logistics specialist

Logistics Specialist Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent Location: In-Office, Bolton, ON Compensation: $80,000 Annually About Us At Dakeryn, we are proud to be one of Canada?s leading lumber wholesale and distribution companies. Since 1992, we?ve built a reputation based on reliability, strong supplier relationships, and a commitment to customer service. With multiple divisions serving customers across the globe, we provide high-quality lumber products and value-added solutions to meet evolving market needs. Position Summary This is an advanced role within our logistics team, responsible for the end-to-end coordination and cost-effective movement of lumber across our Eastern Canadian and American carrier network. The Logistics Specialist negotiates freight rates, manages key carrier relationships, recommends consolidation and multi-drop strategy, and acts as a mentor, resource, and escalation point for our logistics operations. We're looking for someone with the experience and sound judgment to make confident, timely decisions from day one. A strong grasp of transportation modes, truck sizing, and rate negotiation in the building materials space is essential, along with a genuine commitment to collaboration and team success. *Key Responsibilities * * Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure strategic alignment, seamless communication, and timely execution. * Accountable for truck booking and load prioritization, balancing customer urgency, cost-efficiency, and truck size across preferred carriers; escalating uncertainties to management. * Serve as primary point of contact linking our sales team, mills, reloads, and carriers for smooth and on-time delivery of shipments. * Handle rush loads and time-sensitive shipments, adjusting schedules and communicating proactively with the sales team, reloads, and carriers. * Negotiate freight rates and manage relationships with carrier partners across multiple modes (FTL, LTL, intermodal, hot shot). * Responsible for consolidation of multi-drop and LTL shipments to optimize routing and cost. * Conduct market research, communicate findings and implications, and recommend courses of action. * Provide freight rate quotes and lane recommendations to the sales team, including alternative transportation options. * Oversee trans-border shipment documentation and ensure compliance with cross-border shipping requirements. * Trace shipments and provide updates to teams; act as the escalation point for carrier performance issues and service disruptions. * Source new transportation partners, conduct due diligence and initiate vendor onboarding, and evaluate performance. * Maintain up-to-date schedules and rate records, issue booking confirmations, bills of lading, and other relevant shipping documents; support other administrative accuracy across the logistics function. * Provide mentorship to teams, lead and participate in cross-training efforts, and contribute to process improvements. Qualifications * 5+ years of progressive logistics, transportation, or supply chain coordination experience in the lumber or building materials industry. * Proven experience negotiating freight rates and managing carrier relationships across multiple modes (FTL, LTL, hot shot, intermodal, multi-pick/multi-drop). * Strong understanding of truck sizing, routing, and freight cost drivers. * Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to effectively prioritize and complete tasks in a fast-paced environment. * Critical thinking and problem-solving dexterity; confident in assessing challenges, evaluating options, and actioning solutions. * Proactive, professional, and effective communication skills across various channels both internally and externally, with a focus on team collaboration and relationship management. * Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP/TMS systems; experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools is an asset. * Post-secondary education in supply chai