Transportation Operations Analyst

About the Role

The Transportation Operations Analyst plays a crucial role in optimizing the daily logistics of goods across a wide distribution network. This position focuses on enhancing routing, route design, and overall operational efficiency for a fleet of over 27 drivers involved in pickups, deliveries, and various food bank events. The analyst will utilize sound judgment to manage competing priorities and transform data into actionable strategies that boost service, ensure compliance, and improve distribution effectiveness. Collaborating closely with Transportation and Operations leadership, this role will identify improvement opportunities, propose solutions, and drive their implementation within a dynamic, mission-driven setting.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the development, maintenance, and continuous enhancement of route plans and delivery schedules for a fleet of 27+ drivers, aiming to balance service quality, cost-effectiveness, and driver hours.
• Design efficient route structures, including fixed, dynamic, and hybrid models, for collecting goods from suppliers and delivering to partners, mobile pantry locations, and grocery rescue sites. This will involve considering time windows, vehicle capacity, product perishability, traffic conditions, and driver shift limitations.
• Employ route optimization algorithms and modeling techniques (such as VRP variants) to minimize total mileage, labor hours, and deadhead travel, while guaranteeing timely deliveries and adherence to regulations.
• Assist the Transportation Manager in planning home deliveries for Healthcare and Government Commodity programs.
• Gather and analyze data from GPS, telematics, delivery exceptions, and order logs to pinpoint inefficiencies and areas for cost reduction and service improvement.
• Collaborate with Transportation leadership to establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and performance dashboards, tracking metrics like on-time delivery rates, stops per hour, fuel efficiency, and dwell times.
• Generate reports, interpret analytical findings, and present practical recommendations to Operations leadership.
• Conduct scenario analyses to assess the impact of factors like volume fluctuations, new task integrations, and facility changes on driver utilization and route configurations.
• Work with transportation supervisors, drivers, warehouse staff, sourcing teams, and partner support to implement optimized routes and integrate real-world operational feedback.
• Train transportation supervisors on new routing tools and technologies designed to enhance and manage daily operations.
• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce operational costs, including fuel consumption, overtime, and deadhead mileage, while safeguarding food safety, quality, and service levels.
• Spearhead pilot projects and evaluate their outcomes for strategies such as route consolidation and hub-and-spoke models to increase network density and decrease route redundancy and duration.
• Partner with Transportation leadership to recommend optimal vehicle configurations (considering capacity and refrigeration needs) that align with specific route requirements.
• Maintain telematics data for Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) and GPS systems, including reviewing and resolving unassigned mileage with minimal supervision.
• Manage and configure route optimization software (e.g., Samsara, Verizon Reveal), Transportation Management System (TMS)/Warehouse Management System (WMS) integrations, and telematics platforms, ensuring data accuracy.
• Assist in maintaining information within the leased vehicle portal.
• Ensure route designs comply with driver Hours of Service (HOS) regulations, vehicle weight and permit restrictions, food safety transit standards, and local laws.
• Integrate driver safety protocols and product temperature control requirements into all routing and scheduling decisions.
• Oversee the implementation of all routing and compliance measures through transportation supervisors.
• Undertake other related duties as assigned.

How The Work Gets Done

The Transportation Operations Analyst embodies the following core competencies in their daily work:

• Instills Trust: Builds credibility through integrity, sound judgment, data accuracy, and consistent follow-through.
• Collaborates: Works effectively with leaders, drivers, and cross-functional teams to achieve common objectives.
• Customer-Centric Focus: Provides responsive support to drivers and departmental staff, delivering practical solutions aligned with business needs.
• Ensures Accountability: Holds themselves and others responsible for commitments, actions, and achieving accurate and effective outcomes.

What We’re Looking For

• A strong commitment to the Food Bank of the Rockies mission and a dedication to positively representing the organization both internally and externally.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and leaders across various functions and levels.
• Proven capacity for sound judgment, managing competing priorities, and making well-informed decisions in a fast-paced operational setting.
• Skill in translating operational data and analytical insights into clear recommendations, process enhancements, and actionable plans.
• A strategic perspective capable of balancing personnel needs, business objectives, and regulatory compliance.
• A high degree of professionalism and the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the capacity to engage effectively with frontline staff, supervisors, and leadership.
• An independent, self-motivated problem-solver with strong judgment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly advanced Excel skills, along with competence in Word, PowerPoint, and MS Teams.
• Familiarity with telematics/GPS/ELD systems, TMS/WMS, with Samsara experience being a plus.
• Experience in food logistics, including food safety temperature monitoring, cold-chain logistics, and handling perishable inventory.

Expected Hours of Work

The work environment is primarily an office setting, with occasional exposure to a warehouse environment. This role may involve occasional field ride-alongs within the Food Bank of the Rockies service area (less than 5% of the time). Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Additional Information

Applications will be accepted until June 16th. Food Bank of the Rockies is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE), M/F/D/V/SO. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities during the application and interview process. Please contact hr@foodbankrockies.org or 303-371-9250 for accommodation requests.