Manager Fleet & Transportation Strategy

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee‑owned, which means you’re empowered to make decisions, find solutions, and receive rewards for your hard work.

Location: Fargo, ND

Final date to receive applications: January 28, 2026.

Brief

Note:

The position may be filled before or after the listed deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.

The Manager, Fleet & Transportation Strategy provides strategic leadership for national fleet and transportation operations, overseeing a significant asset base of power units and forklifts. This role optimizes the entire logistics network, integrates advanced freight strategy, robust carrier performance management, and comprehensive asset lifecycle planning to deliver efficient, compliant, and world‑class order fulfillment. The position drives service‑level improvements, cost optimization, and supply‑chain resiliency while ensuring rigorous compliance with DOT, Hazmat, and international trade regulations.

Essential Functions

• Develop and execute high‑impact transportation and freight strategies across all modes (parcel, LTL, TL, dedicated fleet), focusing on maximizing service levels (NPS) while driving down cost‑per‑mile.
• Manage the entire fleet asset lifecycle for power units, forklifts, trailers, and containers, including data‑driven specification, acquisition/lease, utilization optimization, preventive maintenance program oversight, warranty/repairs, and remarketing.
• Lead high‑stakes carrier sourcing and contract negotiations; proactively manage vendor performance to enforce rigorous SLAs, claims processes, and cost control.
• Leverage advanced TMS, telematics, and BI tools to optimize network design, routing, and load planning, improving on‑time delivery metrics.
• Direct maintenance programs, fuel management, and pilot alternative‑fuel (Alt‑Fuel) and electric vehicle (EV) strategies to meet corporate sustainability goals; lead compliance efforts for DOT and Hazmat regulations with Safety and Legal teams.
• Define, publish, and drive improvement against critical operational and carrier KPI’s, including uptime, cost/mile, MPG, on‑time delivery, and claims ratio.
• Develop and manage transportation and fleet budgets, support the claims process, and audit freight invoices for accuracy.
• Collaborate strategically with Operations, Sales, Finance, and Compliance to align logistics performance with business objectives and customer delivery expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Non‑essential Functions

• Coordinate ACE eManifest readiness and customs documentation with carriers and brokers for border compliance.
• Support trade compliance initiatives (USMCA, CTPAT) in partnership with compliance leadership.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, logistics, or related field;
  Master’s or relevant certification (CTP, CSCP) preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in fleet operations and freight management, preferably in a national B2B or wholesale distribution environment.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage a team of direct or functional reports/analysts.
• Expert‑level negotiation, vendor management, and data‑driven analytical skills.
• Deep knowledge of transportation regulations (DOT, FMCSA) and compliance fundamentals, particularly Hazmat and international trade compliance (CTPAT, ACE).
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft 365, enterprise‑level TMS, telematics platforms, SAP or similar ERP, and BI tools (Tableau/Power BI).

• Strategic Leadership
• Operational Excellence
• Vendor & Carrier Management
• Analytical Problem Solving
• Compliance & Safety Mindset
• Customer Focus

Frequency of carrying/lifting:

• Occasionally 0–33%
• Frequently 34–66%
• Continuously 67–100%

• Lift from Waist:
  • < 10 lbs – Not at all
  • 10–25 lbs – Not at all
  • 26–50 lbs – Not at all
  • 51–75 lbs – Not at all
  • 75–100 lbs – Not at all
  • 100+ lbs – Not at all
• Lift from Floor:
  • < 10 lbs – Frequently
  • 10–25 lbs – Frequently
  • 26–50 lbs – Occasionally
  • 51–75 lbs – Not at all
  • 75–100 lbs – Not at all
  • 100+ lbs – Not at all
• Carried for Distance:
  • < 10 lbs – Not at all
  • 10–25 lbs – Not at all
  • 26–…