Carrier Relations Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain productive relationships with contracted transportation providers.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for carrier inquiries, escalations, and performance discussions.

• Monitor carrier service metrics including on-time delivery (OTD), tender acceptance and communication effectiveness by conducting weekly calls with an assigned book of carriers

• Conduct quarterly carrier business reviews and communicate performance expectations.

• Conduct carrier sourcing, onboarding, qualification, and network expansion initiatives.

• Collaborate with various Ashley teams involved in transportation network to learn carrier capacity needs and use that knowledge to source carrier solutions

• Ensure carriers remain compliant with company, customer, regulatory, insurance, and safety requirements

• Collaborate with transportation operations teams to address service failures, capacity constraints, and network disruptions.

• Analyze carrier scorecards, trends, and operational data to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Coordinate corrective action plans for carriers that fail to meet established performance standards.

• Partner with procurement, transportation, customer service, and distribution center teams to ensure seamless execution of freight movement.

• Monitor market conditions, carrier capacity trends, and industry developments that may impact transportation operations.

• Support strategic initiatives focused on service optimization, cost reduction, and carrier network sustainability.

• Provide assistance and collaboration on additional projects as directed

Required Qualifications

• 2-5 years of experience in transportation, logistics, carrier management, freight brokerage, or supply chain operations.

• Strong understanding of transportation operations including truckload, LTL, intermodal, and distribution networks.

• Experience working with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and logistics reporting tools.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and data analysis tools.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret performance metrics and recommend solutions.

• Ability to respond effectively to transportation disruptions and time-sensitive operational issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing carrier performance metrics.

• Knowledge of DOT regulations, FMCSA compliance requirements, and transportation safety standards.

• Experience supporting carrier procurement or sourcing activities.

• Familiarity with freight audit and payment processes.

• APICS, CSCMP, or other supply chain certifications preferred.

Core Competencies

• Relationship Management

• Problem Solving

• Data Analysis

• Communication and Influence

• Customer Focus

• Negotiation

• Decision Making

• Continuous Improvement

• Attention to Detail

• Strategic Thinking

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• On-Time Delivery Performance

• Tender Acceptance Rate

• Carrier Compliance Rate

• Capacity Coverage

• Carrier Retention

• Carrier Scorecard Improvement

• Escalation Resolution Time

• Network Service Reliability

This position plays a critical role in ensuring a reliable, compliant, and cost-effective transportation network that supports the company's distribution objectives and customer service commitments.