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KeHE Distributors

Distributes natural, organic, specialty groceries nationwide

Logistics Load Planner

Logistics & TransportationPosted on Nov 13
Full-timeNaperville, IL, USAIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

  • A high school diploma or GED is required.
  • A bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Logistics, or Supply Chain is preferred.
  • At least 2 years of experience in supply chain, logistics, purchasing, or the transportation industry is required.
  • Prior experience in a fast-paced foodservice purchasing or logistics environment is highly preferred.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook; Access; and a transportation management system (TMS).
  • Ability to use Excel pivot tables and Zoom meetings, and knowledge of bills of lading (BOLs) and proof of delivery (PODs) for confirming delivery.
  • Ability to interpret data into meaningful solutions.
  • Strong analytical and project management skills, problem-solving ability, time management, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks or projects simultaneously.
  • Strong process improvement skills and knowledge of transportation and market trends.
  • Effective verbal and written communication across cross-functional teams.
  • Strong interpersonal, organizational, and customer-focused skills.

Responsibilities

  • Plan inbound loads by consolidating purchase orders, routing loads, and selecting carriers, modes, and transportation strategies that meet service and freight-income expectations.
  • Manage daily load activity, track and trace shipments, communicate changes or issues, maintain end-to-end load visibility, and assist with issue resolution.
  • Maintain inventory levels and tracking for consolidation cross-dock facilities, and prepare weekly and monthly reports.
  • Assist carriers and fleet partners with loading and pickup appointment issues, communicating with the appropriate parties.
  • Participate in account- and customer-related programs and special projects to drive efficiency and continuous improvement.
  • Identify optimal freight solutions and drive transportation metrics, including payload utilization, late purchase-order impact, cost per pound, on-time performance, and savings initiatives.
  • Plan transportation from suppliers to the end distribution center using cost-effective methods to achieve period, quarterly, and annual transportation goals.
  • Generate daily, weekly, and period reports from the TMS, ERP, Power BI, and other company systems to support revenue, cost, savings, and continuous-improvement activities.
  • Consult with project team members and customer stakeholders to identify, define, and document business needs, objectives, reporting capabilities, and challenges.
  • Manage and report relevant key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Find timely, efficient, and cost-effective ways to transport products.
  • Analyze the cost efficiency of existing lanes, routing guides, and load configurations, and implement efficiencies where appropriate.
  • Research procurement and shipping options, analyze financial data, create estimates, identify problem areas and budget deviations, and oversee projects.
  • Create and maintain standard operating procedure (SOP) documentation.
  • Maintain data used to drive optimization through the transportation solution system.
  • Collaborate with carrier management, supply chain, sales, and other departments to improve load profitability, reduce negative freight income, create optimal cost and service offerings, and identify improvement opportunities.
  • Identify and implement process improvements with internal and external customers.
  • Build relationships with carriers, assess their service capabilities, improve tender acceptance and on-time pickup and delivery, and monitor their performance through phone, email, or in-person interactions.
  • Partner with third-party carriers and company fleets to reduce waste and achieve appropriate service levels.
  • Assess service issues, conduct root-cause analysis, and resolve chronic internal or external problems.
  • Resolve situations promptly, communicate problem status, work with subject-matter experts until issues are fixed, and escalate issues to management when needed.
  • Follow established company policies and procedures.
  • Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Desired Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Logistics, or Supply Chain.
  • Prior experience in a fast-paced foodservice purchasing or logistics environment.

About the Company

KeHE Distributors

Distributes natural, organic, specialty groceries nationwide

KeHE Distributors moves groceries from producers to retailers across North America by running a network of distribution centers that stock and ship natural, organic, specialty, and fresh products. Its main product is distribution services: sourcing products from suppliers and delivering them to retailers through a large, regional logistics system. The company differentiates itself by being a pure-play grocery and natural products distributor with a large workforce of employee-owners (about 8,000) and a 19-center network, enabling a focused, scalable supply chain for natural and specialty foods. KeHE’s goal is to help retailers offer a broad selection of good-for-you foods and, in turn, serve and feed America through reliable, efficient distribution.

Company size
1,001-5,000
Company stage
Not listed
Total funding
Not listed
Headquarters
Naperville, IL
Founded
1953

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