Ltl Operations Manager Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

About Excelligence Learning Corporation

Excelligence Learning Corporation is the world's leading tech-enabled platform company in early childhood and elementary education. Educators, parents, and children in more than 40 countries rely on our portfolio of over 20,000 innovative educational products and teaching solutions to teach, learn, and grow.

With over 30 years of experience, Excelligence is a developer, manufacturer, distributor, and multi-channel retailer serving early childhood learning centers, elementary schools, PTAs, and consumers. Our family of industry-leading brands includes Discount School Supply®, Really Good Stuff®, Children's Factory®, Angeles®, Learning Carpets®, Colorations®, BioColor®, and Frog Street®.

Position Summary

Excelligence Learning Corporation is seeking a highly organized and analytical Logistics Coordinator to support domestic transportation and inbound logistics operations. This role is responsible for coordinating Less-Than-Truckload (LTL), Truckload (TL), and international ocean freight shipments, ensuring timely and cost-effective transportation execution, and driving continuous improvement across our logistics network.

The Logistics Coordinator serves as the primary liaison between Excelligence and its third-party logistics (3PL) transportation provider, while collaborating closely with carriers, freight forwarders, vendors, and internal stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess strong transportation operations experience, excellent analytical capabilities, and a passion for process improvement.

This position is based onsite in Gardner, Kansas and requires in-office attendance five days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Support outbound transportation operations for both direct-to-consumer (DTC) and business customer shipments.
• Monitor and track LTL and Truckload freight to ensure on-time and cost-effective delivery performance.
• Communicate shipment updates, delays, and exceptions to internal stakeholders.
• Tender and manage freight loads through MercuryGate TMS or similar transportation management platforms.
• Select carriers based on cost, service performance, transit requirements, and customer needs.
• Escalate and resolve transportation issues including freight claims, OS&D, delivery exceptions, and shipment delays.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with carriers, brokers, vendors, and logistics partners.
• Monitor inbound international ocean freight shipments and ensure accurate shipment visibility and milestone tracking.
• Serve as the primary logistics liaison between Freight Forwarders, Merchandising, and Inventory Planning teams.
• Support inventory availability and replenishment objectives through proactive shipment management.
• Train internal associates and vendors on TMS processes, routing guides, and shipping requirements.
• Monitor compliance with transportation standards and vendor routing requirements.
• Analyze transportation data to identify cost savings opportunities and drive operational improvements.
• Support transportation optimization initiatives and continuous improvement projects.

Required Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in transportation, logistics, supply chain, or freight operations.
• Experience using Transportation Management Systems (TMS), preferably MercuryGate or similar platforms.
• Strong knowledge of LTL and Truckload transportation operations, carrier management, freight routing, and shipment execution.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, reporting, and data analysis.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced logistics environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships with carriers, vendors, 3PL partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Experience utilizing AI tools to analyze information, improve productivity, support decision-making, and drive process improvements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience working with third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
• Experience within distribution, retail, manufacturing, or e-commerce supply chain environments.
• Experience with transportation optimization initiatives including LTL consolidations, multi-stop routing, mode conversion, or carrier rationalization.
• Familiarity with transportation KPIs, freight auditing, and logistics performance reporting.
• Knowledge of parcel shipping operations and mode optimization strategies.
• APICS, CSCMP, Lean, Six Sigma, or other supply chain/logistics certifications.

What Success Looks Like

• Consistent on-time shipment execution and transportation performance.
• Improved freight visibility and proactive communication across the supply chain.
• Strong partnerships with carriers, vendors, freight forwarders, and logistics providers.
• Increased routing guide compliance and reduced transportation exceptions.
• Identification and implementation of freight savings and transportation optimization opportunities.
• Continuous improvement of logistics processes that enhance customer service and operational efficiency.

Why Join Excelligence?

At Excelligence, you'll be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to supporting educators and helping children succeed. You'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our logistics and supply chain operations while working alongside talented professionals in a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Excelligence Learning Corporation is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants, and other covered persons without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship status, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.