Manager Trainee
The Manager Trainee at Confidential Client is responsible for learning to manage a small fleet of drivers and non-traditional shifts, ensuring safe and timely freight movement while maintaining compliance with DOT regulations. This role involves developing skills in driver and fleet management, customer service, operational and financial reporting, and safety enforcement to support efficient and profitable supply chain operations.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Logistics & Warehouse.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
Confidential client in the Logistics & Warehouse industry is hiring a Manager Trainee in Chicago, IL. This entry-level management role is a hands-on training position to learn fleet and driver management, DOT compliance, load planning/routing, reporting, and operational leadership. The role includes cross-functional work with drivers, maintenance, customers, and internal teams to ensure safe, on-time freight movement.
What You’ll Do
- Learn to manage a small driver roster and/or non-traditional shifts (including nights and weekends)
- Ensure safe, timely movement of freight through load assignment, routing, monitoring, and exception handling
- Train and support drivers and staff, including onboarding, orientation, and coaching
- Learn to enforce DOT and company safety/compliance requirements and conduct safety briefings and driver communications
- Assist with payroll, budgeting (Net-Revenue), invoicing, and operational or financial reporting
- Support yard operations: inspect equipment, coordinate preventative maintenance and repairs
- Work with customers and carriers to resolve service issues and optimize routing and productivity
- Collect and analyze key performance indicators; make recommendations for continuous improvement
- Cover for absent personnel and participate in special projects that improve fleet operations and profitability
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Transportation/Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field OR High School Diploma/GED plus 1 year of relevant experience (management, transportation/logistics, business administration, account management) or equivalent military experience
- Willingness to work across multiple shifts including nights and weekends when needed
- Willingness to travel to account, customer, and company event locations when applicable
- Willingness to regionally relocate based on account assignment
- This position is not eligible for employment-based sponsorship
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience managing a team or supervising employees
- Strong decision-making and analytical skills
- Ability to adapt to changing environments and priorities
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build professional relationships with drivers, vendors, and customers
- Strong communication skills across verbal and written channels
- Experience with operational problem solving and process improvement
Compensation & Benefits
- Expected starting pay range: $52,409 - $63,400 per year (starting pay may vary based on skills, education, experience, and location)
- May be eligible for annual bonus and incentives based on profitability or volumes
- Benefits for full-time employees may include: medical, dental, and vision plans; 401(k) retirement plan; life insurance; short- and long-term disability; paid time off (vacation & sick); paid parental leave; and paid holidays (subject to eligibility)
- Factors that may affect starting pay within the posted range include skill set, education, experience, and geography
Location & Schedule
- Job location: Chicago, IL
- Schedule: may include nights, weekends, and on-call responsibilities depending on account needs
- Travel: travel to account/customer/company events as required
- Regional relocation may be required based on account assignment
Why Join
This role is a strong opportunity for early-career professionals or those transitioning into transportation and supply chain management to gain practical, on-the-job leadership experience. You will receive structured training, work with cross-functional teams, and build a foundation for advancement within logistics and operations.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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