Manager Fleet & Transportation Strategy

Border States
life insurance, paid holidays, 401(k), retirement plan
United States, North Dakota, Fargo
2400 38th Street South (Show on map)
Jan 09, 2026
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. This position will be located in: Fargo, ND Application Deadline: January 23, 2026. Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active. Job Summary 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 is responsible for optimizing the entire logistics network, integrating advanced freight strategy, robust carrier performance management, and comprehensive asset lifecycle planning to deliver efficient, compliant, and world-class order fulfillment. This position is key to driving service level improvements, substantial cost optimization, and supply chain resiliency while ensuring rigorous compliance with DOT, Hazmat, and international trade regulations. Responsibilities Essential Functions Develops and executes 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. Manages the entire fleet asset lifecycle for power units and forklifts and trailers plus containers, including data-driven specification, acquisition/lease, utilization optimization, preventive maintenance program oversight, warranty/repairs, and timely remarketing. Leads high-stakes carrier sourcing and contract negotiations; proactively manage vendor performance to enforce rigorous service level agreements (SLAs), claims processes, and cost control. Leverages advanced Transportation Management Systems (TMS), telematics, and Business Intelligence (BI) tools to optimize network design, routing, and load planning, improving on-time delivery metrics. Directs maintenance programs, fuel management, and actively pilot alternative-fuel (Alt-Fuel) and Electric Vehicle (EV) strategies to meet corporate sustainability goals. Leads compliance efforts for all DOT and Hazmat regulations in close partnership with the Safety and the Legal teams. Defines, publishes, and drives improvement against critical operational and carrier performance KPIs, including uptime, cost/mile, MPG, on-time delivery percentage, and claims ratio analysis. Develops and manages the transportation and fleey budgets, supports the claims process as needed, and supports the audit freight invoices to ensure financial accuracy and control. Collaborates strategically with Operations, Sales, Finance, and Compliance teams to align logistics performance with overall business objectives and customer delivery expectations. Other duties as assigned by supervisor or other designate. Non-essential Functions Coordinates ACE eManifest readiness and customs documentation with carriers and brokers for border compliance, as needed. Supports trade compliance initiatives (USMCA, CTPAT) in partnership with compliance leadership. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field. Master's degree or relevant certification (e.g., CTP, CSCP) preferred. Equivalent experience will be considered. 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 required. Deep knowledge of transportation regulations (DOT, FMCSA) and compliance fundamentals, particularly Hazmat and general knowledge about international trade compliance (CTPAT, ACE). Expert proficiency in Microsoft 365, Enterprise-level TMS (Transportation Management System), telematics platforms, SAP or similar ERP, and BI tools (Tableau/Power BI). Skills and Abilities Strategic Leadership Operational Excellence Vendor & Carrier Management Analytical Problem Solving Compliance & Safety Mindset Customer Focus Physical Requirements Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day: Occasionally 0 - 33% Frequently34 - 66% Continuously: 67 - 100% Lift from Waist: < than 10 lbs. - Not at all 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all 100+ lbs. - Not at all Lift from Floor: < than 10 lbs. - Frequently 10 to 25 lbs. - Frequently 26 to 50 lbs. - Occasionally 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all 100+ lbs. - Not at all Carried for Distance: < than 10 lbs. - Not at all 10 to 25 lbs. - Not at all 26 to 50 lbs. - Not at all 51 to 75 lbs. - Not at all 75 to 100 lbs. - Not at all 100+ lbs. - Not at all Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day: Sitting (a continuous period of being seated) - Continuously Standing (for sustained periods of time) - Frequently Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks) - Frequently Bending/stooping (downward and forward) - Occasionally Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet) - Not at all Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending) - Frequently Reaching (extending arms in any direction) - Frequently Crouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine) - Occasionally Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s)) - Occasionally Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling) - Occasionally Repetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers) - Continuously Pivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor) - Occasionally Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug) - Occasionally Grasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm) - Continuously Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand) - Continuously Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word) - Frequently Driving (the control and operation of a motor vehicle) - Occasionally Desk work (work usually performed at a desk) - Continuously Use of a computer - Continuously Use of a telephone - Frequently Hearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels) - Continuously Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions) - Not at all Travel (travel needed to perform job duties) - Frequently Additional Information This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation. Our History Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company. Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers' needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others. Values As a Border States employee-owner, you're responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards. Our Purpose We believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners - of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver. Service Philosophy We earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do. Service Standards Border States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged . Your career Join an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States. What are you waiting for? Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to: Health, Dental and Vision Benefits Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity FSA & HSA Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Disability Benefits 401(k) Retirement Plan Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program Paid Holidays Paid Volunteer Time Personal Leave time and more! Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals. Equal Opportunity For All It's not just the law.It's something we've believed in since our founding.We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer. Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings: Criminal background check (required for all positions) Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving) Drug testing The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.