Plan, optimize, route, and schedule shipments across all transportation modes.
Select and assign carriers based on service requirements, cost, and network efficiencies.
Ensure freight is tendered and executed in accordance with customer delivery commitments.
Coordinate carrier pickup appointments and delivery schedules.
Manage exceptions, expedited orders, schedule changes, and service disruptions.
Partner closely with Customer Service, Distribution, Production, and Transportation teams.
Communicate daily shipment plans and transportation updates.
Resolve transportation issues involving customers, carriers, warehouses, and internal teams.
Monitor shipment status and ensure timely pickups and deliveries.
Negotiate spot-market pricing for truckload and volume shipments.
Build and maintain strong carrier relationships.
Identify opportunities to reduce freight spend through optimization and consolidation.
Drive initiatives that reduce empty miles and overall transportation costs.
Analyze transportation performance data and develop recommendations.
Identify network synergies across business units.
Support Transportation Management System enhancements and process improvements.
Develop reports, dashboards, and KPIs.
Participate in cross-functional projects as the Transportation team representative.