Transportation Manager in South Windsor, Connecticut at HPC Foodservice

Transportation Manager

Position Summary

This role is responsible for leading a team, coordinating daily routing and delivery activities, improving operational processes, monitoring performance metrics, and ensuring a high level of service, accuracy, and efficiency.

The ideal candidate will be a strong people leader with hands-on logistics experience, sound business judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment. This position requires someone who can balance day-to-day execution with long-term process improvement, staff development, financial responsibility, and cross-departmental collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

Transportation and Logistics Operations

Oversee daily logistics, routing, dispatch, scheduling, and transportation-related activities.Ensure daily operational needs are met through effective planning, prioritization, and communication.Monitor transportation patterns, workload demands, staffing needs, and service expectations.Identify opportunities to improve routing efficiency, reduce delays, improve service levels, and support operational cost control.Work closely with internal departments to resolve delivery, scheduling, staffing, service, and operational issues.Ensure appropriate procedures are followed for transportation activity tracking, service documentation, and issue resolution.Support route optimization, consolidation opportunities, and other logistics improvement initiatives.

Leadership and Staff Management

Manage, coach, and develop transportation and logistics team members.Foster a professional, accountable, and team-oriented work environment.Provide clear direction, expectations, training, and regular performance feedback.Complete performance reviews and support employee development plans.Assist with hiring, onboarding, staffing levels, training, corrective action, and performance management.Serve as a mentor and role model for department personnel.Promote accountability, safety, professionalism, and continuous improvement throughout the department.Lead team meetings and communicate company expectations, priorities, updates, and department goals.

Process Improvement and Performance Management

Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures to support consistent, high-quality logistics operations.Evaluate current processes and recommend improvements to increase efficiency, service, communication, and accountability.Use performance metrics, operational data, and trend analysis to identify areas for improvement.Support continuous improvement efforts across transportation, logistics, customer service, and internal communication.Prepare reports, updates, and recommendations for senior leadership as requested.Monitor department effectiveness and ensure operational expectations are consistently met.Help establish, measure, and maintain department goals, service standards, and key performance indicators.

Financial and Business Responsibilities

Support department budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and financial performance goals.Monitor expenses and identify opportunities to improve productivity and reduce unnecessary costs.Assist with planning and evaluating logistics strategies that align with overall business objectives.Provide leadership with accurate, timely information regarding operational performance, challenges, and opportunities.Support business reviews, operational presentations, and leadership discussions as needed.

Cross-Functional Communication

Partner with internal departments to ensure logistics operations support overall business needs.Communicate professionally and effectively with leadership, employees, vendors, customers, and other key stakeholders.Take ownership of issue resolution by gathering information, identifying root causes, and implementing practical solutions.Resolve conflicts professionally through communication, collaboration, and consensus-building.Maintain a strong focus on service, responsiveness, and operational follow-through.

Compliance, Safety, and Professional Standards

Ensure department activities are performed in accordance with company policies, procedures, and applicable transportation-related requirements.Promote a safe, professional, and compliant work environment.Maintain confidentiality and professionalism when handling employee, customer, vendor, and company information.Support a culture of accountability, respect, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience may be considered.Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or management experience in logistics, transportation, distribution, operations, or a related environment.Strong leadership skills with experience managing both exempt and non-exempt employees.Experience working with diverse teams, including union and non-union employees, preferred.Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.Ability to evaluate operational data, identify trends, and recommend practical solutions.Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.Strong customer service mindset and ability to support both internal and external service expectations.Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and related business systems.Ability to learn and adapt to transportation, routing, dispatch, reporting, and business software platforms.Experience developing or improving operating procedures, performance standards, and department processes.Ability to prepare reports, communicate findings, and present operational information to leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

5 to 7 years of experience in transportation, logistics, distribution, supply chain, or operations management.3 to 5 years of demonstrated leadership, project management, or process improvement experience.Master’s degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain, Transportation, or a related field.Experience with routing, dispatch, fleet coordination, transportation management systems, or logistics software.Experience managing department budgets, performance metrics, staffing plans, and operational goals.Strong background in employee coaching, performance management, and team development.

Core Competencies

Leadership and accountabilityOperational planning and executionCommunication and relationship-buildingProblem-solving and sound judgmentProcess improvementEmployee developmentCustomer service focusData analysis and reportingConflict resolutionTime management and prioritizationProfessionalism and confidentiality

Work Environment

This role operates in a professional office and operations-based environment. The position may require regular interaction with transportation, logistics, warehouse, operations, customer service, and leadership teams. The successful candidate must be comfortable working in a fast-paced setting where priorities can shift quickly and timely decision-making is essential.

Employment Type

Full-time, exempt position.

Compensation

Compensation will be based on experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the role.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.