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Job Description
Job Id:
3102
# of Openings:
2
Transportation & Routing Specialist
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
Level: Salaried
Division: Supply Chain
The Transportation & Routing Specialist is responsible for execution and continuous optimization of inbound transportation routing across all U.S. Distribution Centers. This salaried role owns complex routing decisions, carrier performance analysis, and Transportation Management System (TMS) oversight to ensure cost-effective, reliable inbound freight movement.
Accountability & Responsibilities:
Inbound Routing & Optimization
- Execute and optimize inbound shipment routing across all transportation modes using the TMS or approved manual methods.
- Make routing decisions and schedule adjustments to prevent service disruptions.
- Support international inbound transportation flows to ensure timely delivery into U.S. Distribution Centers.
- Establish and maintain standardized routing practices that promote consistency and efficiency.
Vendor Enablement & Support
- Lead vendor onboarding related to routing processes and TMS usage.
- Provide guidance and training to vendors on routing expectations and shipment execution.
- Maintain vendor portal updates that impact routing or shipment setup.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for routing-related vendor questions and issue resolution.
Carrier Performance & Cost Control
- Maintain TL carrier rate structures and tariff accuracy within the TMS.
- Analyze carrier performance, capacity availability, service reliability, and freight costs.
- Support LTL quoting and billing accuracy for inbound shipments.
- Collaborate with outbound transportation teams to identify and support backhaul opportunities.
Systems Ownership & Process Execution
- Serve as the primary operational owner of inbound routing functionality within the TMS.
- Partner with 3rd-party system providers and internal teams to support enhancements, testing, and system updates.
- Ensure routing data integrity and system accuracy to support daily execution.
- Lead implementation of routing-related process or system changes.
Analytics & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and deliver regular reporting on inbound transportation costs, routing effectiveness, and carrier performance.
- Identify trends and improvement opportunities through data analysis and operational review.
- Drive process improvements that enhance service reliability and cost control.
- Communicate performance insights and recommendations to internal stakeholders.
What Success Looks Like
- Efficient Routing Execution: Inbound shipments are routed accurately, on time, and using the most appropriate mode.
- Cost Visibility & Control: Freight costs are monitored, analyzed, and optimized through informed routing decisions.
- Reliable Carrier Performance: Carriers meet service expectations and support inbound delivery requirements.
- System Accuracy: TMS data is current, reliable, and supports smooth inbound operations.
- Operational Leadership: The role is recognized as a go-to expert for complex routing and transportation issues.
- Ongoing Improvement: Routing processes continue to evolve through analysis and operational refinement.
Benefits available to you:
- Full insurance benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision
- Paid time off to foster work/life balance
- Profit sharing
- Bonus Pay opportunities
- Retirement funding opportunities
- Education reimbursement
- Health club reimbursement
- Career advancement opportunities
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and manage short- and long-term demand forecasts to optimize inventory levels across Retail Service Centers
- Lead Category S&OP (Sales & Operations Planning) reviews with Product Management to align forecasts with market trends and business expectations
- Present S&OP outcomes and insights to Merchandising leadership
- Monitor system alerts and make appropriate demand and supply planning adjustments
- Maintain and manage item master data within JDA / Blue Yonder Demand Planning (DFUs, Demand Units, etc.)
- Analyze and adjust item-level forecasts across multiple departments and categories
- Provide accurate, timely forecast order projections to Merchandise Managers and vendor partners
- Partner with Merchandise Managers on new item introductions, including forecast development and launch support
- Identify and recommend process improvements to enhance forecast accuracy and planning efficiency
Benefits available to you:
- Full insurance benefits package including Medical, Dental, & Vision
- Paid time off to foster work/life balance
- Profit sharing
- Bonus Pay opportunities
- Retirement funding opportunities
- Education reimbursement
- Health club reimbursement
- Career advancement opportunities
Please note that for this role, relocation assistance is not available. Candidates should be willing and able to work in Fort Wayne, IN without the need for relocation support. We encourage local candidates or those already planning to move to the area to apply.
About Do it Best:
Based in Fort Wayne, IN, Do it Best is the only US-based, member-owned comprehensive and fully integrated hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With annual sales of nearly $6 billion, Do it Best serves thousands of member-owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 other countries, and is now part of the Do it Best Group, the world’s largest independent home improvement co-op. For more information, visit doitbestonline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Culture:
Each team member is valued as an individual - with their intrinsic value at the forefront. We prioritize your career growth through one-on-one training, conferences, tuition assistance, mentoring and more. We encourage authentic relationships by hosting social events and fostering a culture where lasting friendships are made. In fact, the three most valued aspects of being a part of the Do it Best team are the culture, the compensation, and the level of fulfillment that each team member experiences from their role.
Our Philosophy: Serving others as we would like to be served
Our Mission: Making the best even better
Our Goal: Helping members grow and achieve their dreams
Based in Fort Wayne, IN, Do it Best is the only US-based, member-owned comprehensive and fully integrated hardware, lumber, and building materials buying cooperative in the home improvement industry. With annual sales of nearly $6 billion, Do it Best serves thousands of member-owned locations across the United States and in more than 60 other countries, and is now part of the Do it Best Group, the world’s largest independent home improvement co-op. For more information, visit doitbestonline.com and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Culture:
Each team member is valued as an individual - with their intrinsic value at the forefront. We prioritize your career growth through one-on-one training, conferences, tuition assistance, mentoring and more. We encourage authentic relationships by hosting social events and fostering a culture where lasting friendships are made. In fact, the three most valued aspects of being a part of the Do it Best team are the culture, the compensation, and the level of fulfillment that each team member experiences from their role.
Our Philosophy: Serving others as we would like to be served
Our Mission: Making the best even better
Our Goal: Helping members grow and achieve their dreams
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