Carrier Development Specialist

Job Description
Overview

The Freight Broker is responsible for leading the carrier lifecycle for NFI’s Brokerage division, including sourcing, onboarding, negotiating, and managing strategic carrier partnerships to achieve operational, service, and profitability goals. This position exercises independent judgment and discretion in evaluating, selecting, and developing carriers, making commercial and operational decisions that directly impact network capacity, cost management, and customer service delivery. The role reports to the Capacity Manager or Director of Capacity.

Responsibilities

Carrier Development
Exercise independent judgment in researching, analyzing, and selecting carrier
partners aligned with NFI’s procurement standards and strategic objectives.
Approve and onboard carriers, ensuring compliance with NFI’s qualification and
risk requirements, with authority to manage, and offboard carriers that do not
meet standards.
Develop & maintain a pipeline of targeted carriers that fits NFI Brokerage’s ideal
carrier profile and will offer value to our long-term strategy.
Manage carrier mix and capacity allocation to support network optimization and
profitability.
Manage carrier performance by reviewing market trends, performance
analytics/KPI’s, and customer demand forecasts.
Negotiate contractual and spot rates within defined margin and profitability
thresholds.
Meet with carriers to develop their performance based on continuing needs as
well as to better understand and effectuate the synergy with NFI Brokerage.

Carrier Operations

Own daily operational decisions regarding carrier assignments, load coverage
strategies, and margin optimization.
Use data driven insights on lane and rate trends to optimize carrier placement and support customer growth initiatives with sales and account management.
Analyze lane performance, service failures, and carrier scorecards; make recommendations and decisions to enhance service and profitability.
Contribute to Quarterly Business Reviews and performance analyses with key
carriers; support the management of corrective actions as needed.
Identify process improvements and lead operational initiatives that enhance carrier engagement, automation, and efficiency.
Exercise discretion in resolving service, compliance, or performance disputes with carriers and internal teams.
Champion process improvements, automation tools, and continuous learning culture.
Uphold NFI’s service, compliance, and safety standards across all carrier interactions.

Carrier Training

Serve as a subject matter expert and operational advisor to sales, account
management, and operations on capacity strategy and carrier market conditions.
Mentor junior capacity and brokerage staff, setting best practices for carrier
sourcing, negotiation, and relationship management.
Participate in budget planning, capacity forecasting, and margin improvement
strategies for the brokerage division.
Represent NFI Brokerage in carrier and industry events to strengthen network
partnerships and visibility.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree required (Business, Supply Chain, or related field preferred).
3–5 years of experience in transportation brokerage, carrier management, or logistics operations, preferred working with domestic truckload providers.
Demonstrated experience in rate negotiation, margin management, and carrier
sourcing strategy.
Individual commitment towards sharpening existing or acquiring new skills as required by demands of the business or customers.
Market knowledge of truckload lanes and rates
Excellent customer relationship building and account management skills
Strong analytical, financial acumen, and decision-making skills.
Proficient in TMS, Excel, and analytics/reporting tools used in brokerage services
Excellent communication, relationship management, and problem-solving