Michael Cowen
Mabank,TX
Summary
Results driven, service-focused transportation management professional with a superb background in logistics management. Highly skilled in operations, logistics, efficiency management, cost reduction, performance improvement, and team building. Excellent communicator with stellar problem-solving skills and critical thinking abilities. Dedicated to continuous improvement through training and development while providing efficient transportation operation, hands-on leadership, and a solid ability to build and lead teams that meet and exceed organizational goals. Detail oriented and organized with a hyper awareness of budget management and cost controls. Highly adept at creating and implementing processes and procedures that enhance business operations and profit maximization.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Transportation Manager
Pallet Logistics Of America
09.2020 - 03.2023
- Responsible for managing execution, direction, and coordination of all transportation operations while managing a $6.6 million annual budget and ensuring KPI's were continuously met monthly/annually.
- Hired, managed, and developed transportation team of 2 supervisors, 2 dispatchers as well as 29 company drivers, 9 independent contractors and any temporary driver labor as business needs dictated.
- Managed all facility and fleet service providers to ensure delivery performance standards and operational practices are in line with contractual agreements and performance benchmarks.
- Responsible for managing lease contracts, purchase and maintenance or repairs of all transportation-related equipment, including 55 tractors and a fleet of 450+ dry van and flatbed trailers.
- Accountable for performing monthly and quarterly financial analysis, reporting and reconciliation related to profit and loss statements for the organization's transportation department.
- Reduced freight costs by estimated $2M annually by implementing an RFP process for all third-party freight vendors and introducing better suited asset providers to company's freight network.
- Collaborated with executives and management teams at all US locations to develop and implement electronic driver tablets for deliveries and pickups to improve availability of real-time data available to customers, vendors and dispatch staff while greatly improving inefficiencies in invoicing procedures, all while reducing the organizations environmental impact.
- Developed, promoted, and maintained a culture of safety by providing training to all transportation management and staff at all locations in collaboration with VP of Safety to ensure all company fleets were complying with all FMCSA and DOT policies and regulations.
- Expanded private fleet's ability to directly impact our P&L by introducing external freight and backhaul opportunities that aligned with organizations current business model, resulting in an estimated $3.2M increase in annual revenue.
- Performed all administrative duties such as payroll, management of the budget, driver counseling, accident reviews and investigations, monthly FMCSA random drug screening, IFTA reporting, insurance claims, UCR/DOT certifications, invoicing and/or creating operational or financial reports.
Transportation Operations Manager
Mohawk Industries
03.2019 - 09.2020
- Managed multiple-site distribution center private-fleet, consisting of over 125 drivers and 8 Supervisors.
- Increased dedicated OTR and Regional fleet size 85% into multiple state locations, resulting in $9M annual reduction in freight costs for the company, while offering improved service to both internal and external customers.
- Reduced local P&D driver labor costs and enhance regional linehaul operation by implementing processes and procedures to ensure efficiency and productivity within the company's private fleet.
- Collaborated with senior planning and distribution teams to offer internal resolution for all supply chain needs between more than 30 domestic and international manufacturing and distribution facilities.
- Reduced driver turnover to 4% in 2019, compared to 14% company-wide, by improving morale and increasing employee engagement, offering relay/dedicated routes and guaranteeing company driver home time and minimum gross income for all company drivers.
- Reduced company's annual freight cost by evaluating the use of third-party carriers based on rates, efficiency, and service, then expanded on dedicated lanes with private fleet.
Wal-Mart Operations Manager
USXpress Enterprises
03.2018 - 03.2019
- Responsible for all management functions of office staff selection, development, discipline, performance reviews and/or terminations during site startup and take over from previous dedicated carrier provider.
- Collaborated with recruiting team members to assist and facilitate driver recruitment, on-boarding and ensuring site was staffed to contractual levels within agreed upon timeframe.
- Monitored and drove site-level KPI's to ensure profitable and sustainable operation through staff training, mentoring and development plan implementation for each logistics staff member and driver.
- Operated closely with Transportation Sourcing Manager to drive site-level metrics and provide carrier performance feedback to departmental leadership and corporate executives to ensure contract longevity.
- Worked with the other Transportation Operations Managers to reduce networks costs and improve network service to Wal-Mart allowing for an additional contract award of $33M per year in dedicated business.
- Developed and implemented Third party backhaul processes, while working closely with the Wal-Mart transportation management to increase site revenue by $1.7M in the first year of operation.
- Planned, directed, and executed activities of transportation projects to ensure that goals or objectives of these projects were accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.
Wal-Mart Transportation Supervisor II
USXpress Enterprises
10.2014 - 03.2018
- Created optimal route revisions daily assuring a 99.72% on time delivery rate to ensure compliance with Wal-Marts' contractual agreements.
- Helped establish site direction and assisted senior management identify resources and opportunities to remove barriers to any and all goals and initiatives.
- Assist in adopting and sustaining a culture that encourages commitment to quality service and superior team performance.
- Manage, lead and develop a successful team of drivers within the division ensuring proper coaching, training, performance management/evaluation and talent management for direct reports, both office, driver and shop personnel.
- Owned a Safety Culture, ensuring a safety minded work environment so that employees use safe work methods to reduce driver accidents by 39% in 2016 and 42% in 2017.
- Utilized data from Onboard Computer Logging system (ex., PeopleNet; AS400) and other sources to manage KPI's and ensure individual team member performance is monitored.
- Engaged in the typical responsibilities of a manager requiring planning, evaluating, organizing, integrating, and delegating work tasks to clerical and support staff.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of inbound and outbound transportation programs that provide for continuous performance improvement and allowed for an site-level operating revenue improvement of 6%, or $2.9M in 2017.
Skills
- Operational Cost Reduction
- P&L Management
- Budgeting & KPI's
- Policy Development & Implementation
- Contract Negotiations & Vendor Management
- FMCSA & DOT Regulations and compliance
- Strategic Planning & Project Management
- Talent Acquisition & Management
- Employee Engagement, Development & Training
- Freight Forecasting, Planning & Scheduling
- Telematics (Qualcomm, Trimble, PeopleNet, Samsara, Geotab, Omnitracs)
- TMS Systems (AS400, Manhattan, TMW, Twist, McLeod, MercuryGate, Oracle, SAP)
Timeline
Transportation Manager
Pallet Logistics Of America
09.2020 - 03.2023
Transportation Operations Manager
Mohawk Industries
03.2019 - 09.2020
Wal-Mart Operations Manager
USXpress Enterprises
03.2018 - 03.2019
Wal-Mart Transportation Supervisor II
USXpress Enterprises
10.2014 - 03.2018
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