Distribution Fleet Manager

Hawkins, Inc. is a trusted and well-known leader in the chemical industry for over 80 years. We have opportunities for motivated hard workers to learn and develop a career with our Water Treatment business segment. Our route sales/delivery approach to supplying products and equipment to our customers in 27+ states ensures superb customer service and support. Our customers include water and wastewater treatment systems, municipal and commercial swimming pools, industrial process and wastewater facilities, and industries like oil/gas and agricultural farmers/growers.

Learn more about us at www.hawkinsinc.com (NASDAQ: HWKN).

ABOUT THE JOB

We have an exciting opportunity for a Distribution Fleet Manager to join our team.

This position is responsible for supervising a team of drivers, creating schedules and dispatching trucks to provide timely and efficient delivery of products to customers. This role is the first point of contact for customers, customer service and sales regarding deliveries. Responsible for driver compliance and full range of supervisory administration. (Selecting, developing, and coaching talent, managing PTO requests and approving timecards.) This role may be required to have regular customer contact, make deliveries, and review delivery procedures.

Coordinates local fleet maintenance to ensure safety and availability to meet delivery schedules. Manages driver compliance with all DOT, state, local, and company regulations. Monitors Samsara, safety, and DOT metrics. Tracks driver assignments, delivery time, and other transportation data in a computer database.

Responsibilities

• Team Leadership
  
  
  
  • Lead and manage the routing process to ensure efficient daily routes.
  • Supervise daily driver operations, including dispatching and communication.
  • Proactively manage driver performance, attendance, PTO, and route completion.
  • Address delivery issues or customer concerns.
  • Manage driver compliance with safety protocols, company policies, and Dot Regulations.
  • Partner with Sales, warehouse, and customer service teams to resolve delivery challenges.
  • Lead, train and mentor team members to ensure continuous improvement and professional development.
  • Provide backup coverage for all transportation functions as needed.
  • May be required to visit customer sites, deliver chemicals, and review delivery procedures.
  
  
  
  

• Shipment Coordination
  
  
  
  • Dispatch trucks to provide timely and efficient delivery of product.
  • Maintains contact with drivers to communicate updates, delays, or special instructions and relay delivery status to customers.
  • Creates and coordinates delivery schedules for drivers and vehicles to ensure delivery of freight to destinations in a timely and efficient manner.
  • Ensure proper fleet size and characteristics to service our customers most effectively with minimal miles driven, fuel usage, weight tolerances and customer constraints.
  • Plan and schedule distribution services including shipping and delivery to ensure customer requirements are met in an efficient manner.
  • Manages fleet maintenance to ensure safety and cost effectiveness.
  
  
  
  
• Customer Service
  
  
  
  • Ensure customer requirements regarding pick-up time, delivery dates are achieved or offer suitable alternatives.
  • Maintain courteous and productive relationships with internal and external customers.
  • Promote a positive teamwork environment between departments and among employees.
  • Respond quickly to changes in priorities as needed for a growing business. Strong project management skills are required to conduct needs analysis, form strategies, and align expectations for internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
  
  
  
  
• Process Improvement
  
  
  
  • Resolve freight related problems both internal to Hawkins and with the carrier base (root cause and corrective action) to increase customer satisfaction and improve efficiency.
  • Evaluate transfer loads and other delivery methods.
  • Assist internal partners in load building to improve the overall use of Hawkins systems and other tools.
  • Assist in the coordination of repairs to equipment used by Hawkins' drivers.
  
  
  
  
• Account Reconciliation and Reporting
  
  
  
  • Work closely with IT to ensure that all freight accruals are accurate, work with accounting to ensure any variances are managed in a timely manner.
  • Manage the vendor holds, and the accruals that require resolution, to reduce the overall number of invoice match issues.
  • File claims with the carrier base to ensure accuracy and correct payments.
  • Handling of the daily exception reports for timeliness and accuracy.
  
  
  
  
• Software Maintenance
  
  
  
  • Maintain routes, rates, and primary carrier invoice upload.
  • Work with ELD reporting and accuracy.
  • Pull repair and maintenance data as needed
  
  
  
  
• Carrier Relationships Management
  
  
  
  • Source carriers' capacity by working with current and potential providers.
  • Build and maintain relationships with freight carriers to ensure customer satisfaction.
  • Perform other miscellaneous related duties, as needed.
  
  
  
  

ABOUT YOU

• High school diploma.
• Minimum of 7 years of related experience in transportation required. Specialty chemical, food, and/or pharmaceutical experience strongly preferred
• 2+ years of dispatch, distribution, logistics, supply chain or related field.
• 2+ years of supervisor experience.
• Ability to earn and maintain a CDL Hazmat, airbrake, and Tanker endorsements, and make deliveries.
• Demonstrated understanding of government regulations (e.g., DOT, OSHA, HazMat, etc.)
• Familiarity with LTL, Bulk and Van transportation
• Proficiency with computers (MS office) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) software needed for success.
• Proven ability to organize and prioritize tasks, work collaboratively in a cross-functional environment, and ensure timely completion necessary.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.
• Proven ability to work well independently and as a team.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Expected Compensation: $95,000-$105,000 + 10% bonus eligibility

Hawkins offers eligible employees and their dependents comprehensive benefits, which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, LTD/STD and more.Other benefits for eligible employees include 401(k) match, Employee Stock Purchase program (ESPP), paid time off, and paid holidays.

For more information on Hawkins benefits, visit: https://www.hawkinsinc.com/careers/benefits/

Ref. 2026-085

All applications must be received online. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by law. Hawkins is a Drug Free workplace.