How to hire a load planner

How to hire a load planner, step by step

Here's a step-by-step load planner hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a load planner job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new load planner
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The load planner hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A load planner's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, load planners from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of load planners.

   Type of Load Planner	Description	Hourly rate
   Load Planner		$12-28
   Driver Supervisor	Driver supervisors are professionals who are responsible for supervising all activities that are related to the operation of motor vehicles that transport materials for logistics companies. These supervisors are required to select and orient drivers about their roles and ensure that they are following the guidelines provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT)... Show more	$14-23
   Distribution Coordinator	A distribution coordinator oversees and coordinates the distribution operations of a warehouse, ensuring products get to their destinations in a timely and accurate manner. They typically set guidelines and objectives, perform assessments and inspections, liaise with internal and external parties, and develop strategies to optimize operations... Show more	$13-22

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Logistics
   • Hub
   • DOT
   • Safety Regulations
   • Freight Loads
   • Strong Analytical
   • Transportation Management System
   • Delivery Appointments
   • On-Time Delivery
   • Customer Freight
   • Data Entry
   • Customer Orders
   • Cost Savings
   • Trailer Pools

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Partner with planner to manage inventory levels to meet turnover and open-to-buy objectives.
   • Charge with managing contracts for non-emergency and emergency transportation of Medicaid and Medicare members.
   • Create new part numbers, BOM's and routings for all new hinges.
   • Enter load information into TMW system.
   • Follow procedures according to FAA and OSHA standards.
   • Upgrade as foreman and run 5 man crews.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your load planner job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A load planner can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, load planners' average salary in idaho is 48% less than in rhode island.
   • Seniority. Entry-level load planners 55% less than senior-level load planners.
   • Certifications. A load planner with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a load planner's salary.

   Average load planner salary

   $40,526yearly

   $19.48 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level load planner salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

4. Writing a load planner job description

   A load planner job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a load planner job description:

   Load planner job description example

   • Working knowledge of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations applicable to driver HOS requirements and freight handling (paperwork).
   • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with internal and external customers, colleagues and managers.
   • Ability to demonstrate excellent critical thinking and decision making skills, and to seek and provide creative problem solving, and conflict resolution options.
   • Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
   • Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and company policies.
   • Capability to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service.
   • Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office - Word, Excel and Outlook)
   • 1-2 years of transportation experience preferred

   Physical Requirements:

   • Ability to successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards, as applicable.
   • Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, and company policy, as applicable.
   • Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone, and in person, sometimes in high energy/highly charged emotional situations.

   DISCLAIMER:

   The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job. An incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required. “The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.”

   
   
   

   PI193000805

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find load planners for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any load planners they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level load planners with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your load planner job on Zippia to find and recruit load planner candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit load planners, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new load planner

   Once you've found the load planner candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new load planner. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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