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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Transportation Logistics Coordinator

💰 $ - $

LogisticsTransportationSupply ChainOperationsCoordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Transportation Logistics Coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing domestic and international shipments to ensure on-time, cost-effective delivery while maintaining compliance with carrier, customs, and regulatory requirements. This role manages carrier relationships, optimizes routing and load consolidation, tracks shipments end-to-end, resolves exceptions, and provides proactive communication to internal stakeholders and customers. The ideal candidate combines strong operational execution with analytical skills, working knowledge of transportation management systems (TMS), and experience negotiating with carriers for best-in-class service and rates.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Shipping/Receiving Associate
  • Customer Service Representative (Logistics)
  • Transportation Planner / Dispatcher

Advancement To:

  • Senior Transportation Coordinator
  • Logistics Supervisor / Operations Supervisor
  • Transportation Manager / Network Planner

Lateral Moves:

  • Procurement / Carrier Procurement Analyst
  • Warehouse/Distribution Supervisor
  • Import/Export Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Coordinate day-to-day transportation operations for inbound and outbound freight, including scheduling shipments, booking carriers (FTL/LTL/parcel/air/sea), and confirming pickup/drop-off windows to meet customer delivery requirements.
  • Manage carrier selection and performance: solicit competitive rates, negotiate contracts and service terms, evaluate carrier KPIs (on-time delivery, claims, detention) and maintain an approved carrier roster.
  • Execute shipment tendering and confirmations using the Transportation Management System (TMS) and Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) integrations; ensure accurate routing, routing guides, and carrier assignments.
  • Monitor shipments end-to-end with proactive tracking and real-time visibility; identify and resolve exceptions such as delays, reconsignments, or missed pickups before they impact customers.
  • Prepare and review all transportation documentation including bills of lading (BOL), commercial invoices, packing lists, proof of delivery (POD), freight manifests, and customs paperwork for international shipments.
  • Create and optimize load plans and route consolidations to maximize equipment utilization, minimize empty miles, and reduce overall transportation costs.
  • Coordinate cross-functional handoffs with warehouse, inventory control, customer service, and sales teams to ensure accurate shipment pick/pack timing and documentation.
  • Manage freight billing and cost allocation: validate carrier invoices against shipment records, dispute incorrect bills, and collaborate with accounts payable for timely settlement.
  • Handle claims management for lost, damaged, or short shipments: gather evidence, file claims with carriers, follow-up to resolution, and update stakeholders on claim status.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (DOT, FMCSA, IATA, IMDG, customs regulations) and internal policies for hazardous materials, weight/size restrictions, and driver/vehicle compliance.
  • Maintain and update shipment schedules, transportation rate sheets, carrier contact lists, and routing guides to reflect current rates and network changes.
  • Use data analysis and reporting to monitor transportation KPIs (OTD, cost per shipment, detention charges, claims ratio) and present actionable insights to operations leadership.
  • Identify process improvements and lead or support continuous improvement initiatives to streamline transportation workflows, reduce lead times, and lower freight spend.
  • Manage customer notifications and escalation processes: provide status updates, proactively communicate delays, and coordinate recovery plans to meet customer service commitments.
  • Support international logistics activities including booking ocean/air freight, coordinating with freight forwarders and customs brokers, and ensuring proper INCOTERMS application.
  • Coordinate intermodal movements and drayage operations in partnership with third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and terminal operators.
  • Maintain accurate shipment records and audit trails in the TMS and ERP systems to ensure traceability and support financial reconciliation.
  • Oversee carrier onboarding and performance reviews, including verifying insurance, safety ratings, and service level agreements (SLAs).
  • Conduct daily operational huddles or transportation stand-ups to align resources, review critical shipments, and assign remediation tasks.
  • Plan for seasonal volume fluctuations or capacity shortages by securing capacity commitments and developing contingency plans with backup carriers.
  • Support sustainability initiatives by analyzing opportunities to reduce transportation carbon footprint through route planning, mode selection, and consolidation strategies.
  • Train and mentor junior transportation staff or temporary resources during peak periods to ensure operational continuity and best practices adherence.

Secondary Functions

  • Build and maintain templates, checklists, and SOPs for standard transportation activities and exception handling to support consistent, auditable operations.
  • Assist procurement and legal teams with carrier contract renewals, rate benchmarking, and RFP coordination for freight procurement events.
  • Support system testing and rollout of TMS enhancements, EDI updates, and integrations with warehouse management systems (WMS) and ERP platforms.
  • Provide ad-hoc reporting and analysis to cross-functional stakeholders to support budgeting, forecasting, and freight spend optimization initiatives.
  • Work with customs brokers, compliance teams, and import/export stakeholders to resolve documentation issues and minimize clearance delays.
  • Participate in root cause analysis and post-mortem reviews for major transportation incidents and implement corrective action plans.
  • Support customer onboarding activities related to delivery preferences, routing rules, and billing requirements.
  • Act as backup dispatcher or 24/7 on-call contact during escalations, peak shipping windows, and holiday rotations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Transportation Management System (TMS) proficiency (e.g., Oracle Transportation Management, MercuryGate, BluJay, Manhattan) — booking, routing, and tracking.
  • Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, vlookups/xlookups, data cleaning, and basic macros) for shipment analysis and reporting.
  • Familiarity with Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) transactions (204/210/214/990) and integrations between TMS/WMS/ERP.
  • Knowledge of carrier rate structures, LTL class/weight rating, FTL pricing, accessorials, and freight audit practices.
  • Experience with freight billing reconciliation, carrier invoice audit, and accounts payable collaboration.
  • Basic understanding of customs import/export documentation, INCOTERMS, and coordination with customs brokers.
  • Proficiency with shipment tracking tools, GPS visibility platforms, and route optimization software.
  • Working knowledge of regulatory compliance: DOT, FMCSA, IATA (air), IMDG (sea), hazardous materials handling requirements and driver qualifications.
  • Ability to generate operational and KPI dashboards using business intelligence tools (Power BI, Tableau) or advanced Excel.
  • Familiarity with warehouse operations, cross-docking, and inventory flow to coordinate pick-up/delivery windows.
  • Experience with claims filing, evidence collection, and carrier follow-up for damage/loss incidents.
  • Basic SQL or data query skills (preferred) to extract shipment and cost data from enterprise systems for analysis.

Soft Skills

  • Strong communication skills (written and verbal) — concise status reporting and professional carrier/customer interactions.
  • Excellent organization and time management — prioritize multiple shipments and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Problem-solving and critical thinking — rapid root cause identification and creative mitigation of transportation disruptions.
  • Negotiation and influencing — secure favorable carrier rates and service commitments.
  • Attention to detail and accuracy — correct documentation, invoicing, and regulatory compliance.
  • Customer-service orientation — manage expectations, provide proactive updates, and resolve escalations with empathy.
  • Team collaboration — work effectively with operations, sales, procurement, and finance teams.
  • Adaptability and stress tolerance — manage peak volumes and unexpected events with composure.
  • Analytical mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and data-driven decision making.
  • Conflict resolution and escalation management — handle late/damaged shipments and contractual disputes professionally.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (required).

Preferred Education:

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

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management
  • International Business / Trade Compliance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of progressive experience in transportation coordination, freight operations, or logistics support.

Preferred: 3–5+ years coordinating domestic and international freight with hands-on experience using a TMS, negotiating with carriers, managing claims, and demonstrating improvements to freight cost or service metrics. Experience with LTL and FTL operations, intermodal shipments, and cross-border customs coordination is highly desirable.

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