The Transportation Manager is responsible for leading day-to-day delivery operations while building a high-performing, safety-first culture across a team of approximately 24 drivers and transportation associates. This role combines hands-on field leadership with operational oversight, requiring strong expertise in logistics, supply chain operations, and DOT regulatory compliance. The ideal candidate is a proven people leader who excels in coaching, cross-functional collaboration, and driving performance, with the ability to balance service, safety, and cost. Success in this role is defined by strong team engagement, consistent execution of operational goals, and meaningful contributions to a high-performing transportation leadership team.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities- Lead transportation operations to ensure safe, timely, and accurate delivery to customers and distribution centers
- Build and maintain a safety-first culture; champion all safety policies, procedures, and training
- Coach, train, and develop drivers and transportation associates through ongoing feedback and performance management
- Oversee daily outbound routing, troubleshoot delivery issues, and implement cost-effective solutions
- Monitor and drive key performance metrics including service, safety, productivity, and cost
- Ensure full compliance with DOT regulations and company policies
- Conduct safety meetings, accident investigations, and maintain required compliance documentation
- Collaborate cross-functionally with warehouse, routing, and sales teams to optimize operations
- Lead hiring, onboarding, and disciplinary processes in partnership with senior leadership
- Identify process improvement opportunities to increase efficiency and reduce waste
- Manage end-of-day "closing duties," including oversight of returning routes
- Complete administrative reporting, scheduling, and workforce planning
Supervision- Directly supervises a team of approximately 24 transportation associates, including drivers
- Team may include union and/or non-union employees
Relationships- Internal: Transportation leadership, drivers, warehouse leaders, routing teams, and cross-functional partners (e.g., Sales)
- External: Customers, vendors, and regulatory agencies as applicable
Work Environment- Combination of field and office environment
- Field-based role: 4 days per week working alongside drivers and associates (no regular overnight travel)
- Office-based work: 1 day per week for administrative responsibilities
- Frequent time spent in trucks with drivers, exposed to noise and vibration
- Standard office work involving computer use
- Schedule:Typically 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (may extend based on operational needs and closing duties)
- Occasional weekend work required
- Holidays: Thanksgiving and Christmas off; other holidays required
Minimum Qualifications - 3-5 years of experience in transportation, logistics, or supply chain operations
- Prior leadership or management experience overseeing hourly employees
- Strong working knowledge of DOT regulations and compliance requirements
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Strong understanding of transportation and supply chain operations
- Knowledge of DOT, OSHA, and related regulatory requirements
- Proven leadership and team development capabilities
- Ability to coach, motivate, and engage frontline associates
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills
- Ability to interpret operational and financial data
- Cross-functional operational experience (warehouse, dispatch, routing) preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel
- Strong organizational and time management skills
Travel- Approximately 10% travel required for meetings, training, and business needs
Education and Training- High school diploma or GED required
- Bachelor's degree preferred
- CDL (Commercial Driver's License) preferred
Physical Qualifications- Ability to perform physical activities on an occasional basis, including standing, walking, bending, and climbing in and out of trucks
- Ability to sit and drive for extended periods
- Occasionally lift and carry up to 50 lbs
- Ability to push/pull equipment such as hand trucks or dollies
- Manual dexterity required for computer use, documentation, and operational tasks
The following information is provided in accordance with certain state and local laws. Compensation depends on experience, geographic locations, and other factors permitted by law. The expected compensation for this role is between $80,000 and $85,000. This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus up to 10% of base salary.
Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.
Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between
$60,000 - $95,000
