Manager Trainee (Evergreen)

Job Description

Manager Trainee (Evergreen)

This entry-level position is designed for individuals eager to grow into management within the transportation and logistics industry. Under general supervision, the Manager Trainee will immerse themselves in learning the critical aspects of managing a small driver count and/or overseeing non-traditional shifts, which often include nights and weekends. The primary goal is to ensure the safe and timely movement of freight, efficient load assignment, and the delivery of best-in-class customer service. A core component of this role involves comprehensive training on DOT regulations to ensure full compliance across all driver operations. The Manager Trainee will collaborate with both internal and external contacts to facilitate accurate planning, routing, monitoring, and successful delivery of all freight and loads.

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience and develop essential management skills, with a strong emphasis on learning and career progression within the company. Please note: This position requires openness to relocation at the end of the 1-6 month training program and willingness to work nights and/or weekends.

Key Responsibilities & Learning Objectives:

As a Manager Trainee, you will progressively learn to:

• Build and nurture positive professional relationships with drivers and reliable outside carriers to ensure seamless new carrier setup, minimize driver turnover, and maximize ongoing productivity and efficiency.
• Step in and provide coverage for absent or unavailable personnel, and contribute to special projects aimed at optimizing fleet operations and achieving profitability targets.
• Engage in personnel management activities, including the training and orientation of drivers and/or employees, as well as providing assistance with internal and third-party (customer) systems.
• Become proficient in maximizing the efficiency and profitability of fleet operations. This includes making recommendations for continuous improvement, measuring key performance indicators (KPIs), and creating, maintaining, and presenting customer-specific reporting and financial analyses, often through face-to-face interactions at customer locations.
• Gain comprehensive knowledge on managing inventory, company assets, customer pools, and the strategic assignment of drivers to effectively balance equipment within the market.
• Perform essential administrative duties such as processing payroll, managing the Net-Revenue budget, conducting driver counseling and accident reviews, accurate filing and documenting, resolving pay issues, analyzing Profit & Loss (P&L) statements, processing invoicing, and creating various operational or financial reports.
• Manage the yard operations, which includes checking and inspecting equipment, replacing minor parts (e.g., mud flaps), completing small repairs, and coordinating diligently with the maintenance department to ensure all regular preventative maintenance services are scheduled on time and all safety-related mechanical issues for account equipment are promptly addressed (as required).
• Collaborate effectively with drivers, customers, and company personnel to resolve service issues, routing and planning challenges, mechanical problems, and accessorial pay-related issues as they arise throughout the day, and be prepared to respond when on call.
• Uphold and promote the Company’s safety culture through daily driver safety messages, monthly driver safety briefings, quarterly driver training sessions, annual reviews, and consistent enforcement of company policies to ensure DOT compliance and adherence to company safety requirements.
• Assign loads and expertly plan, route, and monitor freight movement to provide safe, on-time service and consistently meet customer requirements. This includes actively managing freight exceptions and adjusting driver Estimated Times of Arrival (ETAs) based on pickup and delivery schedules, as well as other environmental factors encountered on the road.

Critical Program Requirements:

• MUST BE OPEN TO RELOCATION at the end of the 1-6 month training program.
• MUST BE OPEN TO WORKING NIGHTS AND/OR WEEKENDS as per operational needs.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Transportation/Logistics, Supply Chain, or a related field; OR
• A High School Diploma/GED combined with at least 1 year of experience in management, transportation/logistics, business administration, account management, or a related field, and/or equivalent military experience.
• Willingness to travel to account, customer, and company event locations when applicable.
• Ability to work across multiple shifts, including nights and/or weekends, if needed.
• Willingness to regionally relocate dependent on account assignment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience managing a team.
• Ability to anticipate, recognize, and effectively deal with existing or potential conflicts at the individual, group, or situational level.
• Strong ability to accurately analyze situations and reach productive decisions based on informed judgment.
• High adaptability to changing environments and operational demands.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain healthy working relationships with clients, vendors, and peers.
• A commitment to meeting or exceeding team/driver needs and expectations, providing excellent service in a direct or indirect manner.
• Effective communication skills: ability to effectively transmit, receive, and accurately interpret ideas through various mediums.
• Ability to recognize, anticipate, and proactively resolve organizational, operational, or process problems.

Compensation:

The expected starting pay range for this position is between $51,500.00 – $64,400.00 annually.

Factors that may influence the starting pay within this range include skills, education, experience, geographic location, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position may also be eligible for an annual bonus and incentives, based on profitability or volumes, in accordance with the terms of the Company’s bonus and incentive plans, as applicable and in effect from time to time.

This position is not eligible for employment-based sponsorship.

Benefits:

The Company offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time positions, subject to applicable eligibility requirements, including:

• Medical benefit
• Dental benefit
• Vision benefit
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Life insurance
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Paid time off commensurate with tenure (includes vacation and sick time)
• Six weeks of paid maternity leave along with two weeks of paid parental leave
• Six paid holidays annually

J.B. Hunt Transport, Inc. is committed to basing employment decisions on the principles of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, persons with disabilities, protected veterans or other bases by applicable law.