Transportation Clerk

Job Summary

The Traffic Clerk I supports daily traffic and transportation operations at the Des Plaines distribution center, helping ensure outbound freight moves accurately and on schedule. This role serves as a key point of contact on the dock floor, checking in drivers, verifying paperwork, and communicating load-readiness to the team. The Traffic Clerk I also provides administrative and operational support to the Transportation team, including shipment tracking, documentation, and coordination with the 4PL transportation partner, RXO, to help meet delivery and service goals.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Check in drivers at the dock window, collect and verify paperwork, and communicate load-readiness to the dock team.
• Walk the floor and dock regularly to check trailers, confirm load status, and support timely closing/departure of trailers.
• Perform checks and balances / fail-safe reviews to catch errors before trailers close, and send reminders to keep loading on schedule.
• Track shipments and provide proactive status updates to internal stakeholders and customers.
• Communicate and coordinate with the 4PL (third-party logistics) transportation team, RXO, on routing and shipment needs.
• Enter and monitor routing information in TMS (RXO) following established procedures.
• Log and route OSD (Over, Short, Damaged) claims to the appropriate carrier or team for resolution.
• Ensure documentation accuracy, including BOL, pallet counts, and packing slips.
• Coordinate dock scheduling to support production and outbound shipping priorities.
• Maintain adequate supply of shipping materials, including pallets, labels, and packaging.
• Support shipment consolidation efforts to help reduce delivery frequency and improve customer experience.
• Assist with day-to-day communication between shifts, dock teams, and Transportation leadership.

Key Metrics 

• On-Time Delivery (OTD)
• Documentation Accuracy
• Dock Throughput
• Shipment Consolidation Support

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 0–2 years of experience in transportation, logistics, or distribution center operations preferred.
• Prior customer service experience preferred.
• Familiarity with TMS systems a plus (RXO preferred, not required).
• Strong administrative and communication skills; comfortable interfacing directly with drivers and carrier partners.
• Basic computer proficiency, including the ability to print, scan, and fax documents.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

• Regularly walks the warehouse floor and dock area to check trailers and coordinate loading activity.
• Works in a distribution center environment, including exposure to dock conditions (temperature variation, noise, vehicle traffic).
• Frequent standing, walking, and movement between the dock window and office/admin areas.

Travel Requirements