Route Optimization Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Overview

At KeHE, we’re obsessed with creating solutions, unboxing potential, and serving others – and it all starts with you. As an employee-owned distributor of natural and organic, specialty, and fresh products, we’re committed to making a positive impact and scaling our success together. With a culture that fosters development and opportunity, you’ll be embarking on a career that’s moving forward. When you join KeHE, you’re becoming part of a team that is a force for good.

Responsibilities

The Central Router, Transportation converts released transportation demand into safe, service-compliant, and executable route plans for assigned KeHE Distribution Centers through the centralized routing function. Using Manhattan Active Transportation Management (MATM) and approved enterprise standards, the role balances customer delivery requirements, Distribution Center cutoffs, driver hours-of-service, fleet capacity, equipment needs, cube and weight, mileage, and transportation cost. The Central Router owns pre-execution route planning and plan release; Centralized Scheduling owns appointments, Centralized Dispatch owns driver communication and day-of-execution decisions, and Distribution Center teams own product, dock, yard, and equipment readiness. As with all positions at KeHE Distributors, we expect that all actions will be consistent with KeHE’s Mission, Vision, and Values.

Qualifications

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Strong working knowledge of route optimization, load planning, stop sequencing, private-fleet operations, and the ability to interpret driver hours-of-service, route duration, cube and weight, equipment and temperature requirements, customer delivery windows, and Distribution Center constraints.
• Working knowledge of Transportation Management Systems and route-optimization tools, preferably Manhattan Active Transportation Management and Manhattan routing or modeling capabilities.
• Strong analytical, root-cause analysis, and problem-solving skills, with close attention to data integrity and the ability to make fact-based planning decisions under time-sensitive cutoffs and connect routing decisions to service, utilization, mileage, route count, capacity, and cost.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with Power BI, reporting tools, or transportation analytics is preferred
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to explain routing decisions and collaborate across Centralized Scheduling, Centralized Dispatch, Fleet, Transportation Systems, Customer Care, and Distribution Center Operations while maintaining clear role ownership and decision rights
• Ability to manage multiple Distribution Centers, planning cycles, priorities, and exceptions; follow standardized work; maintain clear documentation; and contribute to continuous improvement in a high-volume environment.
• Ability to work a schedule aligned with routing cutoffs, including evenings, weekends, or holidays when required.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Analytics, Operations, or a related field preferred; an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in transportation routing, transportation planning, dispatch, logistics, distribution operations, or transportation management systems required.
• Hands-on experience with a Transportation Management System or route-optimization platform required; experience with Manhattan Active Transportation Management, Manhattan Modeler, PCS, AS400-NTS, Samsara, Omnitracs, or similar platforms is preferred. Experience supporting food distribution, a private or dedicated fleet, multi-Distribution Center planning, or centralized transportation operations is also preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.