Routing & Scheduling Specialist

Role Summary

As a Routing and Scheduling Specialist, you plan and coordinate delivery routes and driver schedules for maximum efficiency and service reliability. You balance customer time windows, traffic patterns, vehicle capacity, and compliance requirements to ensure every mile counts.

Required Education, Certifications, and Experience

Education:

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.

Certifications:

  • Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD)
  • Certified Transportation Professional (CTP)
  • Fleet Management Certification
  • Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
  • Route Optimization Software Training (e.g., Paragon, Routific, Omnitracs)
  • Certified Supply Chain Analyst (CSCA)

Experience:

2 plus years in routing, dispatch, or transportation operations.
Experience with TMS or route optimization software.

Core Skills

  • Route planning
  • Dispatch systems
  • Time window coordination
  • Load balancing
  • Geographic familiarity

A Hypothetical Day in the Life of a Routing & Scheduling Specialist

7:00 AM- You start by checking overnight route completions. One driver missed a delivery window due to an unplanned detour around road construction. You update future routes accordingly and log the exception. Reacting fast to disruptions is the only way to stay on time.


8:00 AM- You release the day’s dispatch schedule and double-check load assignments. A late equipment return forces you to reroute a local delivery to another vehicle. You notify the driver and warehouse—agility keeps the day from spiraling out of control.


9:30 AM- You run route optimization software to model next week’s long-haul deliveries. You tweak parameters based on carrier availability, weather forecasts, and customer constraints. A few small adjustments now can prevent wasted miles and missed service levels later.


11:00 AM- You field calls from drivers requesting schedule changes or needing help with GPS routing. One driver is stuck near a weigh station with a timing issue—you walk them through a compliant workaround and update the tracking portal to reflect the change.


12:30 PM- You take a working lunch to adjust schedules for several drivers taking PTO next week. You shift loads, adjust coverage, and make a note to request an extra temp driver for Friday’s spike. Proactive scheduling prevents last-minute chaos.


2:00 PM- You audit route logs for idle time and fuel usage. Two routes show inefficiencies due to poor sequencing. You revise the next cycle to reduce deadhead miles and send coaching notes to dispatch. The goal is lean, repeatable routing—not just “done.”


3:30 PM- You join a coordination call with the warehouse team to align loading windows with your departure schedules. Misalignment causes cascading delays. You agree to tighten dock availability on certain time slots to better match driver load times.


5:00 PM- You finalize tomorrow’s routes, print manifests, and send digital copies to the fleet supervisor. All updates are synced with GPS systems. You cross-check that each load is balanced by weight, zone, and time commitment.


6:30 PM- Before logging off, you scan traffic and weather forecasts for any red flags. A major storm may impact outbound loads two days from now. You flag it and begin contingency routing. In this role, you’re planning tomorrow—and anticipating next week.