Transportation Specialist Lead

Customs Goods LLC•Oakland, CA

9d•$25 - $25

About The Position

The Transportation Specialist Lead guides the day-to-day activities of the transportation team in a fast-paced third-party logistics (3PL) environment while also planning and coordinating freight movements directly. The role serves as the primary escalation point for shipment issues, mentors Transportation Specialists and Coordinators, and helps ensure on-time pickup and delivery in line with customer requirements and service level agreements. The position works closely with the Transportation Manager, dispatch, operations, and customer service teams to optimize routing, control costs, and maintain compliance with DOT and company safety standards. The role also supports process improvements and special projects related to network optimization, mode conversion, or new customer implementations. The Transportation Specialist Lead may serve as backup for the Transportation Manager and respond to after-hours or urgent transportation issues as needed to maintain uninterrupted service.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
3–5 years of experience in transportation, dispatch, freight brokerage, or logistics coordination.
Direct experience handling export transload accounts is required.
Strong understanding of transportation management systems (TMS), load boards, and routing and scheduling practices.
Working knowledge of DOT regulations, hours-of-service rules, and carrier compliance requirements.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and transportation or logistics software.
Strong leadership, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple shipments, priorities, and team members in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings or weekends, to support transportation needs.

Nice To Haves

Associate's or bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation, or a related field.
1+ years of experience informally leading, training, or mentoring team members.
Experience in a 3PL, trucking, or freight brokerage environment.
Experience working directly with carriers, owner-operators, or drivers.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate daily transportation and dispatch team activities, distribute workload, and serve as the first escalation point for shipment issues.
Plan, schedule, and oversee daily freight movements across the team to support on-time pickup and delivery.
Train, mentor, and support Transportation Specialists and Coordinators on processes, systems, and best practices.
Communicate with carriers, drivers, and internal teams to track shipment status and proactively resolve delays.
Source and negotiate rates and secure carrier capacity to meet customer service levels and cost targets.
Monitor load boards, tender freight, and confirm carrier compliance with insurance, authority, and safety requirements.
Review team work for accuracy and maintain shipment, rate, and carrier-performance records in the transportation management system (TMS).
Ensure team-wide compliance with DOT regulations, hours-of-service rules, and company safety policies.
Troubleshoot service failures, delivery exceptions, and customer complaints, escalating to the Transportation Manager as needed.
Collaborate with warehouse, brokerage, and customer service teams to support seamless order fulfillment and on-time delivery.
Track and report performance metrics, including on-time delivery, cost per mile, and carrier scorecards, and share results with the team.
Serve as backup for the Transportation Manager and respond to after-hours or urgent transportation issues as needed.
Identify and lead process-improvement initiatives to increase efficiency and reduce transportation costs.
Support special projects involving network optimization, mode conversion, or new customer implementations.