Router

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Router is responsible for scheduling, planning, and routing orders to sites utilizing available routing tools to develop route plans according to established scheduling and routing guidelines. This role works closely with Transportation Supervisors and other Houston Food Bank personnel on route scheduling, planning, and assigning/allocating available resources (drivers, equipment, contract carriers, etc.) to ensure routing meets customer requirements. This position, with the leadership team, proactively works on routing projects and running “What If” scenarios to drive productivity, efficiency, and expense/cost control within the service area. 

Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly). 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Utilizes available dynamic logistics and routing technology to develop and manage route plans and daily maintenance of routing data based on the destination, shipment size, available fleet vehicles, and customer time requirements as well as other customer needs for each delivery address. 
2. Develops the most cost-effective and efficient routes while achieving service requirements.
3. Verifies equipment and vehicle “readiness” with Logistics Management. 
4. Sets up daily equipment and vehicle assignments for drivers. 
5. Oversees routes and reroutes based on feedback from the Transportation team. 
6. Works with Transportation Management on routing projects and running “What If” scenarios to drive productivity and efficiency within the service area. 
7. Verifies orders, including re-deliveries to be routed daily with all departments (i.e., Program Services, Brighter Bites, School Market, Teacher’s Aid, Kids’ Café) to ensure that all orders are entered into the system. 
8. Provides timely reports to Transportation Management.
9. Acts proactively in researching advancements in routing and technology to continuously improve routing processes and fleet efficiency.
10. Proactively communicates all issues that impact service to our customers to Transportation Leadership.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma from an accredited school or general education development (GED) certificate required
• 1 to 3 years of experience within the distribution and/or transportation industry
• Experience using routing and scheduling software and GPS systems preferred
• Experience in planning and managing route activity preferred

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

• Knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations as it pertains to commercial drivers’ hours of service and truck size/weight configurations 
• Knowledge of the distribution and transportation industry
• Advance knowledge of Transportation Management System and Warehouse Management system software 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to work with a diverse population
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to accurately prepare and maintain files, reports, and records
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions
• Strong customer service skills and willingness to assist others
• Ability to work on and adapt to multiple tasks with attention to detail and accuracy while adhering to deadlines in a high-energy, fast-paced environment
• Able to work cooperatively and coordinate well with other departments, partners, and neighbors
• Strong time-management skills, self-starter, self-motivated
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Familiarity with service area required to coordinate driver’s deliveries and pick-ups 
• Ability to work a flexible schedule in order to complete work (i.e., may require changes in starting times and occasional weekend work) 

COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB policies.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

COMPETENCIES:

Action-Oriented / Customer Focus / Drives for Results / Priority Setting / Managerial Courage / Interpersonal Savvy / Creativity / Standing Alone / Time Management / Decision Quality / Self-development / Patience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday; and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the office and around the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee must frequently lift 10 pounds. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse. The employee is occasionally required to travel to other sites for business.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While the job is generally performed in an enclosed office environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to freezers, enclosed and/or tight spaces, wet and/or humid conditions, areas in which moving mechanical parts, fumes, toxic or caustic chemicals are present, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be exposed to loud/elevated noises throughout the workday.

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Minimal travel may be required for this position (up to 10% on a domestic basis).

This role supports hours of operations at the Houston Food Bank facilities, as necessary, and may require flexibility (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).

*Is legally able to work in the United States.