Job Description: Freight Manager

Core Purpose

The Freight Manager owns Harbor Fab's enterprise-wide transportation strategy and execution by ensuring every shipment moves safely, on time, and at the lowest total landed cost.

This position is accountable for managing one of Harbor Fab's largest controllable operating expenses while supporting customer satisfaction and operational efficiency. Working across Benton, Cleburne, Winnsboro, Baxley and future locations, the Freight Manager aligns Production Planning, Shipping, Purchasing, Operations, and transportation partners into one integrated logistics network.

Business Impact

The Freight Manager is responsible for all inbound freight, outbound customer deliveries, and intercompany transportation across Harbor Fab's manufacturing network.

Success is measured by continuously improving transportation performance while reducing total freight expense and supporting world-class customer service.

Annual Objective

Develop and execute a transportation strategy that lowers average transportation cost per mile while maintaining or improving on-time delivery and customer service.

Key Strategies

• Strategic carrier partnerships
• Competitive freight procurement
• Shipment consolidation
• Intercompany load optimization
• Routing optimization
• Reduction of expedited freight
• Freight invoice auditing
• Data-driven decision making
• Continuous process improvement

Major Functions

Transportation Management

• Manage all inbound, outbound, and intercompany freight.
• Coordinate transportation across all Harbor Fab facilities.
• Schedule carriers and ensure on-time pickups and deliveries.
• Resolve transportation issues, claims, shortages, and damages.
• Build strategic carrier partnerships.

Freight Cost Management

• Manage the freight budget.
• Negotiate transportation rates and contracts.
• Obtain competitive freight quotes.
• Audit freight invoices.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities.

Production & Logistics Coordination

• Partner daily with Production Planning and Shipping.
• Consolidate outbound shipments.
• Optimize intercompany transfers.
• Maximize trailer utilization.
• Minimize expedited freight.

Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Maintain transportation SOPs and routing guides.
• Improve ERP and freight data accuracy.
• Develop freight dashboards and KPIs.
• Standardize logistics processes.

Leadership

• Collaborate across Operations, Sales, Purchasing, Estimating, and Production Planning.
• Drive accountability through measurable results.
• Proactively solve logistics challenges.

GWC

Gets It

• Understands manufacturing logistics.
• Thinks in systems.
• Uses data to drive decisions.

Wants It

• Takes ownership.
• Enjoys logistics challenges.
• Pursues continuous improvement

Capacity

• Coordinates multiple facilities.
• Negotiates effectively.
• Communicates clearly.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of transportation, logistics, or supply chain leadership experience in manufacturing.
• Experience managing freight across multiple facilities.
• Experience negotiating transportation contracts.
• Strong analytical and Excel skills.
• Experience with ERP/TMS platforms.

Preferred

• Structural steel or miscellaneous metals experience.
• Heavy-haul or oversized freight experience.
• APICS, CLTD, CSCMP, or similar certification.

Definition of Success

The Freight Manager creates a competitive advantage by transforming transportation into a strategic capability. Success is demonstrated through measurable reductions in freight expense, increased trailer utilization, improved on-time delivery, stronger carrier partnerships, and optimized intercompany logistics that support Harbor Fab's profitability and growth.

Department: Operations / Supply Chain Reports To: Vice President of Operations Classification: Full-Time | Exempt Salary Range: 85K-110K DOE