Transportation Manager of Live Operations

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

Lead a high-performing transportation operation that plays a critical role in supporting Perdue’s Live Operations network. As Fleet Transportation Manager, you will oversee a team of approximately 100 CDL Class A drivers while driving safe, efficient, and on-time delivery of live haul, feed, chick, and egg operations. You will lead transportation supervisors and dispatch teams, champion a culture of safety and continuous improvement, and build strong relationships across internal and external partners to achieve operational excellence. This role is ideal for a results-driven leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, excels at developing teams, managing complex operations, and delivering exceptional service while driving business performance.

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.

Principal Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Oversee daily transportation operations for the area.
• Provide leadership to supervisors, ensuring they have the tools and skills to lead drivers successfully.
• Interview, hire, train, develop, and evaluate Associates, including drivers.
• Promote and evaluate Associate growth and development.
• Ensure Associates meet performance expectations and coach and educate Associates as needed.
• Ensure adequate staffing to meet business needs, including schedules (tours), attendance, paid time off, holidays, and weekend coverage.
• Ensure retention numbers are met for the assigned area of business.
• Exceed daily on-time delivery requirements and internal and external customer expectations.
• Establish goals and projects to reduce delivery expenses, increase utilization, and drive continuous operational improvement.
• Manage, approve, and audit driver and Associate payroll, schedules, and time off to meet operational needs, including weekend and holiday coverage.
• Conduct safety audits on company, customer, and vendor facilities and report findings, potential improvements, and follow up on improvements.
• Conduct and lead driver quarterly meeting schedules.
• Establish, report, and promote continuous improvement on weekly KPIs.
• Develop and implement initiatives for improvement.
• Establish and foster Associate, internal, and external relationships.
• Provide support for special events as needed.
• Support the strategic direction of the department and company.
• Establish a safety culture where Associates put safety first to prevent injuries and accidents.
• Establish safety goals and implement improvement plans.
• Manage and exceed safety KPIs.
• Conduct monthly safety roundtables and/or meetings with drivers and Associates.
• Manage accidents and injuries, including investigation and reporting.
• Oversee DOT compliance, including reviewing hours of service and daily equipment inspections.
• Review and administer driver safety violations.
• Conduct weekly asset and facility safety inspections.
• Manage daily tractor and trailer pools for each location, with a priority on improving driver-to-truck and truck-to-trailer ratios to achieve and sustain a competitive advantage with outside vendors.
• Manage rental equipment, including tractors and trailers, according to company requirements.
• Audit and inspect equipment weekly for damage and utilization.
• Audit and track company equipment, including EZPass and ELD tablets.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience

• Prior senior leadership/management experience

Preferred Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• 5-10 years of transportation, distribution, or logistics leadership experience.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to utilize technology.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Factors

• Maintain flexible work schedules, including days and hours, to handle weather, holidays, or other service disruptions.
• Remain on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for matters involving customer service or driver safety.
• Travel frequently to and from facility locations.
• Perform work that is mostly sedentary but may require occasional movement to other offices, buildings, and truck yards.
• Work around office equipment and inside and outside weather conditions, dust, and animal materials.
• Exercise decision-making authority for all aspects of day-to-day operations, including resolving customer inquiries, team performance evaluations, dispatch issues, and service resolutions.
• Involve higher approval on matters of budgeting, capital expenditure requests, and decisions requiring suspensions or terminations.

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.