Sr. Transportation & Hauler Relations Specialist

Sr. Transportation & Hauler Relations Specialist #35186 Location: Corona, CA Company: Dairy Farmers of America Category: Supply Chain and Logistics Job Description Provide farmer-owners a safe, reliable system to transport farm milk to markets in a cost-effective manner, recognizing the importance of a viable hauler base and superior customer service. Skillfully manage a network of third-party haulers. Oversee all aspects of hauler safety and compliance. Work independently and demonstrate full understanding of hauler relations activities and impact to other functional areas; handle and resolve issues or situations of a diverse, difficult and/or complex nature relying on experience, the analysis of multiple sources of information, best practices, and sound judgment. Act as a resource for colleagues in other functional areas. Location: this position has flexibility to be based at the DFA office in Corona, CA or Salida, CA. Job Duties and Responsibilities: * Develop and maintain solid relationships with contract milk haulers; negotiate rates, evaluate haulers, liaise between haulers, customers, sales and marketing, dispatch and membership * Establish and maintain strong organizational structure for contract, negotiation and performance tracking. * Serve as the primary contact for haulers in the assigned geographic area. * Investigate issues that arise due to hauler's attention to weight variances, paperwork, processes or SOP's in assigned area; develop improvement plans with haulers that need assistance * Provide financial analysis andhauling and mapping analysisfor decision making, strategy development, and negotiating tactics with the objective of providing professional and reliable transportation services in a cost-efficient manner * Embrace advanced technologies and demonstrate leadership in managing electronic manifest, route optimization and all other pertinent tools in order to gain efficiency and cost savings. * As opportunities arise, look for strategic hauler realignments or replacements for better milk movement optimization * Develop monthly Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to drive improvements in areas such as on-time delivery, turn times, ticket accuracy, hauler scorecards, DOT and safety compliance and any other pertinent items * Develop innovative strategies around hauling options in declining milksheds * Utilize relationships with federal and state regulatory agencies to drive initiatives that improve hauling conditions and efficiencies * Coordinate activities and strategies with dispatch and marketing that will strengthen the necessary infrastructure in place to move milk efficiently to our customer base * Attend and participate in various Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) and industry meetings, presenting and conveying DFA values and promoting a positive DFA and industry image * Call on customers and farmer-owners in a professional manner to resolve delivery or other service issues * Create hauler communications and other training materials as needed * The requirements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employee; but is not a complete list of responsibilities, duties and skills required.Other duties may be assigned as required. Education and Experience * Bachelor's degree in logistics, supply chain, agriculture or related field, preferred * 5 - 7 years of related experience in hauling/field/dairy * Experience with spreadsheet development and analysis required * Experience using SAP preferred * Experience with Power BI preferred * Experience with dairy.com, Ever.ag or other mobile applications preferred * Certification and/or License - Valid driver's license with no significant restrictions or violations; other certifications may be required during the course of employment Knowledge, Skills and Abilities * Must be tech savvy, have advanced Excel capabilities and be ready to lead using new technologies * Able to interact effectively with a wide range of people in business and social settings * Excellent skills in problem-solving and conflict resolution * Strong skills in communication (verbal, written, and inter-personal), including public speaking * Able to manage and organize multiple tasks * Able to make sound business decisions * Knowledge and understanding of the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance * Skills in proficient use of desktop computers and MS Office software applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) * Able to lead others and work in a group setting * Must be able to read, write, and speak English An Equal Opportunity Employer including Disabled/Veterans Salary: $95,000 - $125,000 / year