Supplier Operations Coordinator - Transportation

Backroads • Berkeley, CA

7d • $27 - $34 • Onsite

About The Position

About the role: The Supplier Operations Transportation Coordinator plays a critical role within the Supplier Operations team. This position is responsible for securing all scheduled transportation services and negotiating rates with transportation partners worldwide. This role effectively owns all transportation contracts and supplier relationships—including buses, boats, and luggage transfers—and also books all non-contracted transportation such as flights and ferries. Transportation vendors tend to be high-volume and detail-sensitive, often requiring more personalized attention and frequent negotiation. This role requires a keen eye for detail, strong organization, confidence in navigating complex logistics, and the ability to work effectively with multiple teams. The Transportation Coordinator works closely with stakeholders across Trip Development and in the Field to ensure flawless execution and alignment. What you'll be doing: Secure transportation dates and negotiate competitive rates with global transportation suppliers (buses, boats, luggage transfers, etc.). Maintain full ownership of all transportation contracts and vendor relationships. Collaborate with Field Staff to ensure systems are accurately updated by the Pre-Season Update deadline. Partner with Regional Directors to define and maintain regional low-enrollment parameters across all European regions. Generate, review, and send weekly TVR (Transportation Vendor Report) communications to all European transport partners. Collaborate with the Supplier Operations Assistant to ensure all COIs are collected on time; escalate gaps or risks as needed. Serve as the point of contact for new trip launches and private trip requests related to transportation availability. Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on timelines, contract details, and service expectations. Adapt and respond to assortment or itinerary changes, ensuring transportation needs are re-secured quickly and accurately. What you'll need to be successful: Strong Communicator. You will have extensive correspondence and must be fluent in our systems, timelines, guidelines, and terminology. Phone Confident. You're comfortable picking up the phone to clarify contract details, confirm logistics, and keep things moving—especially when email won't suffice. Organized & Detail-Oriented. With high volumes and complex vendor arrangements, success hinges on your ability to track the details while managing tight timelines. Independent and Collaborative. You’re confident working autonomously, but also actively contribute to cross-functional team discussions and shared goals. Problem-Solver. You anticipate roadblocks and proactively develop solutions to logistical, contractual, or operational challenges. Relationship Builder. You cultivate trust with internal partners and vendors, ensuring smooth collaboration even under pressure. Credible. You quickly gain subject-matter knowledge and establish yourself as a dependable resource across the organization. Persuasive & Analytical. You blend negotiation savvy with data-backed decision-making to get the best results for Backroads. Excel Pro. You’re highly comfortable working with complex spreadsheets, detailed cost breakdowns, and large data sets. About the Trip Development Department: The Trip Development department plays a critical role within Backroads, supporting trip design & trip development. The team ensures the highest level of quality is always being upheld to deliver exceptional guest experiences. The department is comprised of teams based in Berkeley, CA, Utrecht, Netherlands, and a global field-based team. You’ll be bringing your imagination, strong work ethic and critical eye for detail to a dedicated group of team members who are passionate about sharing the joys of active travel with both returning guests and brand-new audiences. By joining the Trip Development team at Backroads, you’ll be part of a group that constantly strives to provide the best possible experience for our guests while fostering a positive, fun & inclusive employee experience. About Backroads: At Backroads we’re passionate about connecting our guests with so many of the most beautiful places in the world. We use our four-plus decades of expertise to create exceptional biking, hiking, and multi-adventure trips in over 50 countries for people wanting a deeper and richer travel experience. We travel on land as well as by small luxury ships on active river and ocean cruises. Our trips are for all ages – including dedicated itineraries just for families. We are known for our unwavering attention to quality. We have a dynamic work environment and a strong company culture. Why Backroads: At Backroads, we value every single member of our staff, and we’re proud to offer a dynamic work environment that enables growth. Your colleagues will be some of the most dedicated, competent, active, and fun people you will ever meet. A job at Backroads is unlike any other job you will ever have – you will be challenged, you will be inspired, and you will be gratified. No matter what you do here, you will be part of something that makes us all proud – delivering authentic, enriching, and often profoundly life-changing experiences. On top of all that, we have some pretty great benefits and perks! For example our US office employees receive: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match, flex plan, and parental leave Generous paid time off, 8 paid holidays, and additional time off to go on Backroads trips! Complimentary trips and trip discounts for employees, and trip discounts for employees’ friends and family! Outdoor industry discounts and deals Alternative commuter incentives for biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transportation to get to work Wellness programs and regular lunchtime bike rides and yoga Backroads is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Salary Ranges: $26.93 - $33.66 At Backroads, we uphold a commitment to transparency and fairness within our hiring process, particularly regarding compensation. The salary range posted for each role applies to both employment offers and employees actively working in the role . New hires are typically offered a starting salary between the minimum and midpoint of the range to ensure there is continued opportunity for salary progression during your employment at Backroads , reflecting our commitment to rewarding ongoing dedication, high performance , and significant contributions to our team. This approach not only supports our budgeting strategy but also our intention to foster an environment that encourages long-term growth and strong relationships between Backroads and our valued employees. Our office roles are onsite in our Berkeley headquarters, unless specifically noted as 'available for remote'. We do allow one work-from-home day a week, as well as one work-from-anywhere week per year. This pay range is intended for in-person work in our Berkeley, CA headquarters. Pay ranges for remote-eligible roles will be subject to adjustment based on the geolocation of the employee.

Requirements

• Strong Communicator. You will have extensive correspondence and must be fluent in our systems, timelines, guidelines, and terminology.
• Phone Confident. You're comfortable picking up the phone to clarify contract details, confirm logistics, and keep things moving—especially when email won't suffice.
• Organized & Detail-Oriented. With high volumes and complex vendor arrangements, success hinges on your ability to track the details while managing tight timelines.
• Independent and Collaborative. You’re confident working autonomously, but also actively contribute to cross-functional team discussions and shared goals.
• Problem-Solver. You anticipate roadblocks and proactively develop solutions to logistical, contractual, or operational challenges.
• Relationship Builder. You cultivate trust with internal partners and vendors, ensuring smooth collaboration even under pressure.
• Credible. You quickly gain subject-matter knowledge and establish yourself as a dependable resource across the organization.
• Persuasive & Analytical. You blend negotiation savvy with data-backed decision-making to get the best results for Backroads.
• Excel Pro. You’re highly comfortable working with complex spreadsheets, detailed cost breakdowns, and large data sets.

Responsibilities

• Secure transportation dates and negotiate competitive rates with global transportation suppliers (buses, boats, luggage transfers, etc.)
• Maintain full ownership of all transportation contracts and vendor relationships.
• Collaborate with Field Staff to ensure systems are accurately updated by the Pre-Season Update deadline.
• Partner with Regional Directors to define and maintain regional low-enrollment parameters across all European regions.
• Generate, review, and send weekly TVR (Transportation Vendor Report) communications to all European transport partners.
• Collaborate with the Supplier Operations Assistant to ensure all COIs are collected on time; escalate gaps or risks as needed.
• Serve as the point of contact for new trip launches and private trip requests related to transportation availability.
• Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to ensure alignment on timelines, contract details, and service expectations.
• Adapt and respond to assortment or itinerary changes, ensuring transportation needs are re-secured quickly and accurately.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match, flex plan, and parental leave
• Generous paid time off, 8 paid holidays, and additional time off to go on Backroads trips!
• Complimentary trips and trip discounts for employees, and trip discounts for employees’ friends and family!
• Outdoor industry discounts and deals
• Alternative commuter incentives for biking, walking, carpooling, or using public transportation to get to work
• Wellness programs and regular lunchtime bike rides and yoga

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed