Owner Operator Intermodal/Drayage Recruiter
1.0 Position Summary
The Owner Operator Intermodal/Drayage Recruiter is responsible for sourcing, screening, and contracting qualified owner operators to support container drayage and intermodal freight operations out of the Savannah, GA terminal. This role serves as the primary point of contact for prospective owner operators from first contact through activation, ensuring all regulatory compliance, credentialing (including TWIC and port access requirements), equipment verification, and contracting steps are completed before owner operators begin hauling freight for Dunavant Sea Lane Express, LLC and Dunavant Trans Gulf Transportation, LLC.
2.0 Reporting
Reports to Vice President of Operations; Savannah, GA Terminal (Onsite)
Current FLSA Status: Exempt
HR FLSA Status Recommendation: Exempt
3.0 Essential Functions, Job Duties, and Responsibilities
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Source, identify, and recruit qualified owner operators to contract with the terminal, using grass-roots efforts, job boards, industry associations, driver referral networks, trucking events, and digital advertising.
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Build and maintain relationships with owner operators already under contract to encourage referrals and support retention efforts.
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Support terminal-level growth goals by maintaining a healthy, consistent pipeline of qualified owner operator candidates.
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Conduct initial phone and in-person interviews to assess fit, gauge equipment condition, and explain the terminal's freight lanes, pay structure, and lease/contract terms.
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Screen candidates' MVR history, safety record, and CSA (Compliance, Safety, Accountability) scores to confirm eligibility.
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Coordinate and track completion of drug/alcohol screening and background checks for new owner operator applicants.
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Verify equipment compliance for container hauling, including chassis compatibility, annual inspections, registrations, and permits.
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Ensure candidates meet FMCSA regulations and company safety standards prior to contracting.
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Create and maintain owner operator profiles in the applicant tracking system (Tenstreet) and dispatch/load management systems.
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Conduct interviews to assess fit for drayage-specific work, including familiarity with container yards, chassis pools, and appointment-based pickups.
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Explain pay structure and contract terms specific to drayage economics, including per-move rates, fuel surcharge, chassis fees, and detention/demurrage pay.
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Coordinate with terminal operations and dispatch to align new owner operator capacity with specific port and rail ramp lanes and appointment windows.
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Explain safety protocols, incident reporting, and emergency procedures during orientation.
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Serve as the primary point of contact for owner operators throughout the recruiting and contracting process.
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Maintain regular communication with active owner operators to address questions and resolve issues.
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Coordinate between owner operators and internal departments (safety, dispatch, accounting) on contracting and settlement matters.
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Maintain detailed and accurate records of recruiting activity, candidate pipeline status, and credentialing timelines.
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Develops a working knowledge of all terminal locations across both the Sea Lane Express and Trans Gulf Transportation operations to ensure effective cross-functional collaboration.
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Represents the terminal at port community meetings, truck shows, and driver events to build the company's reputation as a preferred drayage carrier.
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Participates in continuous improvement initiatives related to owner operator recruiting and retention.
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Performs all other duties or projects as assigned.
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Education and Experience Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree preferred; 3-5 years of experience in intermodal, drayage, and owner operator recruiting; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum Skills, Knowledge, and Ability Requirements
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Computer skills – Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Windows.
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Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
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Ability to write simple correspondence and to effectively present information to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.
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Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.
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Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
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Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
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Strong business acumen.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
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Exceptional organizational, planning, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
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Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
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Must be able to work effectively in a fast pace and collaborated environment.
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Must have strong safety knowledge, background, and experience in intermodal/drayage operations.
6.0 Work Conditions, Physical and/or Mental Requirements
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Sedentary physical activity requiring reaching, lifting, finger dexterity, grasping, feeling, repetitive motions, talking, and hearing.
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Visual requirement is for close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
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90% or more time is spent looking directly at a computer.
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Employee is frequently required to stand, walk (or otherwise be mobile).
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Employee is frequently required to lift and carry a minimum of 10 pounds.
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Ability to deal with stressful situations as they arise.
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Duties are primarily performed in an office environment. Minimal physical effort is required. Lifting and carrying requirements of up to 15 pounds. Occasional or frequent ability to move boxes from one location to another.
- These physical and/or mental requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related requirements may be added by the Company on an as-needed basis. Reasonable accommodations, where required by law, will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Duties are primarily performed in an office environment. Minimal physical effort is required. Lifting and carrying requirements of up to 15 pounds. Occasional or frequent ability to move boxes from one location to another.
These physical and/or mental requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related requirements may be added by the Company on an as-needed basis. Reasonable accommodations, where required by law, will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
