Carrier Sales Manager

About Ascent

Ascent Global Logistics, headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, is a leading global provider of expedited, time-critical logistics solutions and other direct transportation services. The company connects customers to its extensive carrier network, internal ground fleet and airline via its proprietary, digital PEAK freight marketplace, which provides robust carrier capacity and transparent pricing, backed by 24/7/365 logistics experts. Ascent’s offerings include air charter and ground expedited solutions as well as truckload, less-than-truckload, global forwarding, brokerage, and managed transportation services. The experienced Ascent team solves customers’ most challenging logistics needs by providing industry-leading service and top-tier satisfaction.

Our Guiding Principles

At the core of Ascent's culture is a strong commitment to excellence, driven by the passion and dedication of every team member. We're equally dedicated to going above and beyond for our customers, ensuring this commitment extends beyond our team and brings exceptional value to those we serve. We aim for perfect execution in everything we do and ‘play hard’ by creating an environment where tasks are performed with a can-do attitude from start to finish. We ‘play smart’ by delivering on our commitments in an honest, fair and ethical manner. We treat every person with whom we interface with the utmost dignity and respect. We understand that our teammates are our most valuable assets, so we ‘play together’ by making every effort to provide a professional and enjoyable experience, enabling careers to flourish and personal growth to be achieved.

What You’ll Do

As a Manager in the Carrier Sales (CS) function, you play a critical role in leading your team in executing business for our customers.  You will be responsible for meeting key performance indicators (KPIs), developing your direct report CS Representatives, and partnering with Account Management and Customer Care Managers to ensure customer satisfaction. 

• Manage the daily workload/outputs of all CS direct reports ensuring job responsibilities are met, and Ascent processes are followed through an expert understanding and management of the CS job description.

• Act as the primary escalation customer facing Ascent leader to support CS Representatives when problems arise, including internal communication to team members and leadership when there is a problem requiring intervention.

• Using the dashboards and other reports, ensure target metrics are attained and activities for corrective action are identified and in place where there are variances to metric attainment.  Act as the primary support person for the Director to coordinate, report, analyze all performance to metrics at the individual CS Representative level. 

• Based on active observation and feedback from the Team Lead, identify key developmental objectives for each CS Representative, and manage a plan to ensure developmental progress. 

• Work collaboratively across the brokerage operation with Account Managers, and Customer Care Representatives to support the company’s initiatives and the customer’s requirements while growing relationships with carriers.

• Act as the professional representative of Ascent facing the carrier and customer and ensuring daily activities are strengthening the carrier relationships to meet their current business needs and Ascent’s goals.   This includes expert knowledge of the carrier’s capabilities and requirements and how we incorporate those with accurate data and process in the TMS.

• Cover all loads available within the team, and across teams as requested, using the Ascent quoting process and leveraging all available tools. 

• Understand how individual performance metrics and KPI’s impact the performance of the overall organization.

• Resolve carrier issues and recommend corrective and preventative actions to improve overall service to both internal and external stakeholders.

• Maintain and update carrier profiles, including lane preferences and fleet characteristics.

• Remain current on all industry trends.

• Participate in proactive team efforts, including cross training and process improvement recommendations to achieve the team’s revenue, gross margin and overall production goals.

• Demonstrate Ascent’s Guiding Principles of Play Hard, Play Smart, Play Together and Take EXTREME OWNERSHIP of all issues and opportunities that intersect with your customers.

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years customer facing account management/customer service/brokerage operations experience

• 3+ years managing customer facing employees preferred

• Knowledge and experience managing TL, LTL, and/or other transportation modes

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

• Self-motivated work style while fostering a team environment

• The ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a sense of urgency

• Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills with experience identifying and resolving problems

• Ability to establish priorities and manage multiple activities to meet deadlines

• Ability to manage projects as assigned by supervisor or manager

• Strong interpersonal skills including tact, diplomacy, and flexibility to work effectively with carriers, management, various departments, and customers

Ascent’s Competitive Benefits

• 401(k) and employer matching

• Life Insurance

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Short- & Long-Term Disability

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Wellness Program

• Paid Holidays

• Employee Recognition Programs

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Overtime, Differential & Bonus Pay