Transportation Manager Jobs in Illinois
Transportation Manager jobs in Illinois are in active demand, concentrated in freight and logistics, third-party logistics providers, retail distribution, and food and beverage supply chains, with openings from entry-level dispatch supervisors through senior director roles. Chicago, Joliet, and Elgin are the primary hiring centers, anchored by major employers such as U.S. Foods, United Parcel Service, and Walmart Supply Chain operations throughout the region. The most sought-after specialties are fleet operations management, intermodal logistics coordination, and last-mile distribution oversight. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 54+ Transportation Manager jobs
Job Responsibilities:
- Manages the selection, performance and measurement of carriers.
- Negotiates freight rates and services.
- Highly analytical.
- Administration of contracts, rate tariffs, operating authority, certificates of insurance, SCAC code confirmation, etc.
- Manages route guides, ensuring carriers are selected with the appropriate capacity and service levels while achieving budget goals.
- Works closely with the TMS provider ensuring reports and data are accurate and providing value to drive the business forward.
- Oversees and administering the carrier claim process.
- Manages the carrier freight payment and audit process.
- Manages carrier compliance, cost and strategy.
- Develops, audit and oversee plant shipping policy.
- Supervises fleet relationships.
- Manages logistics 3PL relationships.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree/major in supply chain, logistics, transportation or business.
- 7 - 12 years’ experience in transportation operations / logistics or transportation procurement (analyst moved up to manager).
- Experience with carrier negotiations, agreements and tariffs.
- Knowledge of all modes of transportation, especially TL, IMDL, LTL and fleet.
- Willing to travel up to 20% of the time for business purposes (US and Canada).
- Experience with TMS and 3PL solutions.
- Knowledge of DOT, IATA, IMDG code, 49 CFR, US Census Bureau, Customer and other governmental regulations.
- Microsoft Office Suite expertise in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Mauser Packaging Solutions offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, paid time off, and other competitive benefits.
Job Responsibilities:
- Manages the selection, performance and measurement of carriers.
- Negotiates freight rates and services.
- Highly analytical.
- Administration of contracts, rate tariffs, operating authority, certificates of insurance, SCAC code confirmation, etc.
- Manages route guides, ensuring carriers are selected with the appropriate capacity and service levels while achieving budget goals.
- Works closely with the TMS provider ensuring reports and data are accurate and providing value to drive the business forward.
- Oversees and administering the carrier claim process.
- Manages the carrier freight payment and audit process.
- Manages carrier compliance, cost and strategy.
- Develops, audit and oversee plant shipping policy.
- Supervises fleet relationships.
- Manages logistics 3PL relationships.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree/major in supply chain, logistics, transportation or business.
- 7 - 12 years’ experience in transportation operations / logistics or transportation procurement (analyst moved up to manager).
- Experience with carrier negotiations, agreements and tariffs.
- Knowledge of all modes of transportation, especially TL, IMDL, LTL and fleet.
- Willing to travel up to 20% of the time for business purposes (US and Canada).
- Experience with TMS and 3PL solutions.
- Knowledge of DOT, IATA, IMDG code, 49 CFR, US Census Bureau, Customer and other governmental regulations.
- Microsoft Office Suite expertise in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
Mauser Packaging Solutions offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, paid time off, and other competitive benefits.
See All 54 Transportation Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transportation Manager JobsTransportation Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Transportation Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Retail
- Trucking
- Food & Beverage
- Chemicals & Materials
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in transportation manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, business, or a closely related field
- Three or more years of experience managing transportation operations or a logistics team
- Demonstrated proficiency with transportation management systems such as Oracle TMS or MercuryGate
- Knowledge of DOT regulations, FMCSA compliance requirements, and carrier safety standards
- Experience developing carrier relationships, negotiating freight contracts, and managing budgets
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret routing data and reduce transportation costs
Transportation Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a transportation manager in Illinois?
Most transportation managers in Illinois enter the role through a combination of a bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, or business administration and progressive experience in freight, warehousing, or operations. There is no state-issued license specific to transportation managers in Illinois, but employers consistently prefer candidates who hold a Certified Transportation Professional designation or equivalent supply chain credential. Building experience as a logistics coordinator or dispatcher at one of Illinois's many distribution centers is the most common path upward.
How much do transportation managers make in Illinois?
Transportation managers in Illinois earn a median of about $120,250 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $68,310 for the lowest 10% to over $207,570 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire transportation managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring transportation managers in Illinois right now include Farnsworth, Chastain & Associates, and Penske Truck Leasing, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's dense network of distribution centers, intermodal rail yards, and regional carrier hubs means hiring activity remains consistent throughout the year, not just in peak seasons.
Which Illinois cities have the most transportation manager jobs?
Chicago, Rockford, and Naperville have the most transportation manager openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates due to its role as a national freight hub with major intermodal yards and corporate logistics headquarters, while Joliet and Elgin attract significant hiring from large distribution centers and third-party logistics providers located along the I-80 and I-90 corridors.
Are there remote transportation manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Transportation management is largely an on-site role requiring direct oversight of drivers, dock operations, and carrier coordination, which limits remote arrangements. About 72% of transportation manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve network planning, carrier procurement, or analytics rather than day-to-day fleet supervision.
How can I get hired as a transportation manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is starting as a logistics coordinator, dispatcher, or operations associate at one of Illinois's large distribution or third-party logistics employers, where internal promotion into management is common. Companies such as U.S. Foods and large retail distribution centers in the Joliet and Elgin corridors regularly hire associates into rotational or training roles that build toward management. Earning a Certified Transportation Professional credential or completing a supply chain certificate program at an Illinois community college strengthens a candidate's profile considerably.
Where can I find and apply to transportation manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to transportation manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across freight, distribution, retail, and logistics sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to employers without needing to create a profile or go through a third party.
See All 54 Transportation Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Transportation Manager Jobs