Carrier Procurement Rep

Responsibilities

The Carrier Procurement Representative is responsible for building and managing carrier relationships to ensure profitable freight coverage across the network. They will negotiate rates, optimize margins, and collaborate with internal teams to drive service consistency and operational excellence.

Requirements

Candidates should have 1-3+ years of experience in freight brokerage or transportation operations and possess strong negotiation and analytical skills. A high school diploma is required, while an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.

Skills

• Carrier Procurement
• Freight Brokerage
• Negotiation
• Relationship Management
• Capacity Development
• Logistics
• Supply Chain Management
• Market Analysis
• Data Analysis
• Transportation Operations
• Communication
• Problem Solving
• Time Management
• TMS
• CRM
• Microsoft Office

About this role

Company Description
Circle Logistics is a third-party logistics (3PL) firm focused on delivering three core promises to our customers:
No Fail Service
Personalized Communication
Innovative Solutions
We leverage technology, industry experience, and employee ingenuity to provide industry-leading transportation solutions that keep America moving.
Job Description
Carrier Procurement Rep - Fort Wayne, IN
The Carrier Procurement Representative is an individual contributor responsible for building, developing, and managing carrier relationships to support profitable freight coverage across Circle Logistics' network. This is a hands-on execution role focused on carrier procurement, carrier development, margin optimization, and operational excellence.
This position operates as a strategic procurement professional tasked with developing carrier partnerships, securing capacity, and supporting freight coverage across Circle's transportation network. Success requires strong work ethic, urgency, communication acumen, and sound decision-making in a fast-paced freight brokerage environment. The Procurement Representative will collaborate closely with sales, operations, account management, and leadership to drive growth initiatives, enhance buy-side performance, and strengthen Circle's carrier network.
The role emphasizes developing repeat carrier relationships, expanding carrier engagement, improving utilization rates, and executing procurement initiatives that drive service consistency and profitability. This foundational position within the procurement organization provides a clear pathway toward advanced procurement responsibilities.
Carrier Procurement & Capacity Development
Source, qualify, onboard, and develop carrier relationships across Circle Logistics' freight network
Build and maintain a diversified carrier portfolio spanning dry van, reefer, flatbed, expedited, and specialized transportation modes
Cultivate repeat carrier relationships to enhance service consistency and freight coverage
Maintain regular communication with carriers to strengthen partnerships and identify capacity opportunities
Negotiate competitive buy rates while balancing service expectations with profitability objectives
Evaluate carrier performance, pricing, service metrics, and reliability on an ongoing basis
Partner with Fraud and Compliance teams to ensure rigorous carrier onboarding, vetting, and fraud prevention protocols
Maintain accurate and current carrier information, rate history, and documentation within the TMS
Margin Improvement & Market Strategy
Leverage market data, load boards, and transportation indices to inform procurement decisions
Identify and capitalize on opportunities to improve lane profitability through strategic carrier development and pricing discipline
Support spot bid pricing, freight coverage initiatives, and procurement projects as assigned
Develop comprehensive understanding of seasonal trends, regional market dynamics, fuel fluctuations, and carrier economics
Collaborate with account management and sales teams to support new and existing business opportunities
Increase repeat carrier utilization and reduce reliance on transactional freight coverage
Carrier Relationship Management
Establish and nurture long-term working relationships with asset-based carriers, owner-operators, and regional fleets
Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned carrier relationships
Address service failures, disputes, and operational issues with professionalism and urgency
Maintain comprehensive carrier performance records tracking service quality, communication, acceptance rates, claims, and on-time delivery
Participate actively in carrier development initiatives and relationship-building activities
Procurement Development
Build deep expertise in transportation operations, carrier economics, and freight market dynamics
Develop specialized knowledge across assigned modes, markets, and customer freight profiles
Engage in coaching, training, and professional development opportunities to advance expertise
Support procurement initiatives designed to increase carrier utilization and relationship-based coverage
Demonstrate consistent progression toward advanced procurement responsibilities
Operational Excellence
Adhere to and support standard operating procedures for sourcing, onboarding, negotiation, load coverage, and carrier performance management
Maintain strong working knowledge of shipping lanes, geography, market conditions, and seasonal patterns
Collaborate with operations and customer teams to ensure successful account implementation and service delivery
Exceed individual performance expectations related to carrier development, service metrics, and procurement activity
Support leadership with reporting, procurement initiatives, and special projects as needed
Qualifications
Experience and Education Requirements
High School diploma, GED, or equivalent experience required
Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field (preferred)
1–3+ years of freight brokerage, carrier procurement, transportation operations, sales, customer service, or related experience
Demonstrated experience negotiating rates and managing relationships in transportation environments
Working knowledge of carrier economics, freight markets, and transportation operations
Proficiency with TMS and CRM platforms
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace, including spreadsheet reporting, data analysis, and reporting tools
Core Competencies & Skills
Exceptional negotiation and relationship-building capabilities
Strong sense of urgency with demonstrated competitive drive
Strategic problem-solving and sound decision-making ability
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to operate independently while collaborating effectively across functions
Meticulous organizational skills and attention to detail
Data-driven analytical mindset with the ability ...

About Circle Logistics

Truck Transportation · 501-1,000 employees · headquartered in Fort Wayne, Indiana · founded 2011