MELINDA LAUGHLIN
Chattanooga,TN
Summary
Results-driven Freight Broker with extensive experience in logistics management, transportation coordination, and supply chain optimization. Proven ability to streamline operations, negotiate competitive rates, and enhance logistics efficiency. Adept at managing vendor relations, ensuring DOT compliance, and leveraging technology to improve shipment tracking and inventory control. Strong leadership and problem-solving skills with a history of exceeding sales targets and operational goals.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Freight Broker
Independent Contractor
09.2021 - Current
- Managed end-to-end logistics operations, including dispatching, scheduling, and shipment tracking.
- Average Yearly Sales at 3.5 Million +
- Sourced, onboarded, and ensured compliance of vendors and carriers.
- Negotiated freight rates based on market trends to optimize profitability.
- Approved invoices, billing, and financial transactions related to shipments
- Stayed updated on latest knowledge in transportation and logistics to provide relevant solutions to clients
- Load building and rate confirmation
- Sales for FTL, LTL, Reefers, Drayage, Ocean, Air, and Warehousing
Outside Sales Account Manager
ArcBest
08.2017 - 09.2021
- Revenue and Account growth consistently in top 5% of regional account managers
- Increased territory revenue by $1M within first 12 months in role and 1M+ year over year
- Pursuing and cultivating strategic accounts
- Selling broad suit of logistic services which include, truckload, LTL, trade show, time critical, ocean, air, ground expedite, managed transportation, warehousing/distribution, supply chain optimization, omega TMS and LTL Brokerage
- Designing and implementing solutions to host of supply chain challenges
- Overseeing client services and ensuring positive client experiences
- Pricing Proposals and Customer presentation review
- Contacted existing customers to discuss ways to meet needs through specific products and services
- Identified new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, marketing and prospective database leads
- Achieved or exceeded company-defined sales quotas and in addition was awarded below awards.
- 2018 Rookie of Year
- 2018 - 2020: Cross Selling, Prospector of Year, International Top Sales , Shark award
Logistics Manager
Caesarstone
08.2014 - 08.2017
- Manage strategic accounts
- Inventory balancing for eleven distribution centers
- Consignment warehouse management and balancing
- Ensured delivery of 150 import containers month including ship confirmation for all
- Creation and management of all air freight, imports, and exports
- Vendor relations/on boarding of new vendors
- Approve all trucking accessorial charges for shipments within company
- Negotiated transportation and logistics contracts to reduce shipping costs
- Collaborated with manufacturing and supply chain management
- Coordinated dispatching for FTL and LTL shipments to accomplish daily delivery requirements
- Approves release of all material slated for IKEA, Residential, and/or Commercial
- Approval of all coordinators full truck load logistical moves
- Developed and maintained knowledgeable and productive team of employees
- Approval power of all POs, and other logistical concerns when Logistics Director is absent
Logistics Specialist
JF Hillebrand
04.2013 - 05.2014
- Oversee Strategic/Executive accounts for one of largest importers of wine and spirits
- Managed, tracked and ensured delivery for 200 import containers monthly
- Built working relationships with clients to foster loyalty and encourage repeat business
- Collaborated with IT in Netherlands to implement SCM operational system to provide each customer with ongoing inventory updates
- Transportation selection: targeting cost reduction, freight savings, and contractual requirements
- Drayage, intermodal, and line haul dispatching for all shipments
- Solve all shipping disruptions that may lead to delays and notify customer with new plan of action
- Work with Customs Brokerage and Oceans Department to clear/resolve any holds or exams eliminating potential demurrage charges
- Accounting: vendor invoicing and customer billing
- KPI reporting for customers to ensure their projected strategic and operational goals are met
Account Specialist/Dispatcher
Maritime Delivery Services/Parent Company OOCL
10.2011 - 12.2012
- Account Specialist and import/export logistics coordinator, supporting one of world's largest international steamship line, logistics and trucking companies, OOCL
- Coordinate dispatch requirements for 31 regional and long haul professional drivers, transporting merchandise across US
- Performed daily delivery of up to 35 cargo containers, accommodating delivery dates and conflicts
- Established profitable relationships with corporate representatives from 3M, Panasonic, Kodak, and Michelin
- Approve all shipment payments and resolve all electronic data interchange (EDI) rejections
- Confirm vessel arrival and release of each container, resolving any import/export delays with steam ship line and customs department
- Assure driver vehicle inspection reports (DVIR) and daily logs comply with Department of Transportation (DOT)
Receiving Representative
Terminal Warehouse Inc
10.2009 - 10.2011
- Primary Receiving Representative for warehouse containing inventory amounting to $28 million
- Coordinate shipping/receiving activities with prominent supply chain carriers for LTL and FTL
- Schedule inbound containers with OOCL and rail car arrivals and departures
- Enter all inbound receipts and returns
- Communicate with associates to ensure up to 30 containers are unloaded daily; create and expedite daily shipments for warehousemen
- Import/Export chemicals for multiple ports (non-regulated and hazmat)
- Prepare OSHA labeling and bar coding
- Collaborated with other departments to resolve potential incoming shipment issues
- Communicated with vendor representatives to resolve damaged shipments and item shortages.
- 3rd Party Warehousing
Realtor
Golden Strip Real Estate-Prudential C Dan Joyner
07.2004 - 10.2011
- Sold 27 properties within first 6 months
- Managed contracts, negotiations, and all aspects of sales to finalize purchases and exceed customer expectations
- Advertised client properties through websites, social media, and real estate guides
- Resolved client concerns related to home purchases to maintain high satisfaction ratings
- Compared recently sold area properties to determine competitive market prices
- Presented purchase offers to sellers for consideration
- Maintained connections with clients to encourage repeat business and referrals
Skills
- AIRBNB/VRBO OWNER
- Long Term Landlord
- Sales and Marketing
- Freight Broker
- Manager of Logistics
- Import/Export/Ocean/Air
- Inventory Balancing
- LTL/FTL/Reefer/Drayage
- Warehousing
- Shipment Tracking
- Pricing
- Invoicing/Billing
- Collection
- Dispatching/Scheduling
Timeline
Freight Broker
Independent Contractor
09.2021 - Current
Outside Sales Account Manager
ArcBest
08.2017 - 09.2021
Logistics Manager
Caesarstone
08.2014 - 08.2017
Logistics Specialist
JF Hillebrand
04.2013 - 05.2014
Account Specialist/Dispatcher
Maritime Delivery Services/Parent Company OOCL
10.2011 - 12.2012
Receiving Representative
Terminal Warehouse Inc
10.2009 - 10.2011
Realtor
Golden Strip Real Estate-Prudential C Dan Joyner
07.2004 - 10.2011
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