What are the responsibilities and job description for the Load Planner position at Forward?
Position: Load Planner
Job Description:
As the load planner, you will take responsibility for the planning and forecasting functions for selected markets. Provide creative solutions to exceed customer expectations. Assign loads based on customer requirements, driver availability and maximum profitability for assigned market.
Core Duties & Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the coordination, scheduling, dispatching and planning of customer freight shipments
- Review markers, check over/under capacity, check freight needs with internal and external customers
- Determine balance, capacity and demand of loads and trucks, assign trucks
- Continually increase understanding of assigned market
- Develop a strong relationship with Independent Contractors within assigned fleet
- Offer exceptional support to drivers to ensure that their professional needs are being met
- Monitor shipments throughout transit in order to effectively meet delivery schedules
- Respond to customers efficiently, thoroughly, and professionally
- Manage customer and driver expectations to align with operational capabilities
- Monitor performance and available hours of Fleet Drivers
- Work cooperatively with customer service/sales to provide solutions for customers’ needs and resolve issues
- Other duties as assigned
Requirements:
- Self-motivated problem-solver with strong desire to meet customer needs
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Desire for a long-term career with an industry leading company
- Ability to present and maintain a positive corporate image in a fast paced environment
- Proactively establish and maintain effective working team relationships with all support departments
- Must be proficient with Microsoft Office products including; Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.
- Must be willing to work a flexible schedule
Skills:
- Ideal candidate will possess a “can do" attitude with a “will do" work ethic
- Must have the ability to work in a fast paced environment
- Experience with AS400 operating systems is a plus
- Transportation industry knowledge and experience
- Prior dispatch/load planning experience
Forward Air is an Equal Opportunity employer.
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