Senior Transportation Manager

Perdue Transportation Incorporated (PTI) is the transportation service and logistics provider for Perdue Foods. PTI’s team is comprised of support staff and private fleet drivers.  All drivers and team members are safety-minded and deliver on our promise for customer service and reliability each day.  Perdue Transportation Inc. is part of Perdue Farms, a fourth-generation, family-owned food and agricultural business deeply rooted in tradition yet with a forward-thinking mindset. We believe that success starts with our people, and our culture is built on a foundation of teamwork, integrity, and respect, where every voice matters and everyone is encouraged to contribute to our shared goals. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, inclusive environment where associates feel valued and inspired to make an impact, both within the company and in the communities we serve. From promoting growth and development to prioritizing work-life balance, we’re committed to helping our team members thrive. That's Perdue.

Summary

Drive safe, efficient, and high-performing transportation operations across regional commercial fleets supporting finished packaged goods, agricultural products, and the Farms division. As a Senior Transportation Manager, you will lead fleet drivers and oversee safety, regulatory compliance, cost control, asset management, and fleet utilization to ensure reliable and effective operations. You will execute business strategy by driving continuous improvement, implementing best practices, and identifying opportunities to simplify processes and strengthen performance. This role is ideal for a strategic, results-driven leader who excels at developing teams, balancing customer service with financial and operational goals, and delivering safe, efficient, and high-quality transportation solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Location Flexibility: This position may be filled by candidates residing near Candor, NC; Lewiston, NC; Nashville, NC; Norlina, NC; Rockingham, NC; Dillon, SC; Forsyth, GA; or Perry, GA. Regular travel throughout the assigned transportation network is required.

Schedule: Monday through Friday. This position must be willing and able to respond at any time via phone or in person and travel up to 60% to provide support to our associates.  This position will require flexibility to work odd shifts and sometimes weekends.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Ensure adherence to all Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and company safety mandates.
• Maintain and champion a proactive safety culture.
• Lead safety meetings, driver roundtables, and safety audits across company and vendor facilities.
• Oversee accident and injury investigations.
• Support implementation of corrective action plans with the supervisory team.
• Oversee specialized training programs regarding animal welfare, humane handling, and biosecurity protocols for live-haul, feed, and chick deliveries.
• Oversee fleet operations supporting finished packaged goods, agricultural products, and Farms divisions.
• Manage supervisory staff and fleet drivers.
• Manage talent acquisition, onboarding, driver orientation, retention initiatives, and performance evaluations.
• Manage tractor and trailer assets.
• Optimize driver-to-truck and truck-to-trailer ratios.
• Conduct regular travel to regional terminals, plant locations, and operational sites.
• Audit safety practices.
• Evaluate supervisor and driver performance.
• Collaborate with local management teams.
• Analyze delivery expenses, route efficiencies, and fuel usage to drive cost-saving initiatives without compromising service.
• Establish and review monthly cost estimates, financial scorecards, and weekly key performance indicators.
• Partner with Finance to analyze variances and forecast spending.
• Collaborate with the Fleet and Operations Director to formulate, justify, and lead annual capital expenditure requests for fleet upgrades, replacements, and facility enhancements.
• Implement industry best practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and continuous improvement frameworks.
• Maintain open and proactive communication with internal business partners and external customers and vendors.
• Support the broader departmental and company strategic vision through data-driven decision-making and cross-functional project execution.

Minimum Education and Experience

• 5-8 years of progressive experience in fleet operations, transportation management, or logistics.
• 3-5 years in a management or supervisory role overseeing private fleets or multi-site distribution.
• Hands-on working knowledge of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Hours of Service requirements, Electronic Logging Devices (Samsara), Driver Qualification requirements, and the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse.
• Proven financial acumen with experience managing operating budgets and analyzing delivery cost-per-mile and cost-per-case metrics.
• Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and telematics or fleet-tracking tools.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to analyze and resolve problems at both strategic and functional levels.
• Excellent cross-functional leadership skills to bridge communication among plant managers, drivers, senior leadership, and external partners.
• Remain available on a 24-hour, 7-day on-call basis for matters involving customer service or driver safety.
• Travel up to 60% to facility locations, customer sites, and farm operations.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Experience within agriculture, food and beverage distribution, livestock and live-haul operations, or heavy manufacturing, given the unique compliance and biosecurity requirements of the Farms division.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Stand and walk extensively indoors and outdoors on pavement, concrete, dirt, and gravel surfaces.
• Move between offices and buildings as needed.
• Sit for extended periods while using standard office equipment.
• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Work in plant environments with exposure to wet and moist floors, including metal and plastic grating surfaces.
• Work in temperatures ranging from 28°F to 100°F with ambient conditions and up to 100% humidity.
• Handle products in temperatures ranging from 25°F to 50°F.
• Work in noise levels ranging from 50 dB to 110 dB.
• Work around chemicals used in poultry and food-processing facilities.
• Wear and use all required personal protective equipment and safety equipment.
• Work indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Experience exposure to odors, allergens, dust, animal dander, animal by-products, tall grass, fans, wildlife, mud, and standing water.
• Ride in and climb into and out of semi-tractors, trailers, and ladders.
• Enter and exit semi-trucks and trailers using 3 points of contact.
• Work around trip hazards and chemicals.
• Work around tractor-trailers, garage environments, and large moving vehicles and equipment in yard environments.

Perdue Farms Inc. is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.