Freight Operations Specialist

$65,000 - $75,000/Yr

Smart Source - St. Charles, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

St. Charles, IL

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

SmartSource Inc is seeking a full-time Domestic Air Freight/Expedited Ground Operations Specialist for a direct hire role located onsite in the St. Charles, IL area. This position is crucial for managing and executing all aspects of domestic air freight transportation. The successful candidate will be responsible for procuring cost-efficient transport solutions, preparing necessary documentation, coordinating pickups and deliveries, and maintaining strong relationships with airlines and drivers. This role requires a highly responsive and problem-solving individual who can operate effectively under pressure, maintain availability for urgent needs, and consistently deliver superior service to ensure customer satisfaction. The Domestic Air Freight/Expedited Ground Operations Specialist will engage in cost management by procuring transportation solutions that are both efficient and cost-effective. This includes negotiating contract and spot rates with airlines. The role also involves documentation and compliance, where the specialist will prepare and manage all necessary shipping and TSA/security documentation. Coordination is key, as the specialist will schedule and coordinate timely pickups and deliveries, ensuring seamless transitions and adherence to customer timelines and the highest service standards. Effective communication is essential in this role. The specialist will maintain clear and effective communication with customers, the sales team, and leadership, providing updates on load statuses, potential issues, and profitability. Load management will involve entering and updating all load information in Mcleod (TMS) and tracking shipments to ensure timely delivery and service excellence. The specialist will also be responsible for vetting and developing a quality expedited ground driver base while maintaining and strengthening relationships with airline partners and drivers. Problem-solving skills are critical, as the specialist will need to address and resolve shipping issues in real time, utilizing a comprehensive understanding of domestic transportation logistics. The role also includes routing and quoting, where the specialist will efficiently quote and route air freight across multiple transportation channels and services daily, including expedites, white glove, hotshots, asset/carrier recovery, trade shows, projects, and dedicated truckloads. Additionally, the specialist will manage the billing process for air freight services, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. The position requires 24/7 availability to handle urgent issues and customer needs.

Responsibilities

• Procure cost-efficient transportation solutions for air freight.
• Negotiate contract and spot rates with airlines.
• Prepare and manage all necessary shipping and TSA/security documentation.
• Schedule and coordinate timely pickups and deliveries, ensuring seamless transitions and adherence to customer timelines.
• Maintain clear and effective communication with customers, the sales team, and leadership, providing updates on load statuses, potential issues, and profitability.
• Enter and update all load information in Mcleod (TMS).
• Track and trace shipments to ensure timely delivery and service excellence.
• Vet and develop a quality expedited ground driver base.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with airline partners and drivers.
• Address and resolve shipping issues in real time, utilizing a comprehensive understanding of domestic transportation logistics.
• Efficiently quote and route air freight across multiple transportation channels and services daily.
• Manage the billing process for air freight services, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Provide around-the-clock availability to handle urgent issues and customer needs.

Requirements

• 2-5 years in air freight operations, logistics, or a related field, with a proven track record of managing domestic air freight.
• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Transportation, or a related field preferred.
• Strong negotiation skills with a core competency in domestic air freight logistics.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.
• Proficient in using TMS and other logistics software.
• Experience with Mcleod a plus.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interface professionally with all stakeholders.
• Superior ability to prioritize, multitask and creatively problem solve.
• Highly motivated and driven.
• Ability to work in a team environment while delivering independent results.
• Strong detail orientation.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of building strong customer relationships.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Mcleod (1 year preferred).

Benefits

• Full-time position with a competitive salary of $65,000 - $75,000 per year.