Columbia Distributing

Transportation Specialist

Columbia Distributing  •  $56k - $58k/yr  •  Kent, WA (Onsite)  •  2 hours ago
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Job Description

Summary

Transportation Specialist position will provide detailed daily/weekly/month routing and dispatch requirements working with both the Purchasing, Operation and 3TL/Logistics teams. The Transportation Specialist will be a valuable resource that will also research and understand the transportation category working with third parties in the Truck Load and Less Than Truckload industry. These solutions will increase ordering efficiencies to lower Columbia Distributing's total cost of ownership. This position will be a key contributor to understanding the opportunities and priorities of the transportation category. This position will also be a key contributor in developing a Purchasing score card (KPI) that will be shared with our leadership team monthly.

Key Responsibilities

  • Creating and dispatching daily driver schedules for our internal 3TL/Logistics team (40%)
  • Performs the collection, consolidation, analysis of expense history and recommendations that will support the front end of strategic sourcing projects (15%)
  • Assists in the administration, data input and integrity of the enterprise procurement process ensuring enterprise stakeholder satisfaction within the ordering process (15%)
  • Claims processing that leads to developing metrics that support process improvements and insurance that the company is reimbursed fairly and timely. Assess and develop a consistent company process that will include educating our operational and accounting business partners (10%)
  • Developing, maintaining, and communicating an accurate KPI that supports actionable outputs and pertinent information for our stakeholders/suppliers (10%)
  • Collaboration with the Procurement Forecast/Planning Specialist to optimize one of our tier 1 categories- Transportation (10%)
  • Other tasks or projects as assigned

Key Competencies

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Multi-tasking skills with supreme attention to details
  • Strong computer and data analysis skills
  • Enjoys working, influencing, and leading cross functional teams
  • Must be able to work in cross functional teams
  • Knowledge of MS Excel MS Word. MS Access and PowerPoint a plus

Supplier/ Stakeholder Management

  • Tier 1 supplier management- quarterly or half yearly meetings
  • Educating and learning from our internal stakeholders (category experts) and category research (suppliers, best practices, innovation) will be used to manage the RFP or buying process and lead the cross-functional team

Work Environment

  • Mostly corporate office environment but branch, warehouse, and supplier meetings at their locations will be important during the discovery/ integration portion of the category projects when needed

Physical Demands

  • Mostly office environment but lifting of up to 25 pounds might be needed when working certain categories

Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days/hours of work are flexible and may include weekends or off hours during stages of different projects when needed.

Travel

Approximately 5%

Required Education and Experience

  • Procurement and Transportation background is desired
  • Ability to work in a high growth organization delivering results during times of ambiguity
  • High School Diploma or GED

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's Degree in Business

Compensation

  • Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications, and specific location.
  • Employees (and their families) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are able to enroll in our company's 401k plan. Employees are also eligible for 80 hours of vacation every year and 7-8 days of paid holidays throughout the calendar year (depending on location).
  • Hired applicant may be eligible for [incentives/ bonuses/ annual bonuses].

Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: 3TL/Logistics Delivery Supervisor

Pay Range

$56,000 - $58,000 per year

Benefits

Columbia Distributing offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 24/7 virtual care, paid vacation, sick and holiday time, and a 401(k) plan with company match. Additional offerings inclu

AAP/EEO Statement

Columbia Distributing is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Please contact the Human Resources Dept. at (425)251-9300 or email recruiting@coldist.com if you have questions regarding reasonable accommodations.

Columbia Distributing

About Columbia Distributing

Columbia Distributing is one of the nation’s finest beer, cider, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverage distributors since 1935. With our primary hubs are located in Kent, WA and Canby, OR, we distribute some of the best known brands in the beverage business. Today Columbia Distributing employs nearly 3,000 people and covers more than 135,000 square miles across Oregon and Washington.

We were named “2015 Beer Wholesaler of the Year” by the leading beverage business trends magazine Market Watch. Columbia Distributing has also been named the winner of Beverage Wholesaler Magazine’s "Best Workforce Development Award" for 2025.

Our success is based on the deep-rooted tradition of delivering quality products, timely service and a genuine concern for customers’ needs. This is achieved by providing ongoing, sustainable opportunities and growth for our employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and communities. This national recognition is a powerful reflection of the effort we’re putting into developing our people, investing in leadership growth, and building a culture of continuous improvement. It’s also validation that what we’re doing internally is being noticed and celebrated across our industry.

For more information on Columbia Distributing and career opportunities, please visit www.coldist.com.

Industry
Food & Beverage
Company Size
1,001-5,000 employees
Headquarters
Wilsonville, Oregon
Year Founded
1935
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