Load Coverage Specialist

Description

Summary: This role involves optimizing truck utilization by planning and securing backhaul freight, focusing on improving margins and negotiating competitive rates. Highlights: 1. Optimize truck utilization and maximize profitability 2. Negotiate competitive freight rates 3. Build and maintain relationships with shippers, brokers, and partners Zelh is a fast\-growing, passionate outsourcing company. Our mission is to be the most reliable company by offering and maintaining consistently high\-quality services. We achieve the mission by fostering long\-term relationships with customers, employees, and vendors. Personal attention, timely communication, and respect for all people are the basis of our business philosophy! At this point, Zelh is looking for a **Load Coverage Specialist** for one of our clients, to optimize the utilization of 12\-15 trucks by planning and securing backhaul freight. This role focuses on improving margins, filling trucks efficiently, and negotiating competitive rates with brokers and shippers. This is a **planning and procurement role**, not a dispatching or track\-and\-trace position. #### **Key Responsibilities** * Plan and secure backhaul loads for 12\-15 trucks, typically **two days in advance** * Source capacity through contract freight and open market opportunities * Negotiate competitive freight rates to maximize margins and profitability * Fill empty backhaul capacity to minimize deadhead miles and improve asset utilization * Work with contract customers and freight brokers to identify backhaul opportunities * Analyze routes and identify profitable backhaul lanes * Coordinate with dispatch and operations teams to align backhaul planning with truck availability * Use McLeod TMS for load planning, rate management, and coordination * Monitor market rates and adjust pricing strategies to remain competitive * Build and maintain relationships with shippers, brokers, and freight partners * Ensure all backhaul loads align with equipment availability and driver schedules * **3\-5 years of experience** in freight brokerage, load planning, or backhaul coordination * Strong rate negotiation skills with proven ability to improve margins * Experience sourcing freight and building carrier/broker relationships * **McLeod TMS experience preferred** * Strong understanding of freight markets, lanes, and capacity sourcing * Ability to plan proactively and think 2\+ days ahead * Excellent communication and relationship\-building skills * Self\-motivated with strong organizational skills * Data\-driven mindset focused on profitability and efficiency **Working** **conditions**: * Working schedule: 2 shifts: + Mon \- Fri 8 am\-5 pm **EST** + Mon \- Fri 8 am \- 5 PM **CST** * Work mode \- hybrid/remote * Competitive Salary in USD * 10\+ business days of paid time off * Equipment provided * A supportive team * Remote eligibility Join our team and become an integral part of our mission to provide reliable and efficient freight transportation solutions to our customers.