Senior Manager of Carrier Relations

About HTL

Keep freight moving. Keep customers confident.

HTL is a growing transportation and logistics company built around responsive service, strong relationships, and reliable execution. Over the past five years, we’ve expanded significantly while staying focused on what matters most: moving freight efficiently, solving problems quickly, and delivering for our customers. As we continue to grow, we’re building a team of people who take ownership, solve problems, and get things done.

Role Overview

HTL is looking for a Sr. Manager of Carrier Relations to join our growing team. The Sr. Manager of Carrier Relations leads HTL's nationwide LTL operations and owns the carrier freight bill audit and discrepancy resolution process and the team that supports it. This role requires a relationship-driven leader with deep carrier-market knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and a disciplined approach to risk, with the ability to secure reliable, competitively priced capacity while protecting HTL and its customers.

This position will be based out of our office in Charlotte, North Carolina, reporting to the Chief Operating Officer. Role will require travel, up to 15% of time.

Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States.

Key Responsibilities (Including, but not limited to)

• Develop and execute HTL's carrier strategy across LTL and TL (Dry Van, Refrigerated, Intermodal, and Flatbed), building a diversified, reliable, and cost-effective network that supports business growth, customer retention, and service excellence.

• Oversee nationwide LTL operations, including service execution, carrier performance, escalated issue resolution, tariff optimization, and profitability, while maintaining strong relationships with regional and national carriers.

• Lead end-to-end RFP processes and carrier procurement events across all transportation modes, including bid preparation, carrier solicitation, rate analysis, contract negotiation, and award implementation.

• Build and maintain strategic carrier partnerships, negotiate contracts and rate agreements, and establish performance scorecards to evaluate service quality, cost competitiveness, tender acceptance, and billing accuracy.

• Identify, qualify, and onboard carrier partners to support existing business, new customer implementations, and specialized freight needs. Develop primary and backup capacity strategies, monitor market trends, and identify opportunities to optimize transportation modes, costs, and service.

• Lead daily TL sourcing and load coverage, overseeing carrier outreach, capacity matching, spot and contract rate negotiations, and routing guide execution.

• Oversee carrier qualification, onboarding, and ongoing compliance monitoring, including operating authority, safety ratings, insurance, contractual requirements, and mode-specific regulations.

• Lead the carrier freight bill audit and discrepancy resolution function, ensuring accurate invoice matching, timely resolution of billing disputes, and effective recovery of overcharges.

• Own financial performance within the assigned areas, driving margin protection, cost savings, productivity improvements, and consistent operational execution.

• Leverage HTL's technology platforms, including TAI and Corsair, to improve operational visibility, automate workflows, and support data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

• Progressive experience in carrier relations, carrier procurement, or capacity sourcing within a freight brokerage, 3PL, or shipper transportation environment.

• Experience across both LTL and TL, with working knowledge of Dry Van, Refrigerated, Intermodal, and Flatbed operations.

• Track record of leading RFPs and carrier procurement events, negotiating carrier contracts, and managing large-scale LTL programs.

• Experience leading a truckload sourcing or carrier sales team, including spot and contract capacity procurement.

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present confidently to customers, carriers, and executives.

• Strong computer skills in the MS Office Suite, with the ability to learn and work effectively in TAI and CORSAIR.

• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple teams and manage competing priorities, including multiple concurrent RFPs, in a fast-paced environment.

• Sound judgment and the ability to act with integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

Preferred:

• Hands-on experience with carrier compliance and onboarding, including FMCSA authority, insurance and safety verification, and carrier-monitoring and fraud-prevention tools.

• Experience leading carrier or customer business reviews and representing an organization at industry or company-sponsored events.

• Working proficiency with TAI, CORSAIR, or comparable TMS platforms, and with market rate benchmarking tools.

Disclosures

Application Timeline
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: December 4th 2026. Submission does not guarantee selection, and HTL reserves the right to modify or cancel the hiring process at any time.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We’ll retain all applications for future consideration.

Security Notice

HTL will only contact candidates through official company email addresses or authorized members of our hiring team. We will never request payment or financial information during the recruiting process.

Benefits Overview

At HTL, we invest in our team’s health, well-being, and growth - offering competitive pay and a flexible benefits package that supports employees and their families at every stage.

Equal Opportunity & Fair Chance Hiring

HTL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered in accordance with applicable laws, including the California Fair Chance Act.

ADA Accommodation Statement
If you require a reasonable accommodation during the selection process, please indicate this in your application.

#HTL