Position Title: Transportation Routing & Services Coordinator
Supported by: Transportation Manager
FLSA Status: Hourly Full-time; Non-Exempt
Our Story:
Food Bank for the Heartland has connected our communities with food, resources, and hope since 1981. The fight against hunger is our ongoing, collaborative effort. We work with individuals, organizations, food manufacturers and distributors, grocery stores, the USDA, and Feeding America to procure food and purchase food to supplement donations. Through the collective power of our leadership, employees, partners, volunteers, and donors, we can reach more communities, serve more people, and address food insecurity more directly and effectively. As new needs arise, we are ready.
Our Philosophy: Every service we provide, program we offer, and decision we make is rooted in our core Mission, Vision, and Values.
In Short:
The Transportation Routing & Services Coordinator is a hands-on, service-focused member of the Transportation team. This is not a traditional desk-based dispatch position. The role combines daily route planning, driver support, customer-service problem solving, transportation documentation, and relief driving to help food move safely and reliably across Food Bank for the Heartland’s 93-county service area.
Serving as a primary connection point among drivers, Network Relations, Food Sourcing, and Distribution Center staff, this position coordinates changing schedules, communicates delivery and pickup expectations, resolves day-of-service issues, and keeps all parties informed. The coordinator must be comfortable making routing decisions, working directly with people, and stepping into a commercial vehicle when operational needs require driving support.
Success in this role requires strong customer service, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the flexibility to move between office coordination, warehouse and dock activity, and driving responsibilities throughout the workweek
Your Mission:
Routing, Scheduling & Daily Transportation Coordination - Build and adjust daily delivery and pickup routes based on partner and donor requirements, driver availability, vehicle capacity, product needs, delivery windows, weather, and operational priorities.
- Serve as a relief driver during high-volume periods, staff absences, weather disruptions, emergencies, or other operational needs. The position must be able and willing to operate at least a box truck and complete all assigned driver responsibilities safely.
- Plan transportation support for special events, large donor pickups, volunteer surge days, emergency response, and other non-routine needs.
- Monitor route progress throughout the day, respond to schedule changes or service disruptions, and coordinate practical solutions with drivers, CSRs, and other internal teams.
Compliance, Documentation & Recordkeeping - Review completed daily manifests, mileage logs, route sheets, ELD entries, and DVIRs to ensure accuracy, regulatory compliance, and appropriate documentation of vehicle conditions.
- Identify documentation discrepancies, safety concerns, service failures, or other irregularities; resolve items within the role’s authority and promptly escalate significant concerns to the Transportation Manager.
- Review and verify all Department of Transportation (DOT)-regulated manifests and required paperwork, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
- Maintain or assist with transportation and fleet performance measures, including mileage, fuel usage, route efficiency, fleet utilization, on-time service, and delivery or pickup issues.
- Update routing, service, and driver-performance dashboards or tracking tools as assigned.
- Support incident and accident reporting, follow-up documentation, and communication.
- Reinforce expectations for ELD usage, Hours of Service (HOS) compliance, and complete, accurate DVIRs.
- Promote required PPE and safe loading, unloading, dock, and roadside practices.
Fleet Operations & Equipment Oversight - Communicate vehicle maintenance needs, repair timelines, and equipment status updates to the Transportation Manager and Operations Leadership to ensure operational readiness.
- Support safe operation of all fleet vehicles and uphold DOT, OSHA, AIB, USDA, and internal safety standards.
- Support and reinforce complete pre-trip, en route, and post-trip vehicle inspections.
- Assist the Transportation Manager in monitoring fleet-tracking data for route adherence, idle time, unsafe speed, and unusual stop duration; communicate concerns appropriately.
- Participate in safety audits and equipment-readiness checks as assigned.
Driver, CSR, Partner & Donor Service - Serve as a responsive customer-service contact for drivers, Network Relations, Food Sourcing, and Distribution Center staff regarding delivery schedules, pickups, delays, access requirements, product discrepancies, and other transportation needs.
- Build strong working relationships through professional, respectful, and solution-oriented communication. Confirm expectations, provide timely updates, and follow issues through resolution.
- Proactively communicate route delays, vehicle issues, safety concerns, weather disruptions, and changes that may affect service.
- Coordinate delivery windows, donor loading requirements, site access instructions, special handling needs, and partner expectations so drivers and receiving locations are prepared.
Operational Support, Training & Continuous Improvement - Assist FBFH drivers with vehicle loading and unloading, pallet movement, paperwork, and other operational tasks needed to complete routes safely and efficiently.
- Promote and uphold Food Bank for the Heartland’s mission, values, and community-centered approach in all interactions with agency partners, employees, donors, volunteers, community members, and coworkers.
- Support transportation priorities and other assigned activities to maintain a responsive, service-oriented department.
- Assist other departments with operational needs such as staging, special projects, and time-sensitive food movement.
- Support onboarding and field training for new drivers, including route familiarization, service expectations, safety practices, and documentation requirements.
- Participate in departmental, cross-functional, and organization-wide continuous-improvement initiatives.
- Perform other duties within the position’s scope as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Demonstrated commitment to Food Bank for the Heartland’s mission, values, and community-focused service model.
- Strong customer-service and communication skills, with the ability to listen, clarify needs, explain decisions, and relay accurate information to drivers, CSRs, partners, donors, and internal teams.
- Ability to build and adjust efficient routes while balancing delivery windows, vehicle capacity, driver availability, road conditions, service priorities, and unexpected changes.
- Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment, including the ability to remain calm, make timely decisions, and follow issues through resolution in a fast-moving environment.
- Exceptional organization and attention to detail, with the ability to manage several routes, communications, and documentation requirements at the same time.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to learn routing, fleet-tracking, ELD, handheld scanning, and other transportation systems.
- Ability and willingness to safely operate FBFH fleet vehicles as an essential part of the role and comply with DOT, OSHA, and internal safety requirements.
- Forklift, pallet jack, and material-handling experience preferred; willingness and ability to complete required certifications.
- Knowledge of transportation, routing, freight, Bills of Lading, delivery documentation, and warehouse or dock operations strongly preferred.
- Ability to routinely lift, move, or maneuver up to 50 lbs. and work in warehouse and outdoor loading environments.
- Ability to build collaborative relationships across Transportation, Network Relations, Distribution, Food Sourcing, and other stakeholders.
- Ability to interpret and accurately complete route manifests, DOT-regulated documentation, ELD logs, DVIRs, and related records.
- Commitment to safety, including following all FBFH, DOT, OSHA, and AIB guidelines and reporting concerns promptly.
Your Story: - High School Diploma or GED required.
- 2 years’ experience in transportation, logistics, distribution, warehouse operations, or a related field is required.
- A valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record is required.
- Ability to obtain or maintain applicable DOT medical certification is required.
- CDL Class B preferred; CDL Class A strongly preferred.
About The Team:
Everyone at Food Bank for the Heartland, from our administrative staff and warehouse employees to our team members working in partnership in the various community locations, shares a common vision: to help eliminate hunger in our service area—one initiative, program, and thoughtful decision at a time. Our culture is committed to welcoming you to our table, supporting your passion and drive, and focusing on diversity, growth, and community involvement.
This role is vital to the Food Bank for the Heartland’s Transportation Team and is supported by our Transportation Manager.
We provide an environment to help you succeed.
Food Bank for the Heartland is an equal-opportunity employer, and we’re excited to work with talented and empathetic people of all identities. As required by law and in line with our commitment to diversity, inclusion, belonging, and equity, FBFH does not discriminate based on someone’s identity in any aspect of hiring or employment. Our code of conduct provides a beacon for the kind of company we strive to be, and we celebrate our differences. FBFH will consider all qualified applicants.
FBFH is committed to inclusion. As part of this commitment, FBFH welcomes applications from individuals with disabilities and will work to provide reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodations are needed to participate in the job application or interview process, don't hesitate to get in touch with adurr@foodbankheartland.org
Physical Demands
The physical demands of this role reflect the fast-paced and hands-on nature of Food Bank for the Heartland’s Transportation operations. The position requires the ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and move products throughout the warehouse and loading environments. Team members must be able to routinely lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds, safely operate material-handling equipment, climb in and out of commercial vehicles, and work in varying temperatures, including outdoor docks and refrigerated areas. This role also requires sufficient mobility, coordination, and stamina to support daily driving, pre-trip inspections, freight coordination, and refueling[MB1] driver duties.
We support your well-being.
Food Bank for the Heartland is committed to supporting your whole well-being through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical PPO coverage with 100% mental health benefits, dental and vision insurance, FSAs, disability coverage, and life insurance options. We offer a Simple IRA with a 3% employer match, paid time off, holidays, bereavement leave, and paid jury duty, along with flexible schedules for applicable roles. Our team also benefits from EAP services, preventive care incentives, and a supportive, inclusive culture grounded in DEI, recognition programs, career development pathways, and meaningful opportunities for community engagement and volunteerism.
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