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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Transport Analyst

💰 $65,000 - $90,000

LogisticsSupply ChainData & AnalyticsTransportation

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly analytical and detail-oriented Transport Analyst to join our dynamic logistics team. In this pivotal role, you will be instrumental in dissecting complex transportation data to identify trends, uncover cost-saving opportunities, and improve the overall efficiency and performance of our freight network. You will act as the go-to expert for transportation analytics, supporting strategic decision-making by providing actionable insights through robust reporting and performance monitoring. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about using data to drive tangible business results.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator or Specialist
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Data Analyst (with interest in logistics)

Advancement To:

  • Senior Transport Analyst
  • Logistics Manager or Transportation Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Procurement Analyst
  • Operations Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Analyze and interpret large, complex transportation datasets to identify key trends, cost drivers, and areas for operational improvement across all modes of transport (FTL, LTL, Parcel, Ocean, Air).
  • Develop, maintain, and distribute a suite of comprehensive performance dashboards and reports tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, cost per unit, carrier performance, and transit times.
  • Conduct in-depth freight cost analysis, including variance analysis against budget and forecast, to identify and explain deviations and recommend corrective actions.
  • Lead root cause analysis for service failures, delivery exceptions, and cost overruns, collaborating with internal teams and external partners to implement lasting solutions.
  • Monitor, evaluate, and report on carrier performance using scorecards and regular business reviews, holding partners accountable to service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Identify and quantify cost-saving opportunities through network optimization, mode shifting, consolidation, and process improvements.
  • Support transportation procurement events by providing historical data, building pricing models, and analyzing carrier bids to ensure optimal selection.
  • Manage and audit freight payment data to ensure accuracy, resolve discrepancies with carriers, and validate accessorial charges.
  • Utilize the Transportation Management System (TMS) to its full potential, extracting data, configuring reports, and identifying opportunities for system enhancements.
  • Develop sophisticated analytical models to forecast transportation capacity needs, freight volume, and budgetary requirements based on historical trends and business projections.
  • Partner with cross-functional teams, including Warehouse Operations, Customer Service, and Procurement, to ensure seamless execution and alignment on transportation strategies.
  • Create and document Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for transportation analysis and reporting to ensure consistency and quality.
  • Act as a subject matter expert on transportation data, providing insights and ad-hoc analysis to support strategic business initiatives and executive inquiries.
  • Evaluate the impact of new business initiatives, network changes, or market shifts on transportation costs and service levels.
  • Track and analyze fuel surcharge programs and other market indices to understand their impact on overall freight spend and inform negotiation strategies.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer critical business questions from leadership.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap by identifying new data sources and analytical tools.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into technical requirements for IT and data engineering teams.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data and analytics team.
  • Assist in the training of team members and business stakeholders on transportation reports and analytical tools.
  • Investigate and benchmark industry best practices in transportation analytics and technology to drive continuous improvement.
  • Support the monthly and quarterly financial close process by providing accurate transportation cost accruals and variance explanations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Microsoft Excel Proficiency: Mastery of complex formulas, pivot tables, VLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, Power Query, and data modeling is essential.
  • SQL (Structured Query Language): Strong ability to write complex queries to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from relational databases.
  • Data Visualization Tools: Hands-on experience creating insightful dashboards and reports using tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Qlik Sense.
  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS): Practical experience and deep understanding of enterprise-level TMS platforms (e.g., Blue Yonder, Oracle Transportation Management, SAP TM).
  • Data Analysis & Statistics: Proven ability to perform statistical analysis, identify trends, and translate data into actionable business insights.
  • Financial Acumen: Solid understanding of cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and freight audit principles.
  • Supply Chain Knowledge: In-depth knowledge of transportation modes, carrier operations, freight classifications, and logistics terminology.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Critical Thinking: Exceptional ability to deconstruct complex problems, analyze data from multiple angles, and formulate logical, data-driven conclusions.
  • Problem-Solving: A proactive and resourceful approach to identifying issues, performing root cause analysis, and developing effective solutions.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present complex data clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in data validation, analysis, and reporting to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
  • Collaboration & Teamwork: Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and build strong professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s Degree or relevant professional certification (e.g., APICS CSCP)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration or Economics
  • Data Science or Analytics
  • Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

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

Preferred:

  • Experience in a high-volume manufacturing, retail, or e-commerce distribution environment.
  • Proven track record of identifying and delivering significant cost savings or service improvements through data analysis.
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