18 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually split time between a desk and the yard. At the desk you use a Transportation Management System (TMS), SAP, Excel and Outlook to create routes, enter shipping information, prepare manifests, and record costs and weights.
On the floor you coordinate loading, direct trucks to doors or marshaling areas, check cargo condition, lead inspections, and notify customers when freight or baggage arrives. Expect regular calls about delays or damaged shipments to resolve.
The core tool is a Transportation Management System (TMS) to plan routes, track deliveries, and coordinate multi-modal transport. SAP often handles posting and enterprise records. Excel is used for quick reports, cost tallies, fuel and weight analysis, and OneNote or Outlook for notes and customer communication.
You’ll also enter manifests and shipment details into the TMS, generate freight shipment reports, and use the systems to record inspections and package supplies.
Use AI tools only to suggest optimized routes, estimate ETA, or flag anomalies; always verify in the TMS or with real-world checks. For example, let a route-optimizer propose schedules, then confirm fuel compartment limits, required licenses and safety equipment before approving.
Don’t let automation change manifests, legal documents, or client billing without human review. Keep logs in SAP or Excel showing why a change was made so you can explain delays or damages later.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 data, 97,670 people were employed as route planners. Median pay is $52,260 per year, the lowest tenth is $38,340, and the top tenth is $79,810.
Pay varies by industry, shift, and location. Jobs that require SAP expertise, hazardous-material licensing, or managing multimodal networks tend to pay toward the higher range.
Begin with basic courses in transportation or supply-chain fundamentals and get hands-on with Excel and Outlook. Learn a TMS via free demos or employer training and practice creating manifests, entering shipment data, and tracking deliveries.
Seek entry-level roles in freight yards or shipping offices to help load/unload, handle packing materials, and lead inspections. That on-the-job experience teaches fuel analysis, safety equipment checks, and how to resolve delays.
A dispatcher focuses on assigning drivers and vehicles hour-by-hour, often using radio and dispatch software. A freight broker finds carriers and negotiates contracts but does not always manage the day-to-day movement details.
A route planner designs the actual routes, prepares manifests, analyzes fuel and safety equipment needs, records costs and weights in TMS/SAP, and coordinates multimodal logistics — mixing planning with some operational tasks like directing trucks and inspecting cargo.
Technical skills: confident use of a TMS, SAP basics, Excel spreadsheets for cost/weight/fuel analysis, and Outlook/OneNote for communication and notes. Know how to prepare manifests and post shipment records.
Practical skills: attention to cargo condition, leading inspections, knowing which licenses and safety gear a load needs, resolving delays or damages, and directing trucks safely. Clear communication with clients about arrival and payment methods is essential.