Transportation Manager (Final Mile Operations)

Ashley Furniture Industries•Smyrna, TN

6d•$75,000 - $100,000•Onsite

About The Position

Ashley Furniture is seeking a Transportation Manager to lead final-mile delivery operations at a retail fulfillment center. The role oversees route optimization, carrier partnerships, delivery teams, fleet operations, and customer experience to ensure furniture deliveries are timely and handled with care. The position also manages operating budgets, performance analytics, process improvement, and compliance with safety and Department of Transportation requirements. The role is based in an active industrial manufacturing and distribution center with moderate to high noise levels, temperature variations, and material-handling equipment. It may involve extended periods of standing or walking on concrete floors and using personal protective equipment such as safety glasses and steel-toed boots. The fast-paced, time-sensitive and safety-sensitive environment may include various shift schedules to support production and distribution needs.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in logistics, transportation, or last-mile delivery operations.
At least 3 years of people-management experience leading frontline operations teams.
Strong understanding of route optimization, fleet management, and delivery logistics.
Proven track record of managing budgets and driving operational efficiency.
Experience with transportation management systems (TMS) and routing software.
Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field (listed as preferred in the qualifications).
Experience in retail, e-commerce, or furniture/large-item delivery operations.
Knowledge of DOT regulations and commercial driver requirements.
Lean Six Sigma or other process-improvement certification.
Experience with last-mile technology platforms such as Onfleet or Bringg.
Familiarity with white-glove delivery services and in-home setup operations.
Experience managing both in-house delivery teams and third-party carriers.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily final-mile delivery operations, including route planning, scheduling, and dispatch.
Manage delivery fleet operations, ensuring vehicles are maintained, compliant, and efficiently utilized.
Monitor real-time delivery performance and proactively address service disruptions.
Coordinate with warehouse operations to ensure a seamless handoff from fulfillment to delivery.
Implement and maintain standard operating procedures for final-mile processes.
Ensure compliance with DOT regulations, safety standards, and company policies.
Recruit, train, and develop delivery drivers, dispatchers, and coordinators.
Conduct performance evaluations and coach employees to improve team results.
Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and customer service excellence.
Manage staffing levels to meet fluctuating demand and seasonal volume changes.
Lead daily huddles to align the team on priorities and performance.
Build and maintain relationships with third-party delivery carriers and service providers.
Negotiate contracts and service-level agreements to optimize cost and service quality.
Monitor carrier performance metrics and conduct regular business reviews.
Identify and onboard delivery partners to expand capacity and coverage.
Resolve escalated carrier issues related to service failures or billing.
Track and analyze KPIs, including on-time delivery, cost per delivery, and customer satisfaction.
Identify trends, root causes of failures, and improvement opportunities.
Implement process improvements and technology solutions to enhance efficiency.
Develop and present performance reports to senior leadership.
Lead cross-functional projects to optimize end-to-end fulfillment processes.
Ensure proactive customer communication about delivery windows and status updates.
Manage escalated customer issues and drive resolution.
Implement customer feedback mechanisms to improve service quality.
Collaborate with customer service teams on delivery-related inquiries.
Maintain customer satisfaction scores at or above company targets.
Develop and manage the annual operating budget for final-mile operations.
Monitor daily expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities.
Optimize route density and delivery efficiency to reduce per-unit costs.
Track and report budget variance and implement corrective actions.