Capacity Planning Manager

Essential Job Functions

Network & Capacity Strategy

• Develop rolling capacity forecasts (weekly/monthly/quarterly) by lane, reconciling customer project pipelines (data center builds, hardware refresh cycles, decommission projects) with available cargo capacity. This is done in conjunction
• Develop and maintain capacity plans across the North American trade lanes outbound and inbound, accounting for seasonality, general rate increases (GRIs), and project-driven demand surges.
• Model dynamic load factors (weight- and volume-constrained utilization) for rack and crate shipments, given their density and irregular dimensions, to right-size ULD/pallet builds and avoid both spoilage and stuck freight.
• Identify when scheduled freighter capacity is insufficient and recommend charter for large or time-critical moves.

Carrier & Partner Management

• Negotiate and manage Block Space Agreements (BSAs) and allocation agreements with freighter operators and combination carriers across core lanes.
• Track spot rate movements, GRI announcements, and peak season surcharges; advise commercial teams on rate exposure and contract timing.
• Vet ground handling capability at gateway airports (ramp equipment, forklift/crane capacity, climate control) for heavy and oversized rack shipments.

Operational Planning & Execution

• Translate customer shipment plans into booking instructions, balancing chargeable weight optimization against transit time and cost targets.
• Coordinate with packaging/crating teams on shock, vibration, and climate requirements specific to server hardware, and ensure crate/pallet dimensions are compatible with available aircraft types (including nose-loading freighters for tall or long cargo).
• Build contingency plans for capacity disruption (mechanical, weather, geopolitical) on critical lanes, including pre-cleared backup routings.
• Monitor and report on load factors, on-time performance, and capacity utilization against plan.

Compliance & Risk

• Maintain working knowledge of applicable dangerous goods regulations and ensure bookings reflect cargo-specific handling requirements.
• Stay current on applicable export control requirements and flag shipments requiring licensing or restricted routing.
• Partner with customs and trade compliance teams on HS classification and import documentation across cargo types.
• Support insurance and security protocols aligned with the value and risk profile of the cargo.

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Act as the primary capacity liaison between Control Tower across region and Operational teams and carriers.
• Provide capacity visibility and constraints input into customer-facing quotes and project timelines before commitments are made.
• Partner with finance on capacity-related cost forecasting and carrier contract economics.

Physical Requirements

• Job may require extended sitting or standing, use of standard office equipment.
• Job requires the ability to use vision, adjust focus and work on a standard computer screen.
• Use of audio-visual equipment is required.
• Job will require punctual attendance and regular presence on-site at the assigned work location.

Education & Experience

• 5+ years in air freight capacity planning, network planning, or carrier management, ideally within a forwarder, airline, GSSA, or shipper logistics team.
• Demonstrated fluency with industry mechanics: spot rates, GRIs, chargeable weight, load factor, allocation/BSA structures.
• Experience managing capacity across North America in-bound out-bound.
• Strong analytical and forecasting skills; comfortable building and maintaining capacity models in Excel or BI tools.
• Track record negotiating directly with carriers and GSAs.

Other Skills and Abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with oversized/out-of-gauge cargo planning or project/charter logistics.
• Familiarity with dangerous goods regulations for lithium battery–containing equipment.
• Exposure to data center, IT hardware, or high-value/high-tech vertical logistics.
• Working knowledge of export control regimes affecting semiconductors or AI/HPC hardware.
• Experience standing up network capacity strategy for a new business line or trade lane.

Key Competencies

• Commercial negotiation and carrier relationship management.
• Quantitative forecasting and scenario planning under uncertainty.
• Comfort operating in a fast-moving, early-stage environment with evolving processes.
• Clear cross-functional communication with sales, operations, and compliance stakeholders.

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES

• Professional certification may be required in some cases

WHY SHOULD YOU WORK FOR CRANE?

At Crane, we believe in providing our employees with excellent benefits at a Great Place to Work.

We offer:

• Quarterly Incentive Plan
• 136 hours of Paid Time Off which equals 17 days for the year, that can be used for Sick Time or for Personal Use
• Excellent Medical, Dental and Vision benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement for education related to your job
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Employee Recognition and Rewards Program
• Paid Volunteer Time to support a cause that is close to your heart and contributes to our communities
• Employee Discounts
• Wellness Incentives that can go up to $100 per year for completing challenges, in addition to a discount on contribution rates

Come join the leader in logistics and take your career in the right direction.

Disclaimer:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.

This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E-Verify Check.

More Information: http://www.dhs.gov/e-verify

Company benefits are contingent upon meeting eligibility requirements and plan conditions.