Transportation Network Coordinator/Load Planner

CR England•West Jefferson, OH

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Load Planner - Transportation Network Coordinator works in a fast-paced, strategic environment, planning for rapidly changing situations while maintaining a positive, team-oriented attitude. The role manages asset utilization and drivers to support customer service and fleet profitability. It involves matching freight with trucks and drivers, coordinating dispatches and schedules, communicating with drivers and other departments, tracking loads, and responding to operational issues. In dedicated operations, the coordinator also arranges backhauls; in OTR training environments, the role coordinates trainer and trainee needs, training progression, and routing.

Requirements

Prior logistics or planning experience is needed.
Strong geographical knowledge and expertise in time and distance requirements as they relate to Department of Transportation regulations are needed.
Ability to work with office equipment and use computers for most tasks.
Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite programs.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to have critical conversations with drivers when necessary.
Organization and attention to detail.
Strong customer-service and customer-retention orientation.
Ability to manage time effectively across daily and long-term tasks.
Ability to work in a high-volume, fast-paced transportation environment.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Ability to communicate in English through speaking, writing, and reading.
Ability to hear sufficiently to perceive normal speaking levels and receive detailed information, with or without correction.
Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods and work with computer equipment.
Visual acuity, with or without correction, sufficient to prepare and analyze data and figures, view a computer terminal, and read extensively.
Position may involve kneeling, stooping, bending, pushing, lifting, carrying, and moving objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

College degree preferred; a combination of college work and experience will be considered.
Transportation or logistics industry experience preferred.
Knowledge of industry-specific IT programs is helpful.

Responsibilities

Build and match planned freight with day cabs or condo trucks and drivers.
In OTR training environments, coordinate trainers' and trainees' hours and home-time needs.
Review PTAs and driver requests for time off or home time when planning same-day or next-day dispatches.
Schedule work and assign tasks to drivers.
Coordinate with department colleagues regarding driver, freight, and asset availability.
Flag drivers who may need support, coaching, or disciplinary action to supervisors and managers.
Coordinate with Maintenance regarding trucks that are out of service or returning to service, and plan dispatches accordingly.
Plan future freight when customer information is available.
Track drivers, loads, and receivers to ensure dispatch plans proceed as intended.
In dedicated operations, coordinate backhauls to meet customer needs and keep freight, trucks, and trailers moving.
Maintain frequent contact with assigned drivers and monitor call-offs, fatigue concerns, and equipment issues.
In OTR training environments, ensure trainees progress appropriately to the next training phase and placement.
Ensure loads assigned to team drivers are appropriate for the teams and available hours.
Monitor Hours of Service for dispatching and compliance.
In OTR training environments, focus on routing trucks or solo drivers with capacity to a terminal for greater efficiency.
Handle urgent situations, including recovery of trucks, freight, or drivers, as well as traffic, weather, and other issues that may prevent on-time delivery.
Help orient new drivers to fleets or accounts, including communication, reporting-to-work, and scheduling expectations.
Work with drivers to address unique scheduling needs and emerging issues.
Coordinate with supervisors and managers on leaves of absence, extended time-off requests, and concerns about meeting expectations.
Maintain clear communication with drivers, customers, and office staff, and keep company leadership informed of issues requiring attention.
Observe and encourage safety rules and regulations, including Hours of Service, safe workplace practices, and safe driving.
Maintain a positive, professional image and appearance in accordance with dress code policies; treat individuals with care, dignity, fairness, respect, and recognition.
Collaborate productively with supervisors and peers, encourage teamwork, and work to solve problems.
Provide excellent customer service and adhere to company policies and procedures.
Use office equipment and computers for the majority of tasks.
Manage multiple assignments and incoming requests while remaining focused, effective, efficient, and professional amid interruptions, changes, delays, and challenging situations.
Travel occasionally by air or car.