Backhaul Network Manager

  Position: Backhaul Network ManagerLocation: Remote Pay: $60,000 - $70,000 Annually Shift: M - F 8:00AM - 5:00 PM     Position Overview The Backhaul Network Manager is responsible for leading and optimizing the company’s backhaul procurement strategy across the entire transportation network. This role manages customer onboarding, ensures backhaul contracts are accurate and aligned with operational capacity, and provides communication and strategic direction to both internal and external partners. You will oversee the Backhaul Coordinator and serve as the primary liaison between Logistics Engineering, Operations leadership, Sales, and new backhaul customers. Success in this role requires strong communication skills, deep knowledge of trucking operations, attention to contractual detail, and a proactive approach to balancing network capacity with revenue‑generating backhaul freight. Key Responsibilities Strategic Backhaul Management Lead the development and execution of the company’s backhaul sourcing strategy across all regions. Analyze network imbalances and collaborate with planning and operations to ensure alignment with backhaul opportunities. Oversee and validate the coordinator’s work on bid matching, lane alignment, and contract submissions. Leadership & Team Management Manage, coach, and develop the Backhaul Coordinator to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and overall performance. Set team objectives, track performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement in backhaul processes. Cross‑Functional Communication & Leadership Engagement Facilitate bi‑monthly meetings with Operations Directors and Vice Presidents to review backhaul performance, capacity needs, and upcoming opportunities. Communicate the Backhaul Needs Report to Sales and collaborate with them to target and secure appropriate customers. Confirm weekly backhaul requirements and commitments with operations teams to ensure execution readiness. Customer & Contract Management Lead the onboarding process for new backhaul customers, ensuring seamless integration with operations and dispatch teams. Ensure all backhaul contracts, agreements, rates, and commitments are accurate and properly documented. Review weekly capacity commitments and ensure contracted freight matches operational availability. Maintain strong relationships with carriers, customers, and third‑party logistics partners. Analytics & Reporting Use data (Excel, Power BI, Tableau) to monitor lane performance, contract adherence, and weekly execution trends. Provide reporting and insights to senior leadership on backhaul financial impact, network efficiency, and utilization metrics. Identify and communicate continuous improvement opportunities through data‑driven insights. Qualifications Required: 3–6 years of experience in logistics, transportation management, supply chain, or network planning. Strong understanding of OTR trucking operations, bid processes, and backhaul procurement. Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, lookups, modeling). Clear, confident communication skills appropriate for Directors, VPs, customers, and cross‑functional teams. Experience coordinating transportation activities across multiple regions or terminals. Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience (formal or informal). Preferred: Proficiency in Power BI, Tableau, or similar visualization tools. Experience reading, interpreting, or managing transportation contracts or rate sheets. Familiarity with TMS platforms (McLeod, Oracle, MercuryGate, etc.). Strong background in network optimization or logistics engineering. Key Attributes for Success Excellent communicator capable of translating analytics into actionable strategy for senior leaders. Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence cross‑functional teams. Highly organized with a strong ability to manage multiple customers, contracts, and weekly deliverables. Analytical thinker who uses data to drive decisions and identify trends. Agility in a fast‑paced environment with shifting priorities and evolving business needs. Why Join Our Team As a Backhaul Network Manager, you will directly impact revenue growth, customer relationships, and corporate logistics strategy. You’ll have the opportunity to lead a high‑visibility function, work closely with executive operations leadership, and shape how our backhaul network evolves in the future.