Transportation Clerk

Job Summary

The Traffic Clerk Lead is responsible for supporting daily transportation execution across the distribution center network. This role serves as a point of contact for traffic-related processes, assists with prioritizing daily workload, supports issue resolution, and helps ensure accurate documentation, timely communication, and compliance with company procedures. The Traffic Clerk Lead drives Acuity’s “Completed Order” strategy by improving shipment consolidation, visibility, and delivery performance, while supporting alignment with EarthLIGHT sustainability goals through reduced shipments, fuel usage, and packaging. This role acts as an escalation lead for transportation issues and supports Transportation Management System (TMS/RXO) optimization. The Traffic Clerk Lead provides process guidance and operational support to team members but does not have direct supervisory responsibility for associates, including hiring, corrective action, performance management, or scheduling ownership.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Lead daily traffic clerk activities by helping prioritize workload, coordinate shipment flow, and support timely completion of transportation-related tasks.
• Lead traffic and transportation execution across the distribution center network by supporting shipment flow, carrier coordination, and transportation issue resolution.
• Drive Acuity’s “Completed Order” strategy by improving shipment consolidation, shipment visibility, delivery performance, and customer experience through reduced delivery frequency where appropriate.
• Ensure alignment with EarthLIGHT sustainability goals by supporting reduced shipments, fuel usage, and packaging waste through improved transportation planning and consolidation.
• Oversee shipment tracking and proactive communication to internal stakeholders, carriers, and customer-facing teams regarding shipment status, delays, and delivery expectations.
• Execute and optimize routing through the Transportation Management System (TMS/RXO) to improve cost, service, delivery efficiency, and network visibility.
• Lead over, short, and damaged (OSD) resolution and claims management with carriers, including research, documentation, follow-up, and escalation as needed.
• Ensure full documentation compliance, including bill of lading accuracy, pallet counts, packing slips, freight documentation, and required shipment records.
• Partner with Distribution Requirements Planning (DRP), Transportation, and operations teams to support network flow, inventory positioning, and outbound execution priorities.
• Coordinate internal dock scheduling to align with production schedules, outbound priorities, carrier availability, and customer delivery expectations.
• Support material supply management for transportation and shipping execution, including pallets, labels, packaging materials, and related supplies.
• Lead meeting cadence for daily huddles, KPI reviews, and cross-functional alignment discussions related to transportation execution and shipment performance.
• Coordinate customer visits, leadership engagements, operational events, and related site activities in partnership with appropriate stakeholders.
• Support engagement planning, coordination, and maintenance for business-related entertainment, dining, and visitor experience activities, in accordance with company policies.
• Prepare, manage, and maintain shipping documentation, including bills of lading, freight invoices, shipment records, and other required transportation paperwork.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for carriers, drivers, freight providers, internal teams, and customer service regarding shipment status, pickup and delivery coordination, and transportation issues.
• Support problem resolution by researching shipment delays, damages, shortages, missing items, or documentation discrepancies and escalating issues to leadership as appropriate.
• Provide process guidance to traffic clerks and other team members on standard work, documentation requirements, system usage, and shipment coordination practices.
• Monitor shipment activity, verify shipment accuracy, and help identify opportunities to improve traffic processes, communication flow, and documentation accuracy.
• Ensure compliance with company shipping procedures, safety expectations, environmental requirements, SOX controls, and applicable transportation regulations.
• Assist with training support for new or existing team members by explaining standard processes, answering procedural questions, and reinforcing consistent work practices.
• Use shipping, warehouse, and transportation systems to track shipments, update records, research issues, and maintain accurate operational data.

Skills and Minimum Experience Required

• Bachelor’s degree desired but not required (preferably in Supply Chain Management, Finance, or Lean Principles) or equivalent work experience desired.
• Experience in warehouse operations is a plus. 

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate daily work, support process improvements, and communicate operational priorities in a distribution or warehouse environment.
• Ability to provide peer guidance, training support, and process direction without direct supervisory authority.

• Intermediate computer skills, including proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present data-driven insights effectively. 

• Experience supporting technology-driven process improvements, shipment tracking, reporting, or workflow efficiency initiatives.

Skills:

• Excel: To track shipments, inventory, create spreadsheets, and analyze data.
• Word: For generating reports, memos, and other documentation.
• Outlook: Proficiency in using email for clients and managing communication with internal teams and external vendors.
• Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, etc.
• Familiarity with industry-specific software used for route planning, shipment tracking, and scheduling, such as Oracle, or other similar systems.