What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transportation Specialist position at SSi People?
Transportation Logistics Specialist
Engagement Type: Contract (3–6 months)
Location: Lincoln, NE
Work Schedule: Onsite | Monday–Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Overtime: Required during peak season
Role Overview
We are seeking a Transportation Logistics Specialist with strong brokerage and carrier-facing experience to support high-volume truck transportation operations. This is a fast-paced, operationally focused role requiring frequent communication with carriers, negotiation of freight rates, and close coordination with internal stakeholders.
The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a call-heavy environment, builds trust quickly, understands freight markets, and can make sound decisions in real time while managing competing priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Support enterprise transportation and carrier management strategies, including:
- Rate negotiations
- Carrier relationship and capacity management
- Shipment execution and spend optimization
- Negotiate freight rates and contract terms with third-party truck carriers to ensure competitive, market-aligned pricing
- Maximize value through load pairing (backhauls) and cross-product collaboration
- Serve as a subject matter expert on transportation markets, pricing trends, and carrier dynamics
- Analyze current transportation practices to identify process improvements and cost-saving opportunities
- Independently resolve operational issues under general supervision
- Act as a single point of contact when engaging with carriers to ensure consistency and clarity
- Partner with internal stakeholders to understand customer- and plant-specific shipping requirements
- Communicate market insights, pricing context, and transportation constraints clearly and effectively
- Monitor carrier performance and KPIs; take corrective action to maintain service levels and reliability
- Maintain accurate freight data across systems and tools, including:
- Transportation Management Systems (TMS)
- Rate tables, contracts, volume estimates, and carrier records
- Resolve freight invoice discrepancies to ensure accurate and timely payments
Required Qualifications
- Prior brokerage or transportation logistics experience
- Strong background in truckload transportation
- Experience working directly with customers and carriers in a high-volume, fast-paced environment
- Proven negotiation skills with carriers and logistics partners
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to build trust and credibility with both internal teams and external partners
- Operational mindset with strong attention to detail and execution
- Comfortable working independently and making informed decisions
- Proficient in transportation systems, spreadsheets, and operational tools
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Background in freight brokerage, transportation operations, or logistics coordination
- Comfortable making frequent outbound and inbound calls
- Results-driven, proactive, and solutions-oriented
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability
- Adaptable and open to extended hours during peak demand periods
Interview Process
- Two interview rounds
- Round 1: Interview with the hiring manager
- Round 2: Panel interview with 2–3 team members