Description
Plan, optimize, and schedule freight routes across modes to meet cost, transit, and service targets. Research rates and routings, secure carrier capacity, and arrange pickups, drayage, and storage. Track shipments, ensure compliance with transport regulations, and keep customers informed throughout.
- • Select shipment routes based on cargo type, transit time, cost, and security needs.
- • Determine efficient, cost-effective modes or multimodal combinations to move goods.
- • Reserve space with carriers on ships, aircraft, rail, or trucks.
- • Schedule pickups, deliveries, drayage, and appointments with terminals or warehouses.
- • Arrange delivery or storage of goods at destinations.
- • Arrange special handling and temperature- or time-sensitive transport as required.
- • Calculate shipment weight, volume, density, and charges; optimize loads and consolidation.
- • Prepare and transmit shipping instructions and documents such as bills of lading and packing lists.
- • Consolidate shipments with common routes or destinations to reduce cost.
- • Inform clients of routing options, ETAs, transfers, and regulations affecting shipments.
- • Keep accurate dispatch, routing, and received-goods records.
- • Maintain current knowledge of transport regulations, tariffs, and geopolitical factors that could affect routing.
- • Monitor and record shipment locations and milestones via TMS, GPS, or EDI.
- • Negotiate or confirm shipping rates, accessorials, and service levels with carriers.
- • Coordinate with shippers or forwarders on cargo insurance requirements.
- • Prepare cost quotations and rate confirmations for freight moves.
- • Code freight charges and accessorials and submit for billing or payment.
- • Recommend or arrange suitable packing methods based on climate, terrain, weight, and handling.
- • Verify proper packaging, labeling, and hazard markings to meet carrier and regulatory rules.
- • Verify documentation compliance with carrier policies and transport regulations.
- • Coordinate customs clearance with customs brokers for cross-border shipments.
- • Provide port, rail ramp, or terminal information to shippers and consignees.
- • Provide proactive shipment status updates and exception notifications.
- • Analyze and select routes to minimize environmental impact and risk.
- • Use rail, short sea, air, or road options to reduce emissions where feasible.
- • Consider sustainability and damage-prevention factors when advising on packaging.
- • Recommend shipping solutions that balance cost, service, and environmental goals.
- • Review carrier safety and environmental records to inform routing decisions.
- • Resolve in-transit issues by re-routing, expediting, or arranging diversions as needed.
- • Schedule loads based on equipment capacity, driver hours-of-service, and cutoffs.
- • Maintain data accuracy in the transportation management system and carrier EDI.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Source
Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Sources & Standards:
This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
