Freight Power, AI, and Leading with Heart with Erin Van Zeeland of Schneider
In this episode, Donna and Tom sit down with Erin Van Zeeland, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truckload and Dedicated Services at Schneider, to discuss the evolution of transportation and the power of strategic logistics. Erin shares insights from her 33-year journey at Schneider, exploring how the company leverages AI and "D4 science" to drive efficiency through platforms like Schneider Freight Power. She breaks down the critical difference between transactional and durable shipping rates, explaining why chasing the lowest cost per mile is often a false economy that leaves shippers exposed during market peaks. Listeners will gain valuable perspectives on leadership, the importance of curiosity, and Schneider’s commitment to developing talent through the Schneider Women’s Network. Erin also reveals how real-time AI bots are transforming the driver experience by slashing resolution times for gate issues from 34 minutes to under three. Whether you're a student or a seasoned professional, this conversation offers a masterclass in balancing cutting-edge technology with a people-first philosophy.
Takeaways:
The strategic shift from transactional to durable shipping rates for long-term resilience.
How Schneider utilizes AI and bots to enhance driver productivity and real-time problem-solving.
Leadership lessons on the "human side" of logistics and the power of curiosity.
Navigating the 18-20 month freight market cycles and long-term industry trends.
Stay connected with CSCR on LinkedIn (Center for Supply Chain Research) and Instagram (@pennstatesupplychain), and be sure to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you are tuning into Unpacked: Insights hosted by the Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research™. Thank you for joining us!
Visit our website: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr
Guest Bio:
Erin Van Zeeland is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truckload and Dedicated Services at Schneider, a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, enhancing the standard of living worldwide. Schneider Logistics Services is Schneider’s fastest growing segment and in 2018 achieved the $1B revenue milestone for the first time. In this position, she is responsible for all aspects of the company’s Logistics Service offerings, including Transportation Management (Brokerage), Supply Chain Management, Transloading and Distribution, Warehousing and Port Dray. Within her functional responsibilities, she ensures that over 34,000 third party carriers and service providers are effectively utilized to meet supply chain needs, service and profitability objectives across any mode of transportation and logistics services.
With 27 years of operations, commercial, transportation logistics experience, Van Zeeland has held several leadership roles in both Schneider’s Logistics and asset-based divisions. She has also served as vice president of Business Transformation, where she managed the enterprise business process engineering and change management/change leadership efforts for the Schneider enterprise. Van Zeeland started her career at Schneider in 1993 as a service team leader at the Harrisburg Operation Center and was subsequently promoted to operations/customer service Integration manager, Van Operations in 1995 before becoming the operations center manager at Schneider’s headquarters in Green Bay, Wis. in 1997. During her career with Schneider, Van Zeeland has served in a variety of leadership positions with increasing responsibility for customer growth and business expansion.
Van Zeeland holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wis. Van Zeeland was recognized in Computer World’s Premier 100 IT leaders in 2009, a WIT finalist for the 2019 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award and was named the recipient of the Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s first-ever Women in Supply chain award. She currently serves on the board of directors for the United Way – Green Bay and she has in the past served on board at the Cerebral Palsy Center. She is an active member in women’s ministries at her local church. She serves as a co-lead in the Schneider Women’s network and various other women in leadership and business programs. She also represents Schneider in the Transportation Intermediaries Association.
Takeaways:
The strategic shift from transactional to durable shipping rates for long-term resilience.
How Schneider utilizes AI and bots to enhance driver productivity and real-time problem-solving.
Leadership lessons on the "human side" of logistics and the power of curiosity.
Navigating the 18-20 month freight market cycles and long-term industry trends.
Stay connected with CSCR on LinkedIn (Center for Supply Chain Research) and Instagram (@pennstatesupplychain), and be sure to follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you are tuning into Unpacked: Insights hosted by the Penn State Smeal Center for Supply Chain Research™. Thank you for joining us!
Visit our website: https://www.smeal.psu.edu/cscr
Guest Bio:
Erin Van Zeeland is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Truckload and Dedicated Services at Schneider, a premier provider of transportation, logistics and intermodal services, enhancing the standard of living worldwide. Schneider Logistics Services is Schneider’s fastest growing segment and in 2018 achieved the $1B revenue milestone for the first time. In this position, she is responsible for all aspects of the company’s Logistics Service offerings, including Transportation Management (Brokerage), Supply Chain Management, Transloading and Distribution, Warehousing and Port Dray. Within her functional responsibilities, she ensures that over 34,000 third party carriers and service providers are effectively utilized to meet supply chain needs, service and profitability objectives across any mode of transportation and logistics services.
With 27 years of operations, commercial, transportation logistics experience, Van Zeeland has held several leadership roles in both Schneider’s Logistics and asset-based divisions. She has also served as vice president of Business Transformation, where she managed the enterprise business process engineering and change management/change leadership efforts for the Schneider enterprise. Van Zeeland started her career at Schneider in 1993 as a service team leader at the Harrisburg Operation Center and was subsequently promoted to operations/customer service Integration manager, Van Operations in 1995 before becoming the operations center manager at Schneider’s headquarters in Green Bay, Wis. in 1997. During her career with Schneider, Van Zeeland has served in a variety of leadership positions with increasing responsibility for customer growth and business expansion.
Van Zeeland holds a bachelor’s degree from Pennsylvania State University and an MBA from Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, Wis. Van Zeeland was recognized in Computer World’s Premier 100 IT leaders in 2009, a WIT finalist for the 2019 Distinguished Woman in Logistics Award and was named the recipient of the Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s first-ever Women in Supply chain award. She currently serves on the board of directors for the United Way – Green Bay and she has in the past served on board at the Cerebral Palsy Center. She is an active member in women’s ministries at her local church. She serves as a co-lead in the Schneider Women’s network and various other women in leadership and business programs. She also represents Schneider in the Transportation Intermediaries Association.
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