Transportation - Risk, Claims & Carrier Qualifications Specialist - Plant City - Patterson Companies

Description

Position Summary

The Transportation Risk, Claims & Carrier Qualifications Specialist plays a critical role in protecting Patterson Companies from operational, financial, and reputational risk. This position is responsible for managing all Overages, Shortages, and Damages (OS&D), processing and resolving freight claims, qualifying and onboarding carriers, maintaining carrier insurance compliance, and overseeing organizational risk management procedures. This role ensures that Patterson Companies operate within industry regulations while building strong partnerships with carriers and safeguarding our customers' freight.

Key Responsibilities

Claims & OS&D Management

• Serve as the first point of contact for all OS&D and freight claims from shippers, carriers, and internal teams.
• Investigate, document, and process claims in compliance with company policies, federal regulations, and industry best practices.
• Communicate with carriers, customers, and internal stakeholders to resolve disputes promptly and fairly.
• Maintain detailed claim files, documentation, and reporting for trend analysis and process improvement.

Carrier Vetting & Qualification

• Conduct thorough vetting of new carriers, including verifying MC/DOT authority, safety ratings, insurance coverage, and operational capabilities.
• Ensure carriers meet Patterson Companies' safety and compliance standards before onboarding.
• Monitor ongoing carrier compliance, including insurance renewals, safety performance, and regulatory changes.
• Manage the carrier onboarding process in collaboration with the operations team, utilizing TMS-integrated vetting tools (e.g., Highway).

Insurance & Compliance Management

• Track and verify carrier insurance policies, ensuring timely renewals and appropriate coverage.
• Coordinate with carriers and insurance providers to update coverage documents in company systems.
• Monitor regulatory requirements and ensure company compliance with FMCSA, DOT, and other governing bodies.

Organizational Risk Management

• Identify operational risks and recommend preventive strategies to mitigate exposure.
• Develop and update company policies related to risk, claims, and carrier compliance.
• Provide regular risk and claim trend reports to leadership to inform decision-making.
• Collaborate with sales, operations, and leadership to ensure contractual agreements protect company interests.

Carrier Relations & Partnership Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for carriers regarding qualification requirements, insurance compliance, claims processes, and risk-related inquiries
• Communicate Patterson's carrier standards, documentation requirements, and expectations clearly and professionally
• Build and maintain respectful, solutions-oriented relationships with approved carriers while enforcing compliance and risk policies consistently
• Support carrier onboarding and requalification by providing guidance on required documentation, timelines, and corrective actions
• Manage carrier communications during claims, incidents, or service failures with a focus on transparency, resolution, and professionalism
• Collaborate with Operations and Carrier Sales teams to balance carrier partnership, service reliability, and risk mitigation
• Identify recurring carrier issues or trends and proactively recommend improvements to processes, standards, or communication
• De-escalate disputes when necessary while protecting Patterson's interests and maintaining long-term carrier trust

Requirements

Qualifications

Required:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in transportation, logistics, risk management, or claims processing.
• Strong knowledge of carrier vetting, insurance requirements, OS&D processes, and freight claims procedures.
• Proficient in using TMS platforms and compliance monitoring tools.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred:

• Experience in a 3PL or freight brokerage environment. Operations experience is preferred.
• Familiarity with Highway, RMIS, SaferWatch, Carrier411, or equivalent compliance software.
• Knowledge of cargo insurance policies, Carmack Amendment, and freight claim regulations.
• Comfortability of PowerBi, Tableau, and reporting to understand Patterson's baseline and help us take steps to ensure we are mitigating risk.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Claims Resolution Time - Average days from claim initiation to closure.
• Claims Recovery Rate - Percentage of recovered claim value from carriers.
• Carrier Compliance Rate - % of carriers in active network with up-to-date insurance and safety ratings.
• Insurance Renewal Timeliness - % of policies renewed before expiration.
• Risk Incident Reduction - Year-over-year reduction in operational or compliance-related incidents.

Why Join Patterson Companies

At Patterson Companies, we believe in protecting our customers, carriers, and brand through proactive compliance, fair claims management, and strategic risk mitigation. In this role, you'll be a key player in building a safer, stronger, and more reliable logistics network while contributing to our growth and reputation in the marketplace.