Partner Relations Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Establish and nurture executive-level partnerships with owners, presidents, vice presidents, and senior leadership teams of designated partner carriers and agents.

• Manage a portfolio of strategic partner relationships with responsibility for revenue enhancement, profitability, and long-term business development.

• Conduct regular in-person visits to partners within assigned regions (approximately 10–12 travel days per month).

• Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with key partners, concentrating on performance, growth opportunities, operational excellence, and future initiatives.

• Identify new partnership opportunities to expand CCFS market coverage and enhance the transportation network.

• Negotiate commercial contracts, pricing strategies, operational expectations, and mutually advantageous growth initiatives.

• Create annual business plans for assigned territories that outline revenue targets, growth initiatives, and strategic priorities.

• Collaborate with Sales Leadership to discover opportunities for joint customer acquisition and market expansion.

• Work in partnership with Operations, Pricing, Customer Success, and Executive Leadership to guarantee the successful execution of strategic initiatives.

• Track partner performance using metrics such as revenue, margin, service, claims, and operational KPIs.

• Identify avenues to enhance profitability through pricing strategies, freight mix, lane optimization, and network efficiencies.

• Stay abreast of competitive activities, market trends, mergers, acquisitions, and industry changes affecting partner relationships.

• Suggest strategic modifications that improve network density, increase revenue, lower operating costs, and bolster market standing.

• Identify chances to boost inbound and outbound freight volume with current partners.

• Develop strategic growth plans aimed at expanding business within assigned territories.

• Forge new partner relationships that enhance network reach and create profitable transportation opportunities.

• Collaborate with National Account Managers and Field Sales to pursue enterprise opportunities that necessitate partner cooperation.

• Participate in customer presentations, executive meetings, industry conferences, and transportation events to represent CCFS.

• Support major customer implementations that require coordination with partners.

• Act as the executive escalation point for strategic partner issues necessitating cross-functional coordination.

• Ensure operational alignment between CCFS and partner organizations concerning interchange processes, EDI connectivity, POD management, service standards, and communication protocols.

• Collaborate with Operations Leadership to address service challenges while maintaining robust executive relationships.

• Advocate for continuous improvement initiatives that enhance both partner experience and customer satisfaction.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 5 years of experience in transportation, LTL, logistics, national accounts, or business development.

• Demonstrated success in managing executive-level customer or partner relationships.

• Strong negotiation and consultative selling capabilities.

• Experience in formulating strategic account growth plans.

• Exceptional presentation and executive communication skills.

• Strong analytical abilities and financial insight.

• Capacity to influence without direct authority across multiple departments.

• Self-driven with a proven ability to meet ambitious revenue targets.

• Knowledge of partner carrier networks and interline agreements.

• Familiarity with LTL transportation pricing and network optimization.

• Experience in territory planning within a multi-service-center network.

• Understanding of transportation technology and EDI connectivity.

• Expertise in customer and partner lifecycle management.

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field is required.

• A minimum of five years of relevant professional, managerial, and technical experience.

• Willingness to travel up to 40–50% within the assigned territory.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental, and Life Insurance options available.

• Paid time off, paid holidays, and paid community volunteer time.

• 401k retirement plan.