Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Freight Analyst

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly analytical and proactive Freight Analyst to join our dynamic supply chain team. This pivotal role is responsible for optimizing our transportation network by analyzing freight data, managing carrier performance, and identifying significant cost-saving opportunities. The ideal candidate is a data-driven problem-solver with a passion for logistics and a knack for turning complex information into actionable strategies. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring our products move efficiently and cost-effectively from origin to destination, directly impacting our bottom line and customer satisfaction.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Logistics Coordinator
Supply Chain Intern / Co-op
Data Analyst (with logistics focus)

Advancement To:

Senior Freight Analyst or Logistics Analyst
Logistics Manager / Transportation Manager
Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

Supply Chain Analyst
Procurement Analyst / Sourcing Specialist
Operations Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Analyze and interpret complex freight data to identify trends, anomalies, and opportunities for cost reduction and service level improvements.
Develop, maintain, and distribute comprehensive reports and dashboards on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time performance, cost-per-mile, carrier capacity, and transit times.
Conduct regular, detailed freight audits to ensure accuracy of carrier invoicing, validate accessorial charges, and ensure compliance with negotiated contractual rates.
Manage and foster carrier relationships, participating in quarterly business reviews (QBRs), performance evaluations, and rate negotiations to drive continuous improvement.
Utilize the Transportation Management System (TMS) to its full potential for planning, executing, and tracking shipments, ensuring optimal routing and mode selection (LTL, FTL, Intermodal, Parcel).
Monitor and analyze transportation market trends, fuel surcharges, and regulatory changes to proactively adjust freight strategies and mitigate financial risks.
Collaborate closely with supply chain, warehouse operations, procurement, and customer service teams to align transportation activities with broader business objectives and inventory strategies.
Act as a primary point of contact for troubleshooting logistical issues, investigating shipment delays or damages, and implementing effective corrective action plans.
Perform complex "what-if" scenario modeling on large datasets to support strategic decision-making regarding network design, carrier allocation, and mode shifts.
Create and present clear, compelling findings from freight analysis to senior management, providing actionable recommendations for cost reduction and service enhancements.
Lead and support cross-functional projects aimed at optimizing the transportation network, including lane analysis, backhaul opportunities, and shipment consolidation programs.
Ensure full compliance with all domestic and international transportation regulations, including DOT, customs documentation, and trade compliance requirements.
Develop, manage, and report on the freight claims process, working diligently with carriers and insurance providers to resolve issues of lost or damaged goods.
Support the annual transportation budgeting and monthly forecasting processes by providing detailed historical cost analysis and data-driven projections.
Evaluate and recommend new technologies, systems, and tools to improve freight management processes, end-to-end visibility, and analytical capabilities.
Manage the carrier onboarding process, including contract setup, rate implementation, and system integration.
Develop and maintain routing guides to ensure operational compliance and achievement of cost and service goals.
Perform deep-dive analysis into accessorial charges to identify root causes and implement strategies for reduction.
Benchmark our freight rates and service levels against industry standards to ensure our network remains competitive.
Assist in the development and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all freight-related activities to ensure consistency and quality.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis from various business stakeholders.
Contribute to the organization's broader data governance strategy and roadmap, ensuring data integrity within logistics systems.
Collaborate with business units and IT to translate evolving business needs into functional requirements for TMS or other system enhancements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data and analytics teams to prioritize logistics-focused initiatives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced Microsoft Excel Proficiency: Expertise in PivotTables, VLOOKUPs, INDEX/MATCH, complex formulas, and Power Query for large-scale data manipulation and analysis.
Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Hands-on experience with at least one major TMS platform (e.g., Oracle OTM, Blue Yonder, MercuryGate, SAP TM).
Data Visualization: Proven ability to create insightful and user-friendly dashboards and reports using tools like Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, or Qlik Sense.
Database Querying: Proficiency in SQL for extracting, transforming, and analyzing data from relational databases.
Freight Industry Knowledge: Strong understanding of freight pricing structures, rate agreements, accessorial charges, and fuel surcharge programs across various modes (LTL, FTL, Parcel, Intermodal).
Logistics & Supply Chain Principles: Solid grasp of core supply chain concepts, including inventory management, network design, and warehousing.
Freight Audit & Payment: Experience with freight bill auditing processes and familiarity with third-party audit/payment providers.
ERP Systems: Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and how they integrate with logistics functions.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to dissect complex problems, interpret data critically, and develop logical, data-driven solutions.
Superior Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to convey complex analytical findings clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
High Attention to Detail: A meticulous and accurate approach to data analysis, reporting, and invoice auditing.
Time Management & Prioritization: Ability to work independently, manage multiple competing priorities, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Collaborative Mindset: A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills, capable of building effective relationships with internal teams and external carrier partners.
Negotiation & Influence: Confidence and skill in participating in discussions with carriers to review performance and discuss rates.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master's Degree in a relevant field or a professional certification such as CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or CLTD (Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics & Transportation
Business Administration / Management
Data Analytics / Data Science
Economics or Finance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5 years of direct experience in a transportation, logistics, or supply chain analyst role.

Preferred:

Proven track record of identifying and executing cost-saving initiatives within a high-volume shipping environment. Direct experience in carrier negotiations, TMS implementation/optimization, and network modeling is highly desirable.