Position Overview: The Planner coordinates the planning and execution of day-to-day transportation operations within North America Logistics. Responsible for maintaining a high-quality transportation service level. This includes achieving Chiquita carrier allocation guidelines, timely tendering to carriers to commit equipment and schedule appointments, and communicate effectively with internal & external customers for the Banana, Pineapple and Great White Fleet organizations.
Detailed Duties and Responsibilities:
Shipment Planning – Plan, tender and route daily shipments within the transportation management system (TMS) to ensure that cost and service parameters are effectively achieved. Tender shipments in accordance with approved routing guides provided by Chiquita Carrier Relations Management. Communicate with Chiquita carriers to ensure that loads are managed properly and capacity commitments are met.
Shipment Coordination - Provide execution support as required to achieve or exceed Chiquita on time delivery and Quality/Cold Chain performance goals. Ensure customer requirements regarding equipment, pick-up time, delivery dates are met or can offer suitable alternatives. Pro-actively work with the sales group on potential issues.
Coordinate changes to planned shipments. These changes include order changes, inquiries, rush orders, discrepancies in confirmed delivery date/time.
Carrier Relationship Management - maintain positive and productive relationship with all carriers to ensure appropriate service level. Act as first/second level escalation for delivery inquiries.
Demonstrate proficiency in working within portions of the transportation management system that involve rate maintenance, optimization, routing guides, facility/carrier profiles and settlement.
Ensure accuracy of carrier performance data; establish a format to review on time performance with Transportation Manager and carrier operations personnel.
Analyze Transportation metrics, and identifies strategies to improve performance.
Identify and communicate current or future transportation issues, as well as recovery plans.
Review Transportation processes for continuous improvement.
Develop transportation plans to support events including holidays, short term open/close schedules and seasonality.
After hours on-call every 5-6 weeks on weekdays and on weekends.
Other duties or projects as required.
Minimum qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred.
1 year experience in planning, transportation, supply chain, or logistics preferred.
Knowledge of Transportation Management Systems (LeanLogistics Preferred)
Understanding of FTL (full truck load) and LTL (less-than-truckload) transportation
Solid customer service focus
High degree of interpersonal skills
Candidate should possess problem solving skills and ability to communicate solutions
Attention to detail & accuracy
High degree of stress tolerance
Strong communication and team skills.
Ability to multi-task and be detail oriented with proven accuracy
Excellent writing skills.
Proficiency with MS Office
Job environment: General office environment. Standard office equipment available.