Building your career in LTL: insights from Kris McLennan
Authored by SMC³ on February 27, 2025
In the opening session of SMC³’s 2025 LTL Online Education Hybrid Series, industry veteran Kris McLennan shared her personal journey and insights on building a lasting career in less-than-truckload (LTL) transportation.
Currently the Vice President of Yield Management at A. Duie Pyle, McLennan highlighted the value of starting at the bottom and learning the fundamentals of the industry. Her insights become significantly more important in an industrial landscape that technology is about to transform.
Learning the fundamentals from the bottom up
McLennan’s career had a modest beginning. She got her start with a part-time Friday night gig covering for her sister, who was already involved in logistics. From that initial role in freight billing, she worked her way up through dispatch, pricing, and beyond.
“It was a great way to learn the fundamentals,” she said.
McLennan emphasized that understanding the LTL industry comes from the hard work and getting into the nitty-gritty of operations. She emphasized that the foundations of LTL are best learned on the job rather than solely through formal education.
“There weren’t transportation management or logistics careers back then,” she said, underscoring the importance of hands-on training in building a deep, practical knowledge of the industry.
The emerging importance of technology
McLennan dwelt on the emerging centrality of tech to the LTL business. Over the course of her career, it has reshaped everything—from back-office operations to driver communications. McLennan noted that this trend is likely to continue, particularly with the advent of AI technologies in the supply chain.
“Technology will continue to be key,” she explained. “When I first started, paper was everywhere. I can’t stress how burdensome the level and volumes of filing cabinets we had, the sheer amount of red felt-tip pens.”
She noted that digital tools and systems have vastly improved operational efficiencies, transforming the way work is performed across the board, from route planning to real-time communications. This shift is not just about replacing manual tasks but about redefining how we approach problem solving in a fast-paced industry.
The paradox of connectivity in a digital world
While this technology comes with massive gains in efficiency, McLennan took pains to point out that it also comes with an inherent, troubling paradox. Though tech has connected workflows and processes, it has also reduced the connections between people, degrading the quality of personal, one-on-one interaction.
“Today, we use chat and text almost exclusively,” she said. “We don’t even really use voicemail. It’s all new technology.”
This reliance on digital communication has streamlined processes, yet it has also challenged the traditional, personal connections that many believe are vital to the LTL business. The session highlighted the need for a balanced approach—leveraging technology to improve efficiency while consciously fostering the personal interactions that build strong working relationships.
Learning on the job
McLennan’s career is a testament to the benefits of learning on the job. With formal educational programs in transportation still in their infancy during her early days, on-the-job training provided the critical “building blocks” for success. She advised new professionals to seize every opportunity to ask questions of more established colleagues—not only as a skill-building exercise, but also as a networking technique.
“Make sure you’re raising your hand and asking questions,” she advised.
Building important expertise, this approach also opens doors to mentorship—another essential ingredient for long-term career growth.
Additional insights: mentorship, networking, and value alignment
McLennan also touched on the broader aspects of career development. She encouraged young professionals to get out of their comfort zones by requesting facility tours and engaging with colleagues across departments.
Taking initiative like this deepens understanding of an LTL business’ entire operation. It also builds valuable relationships and helps younger professionals test whether their personal values align with the company’s culture.
Learning and humility as central lessons
Ultimately, the session emphasized the importance of learning and humility. Successful careers in LTL are often built on a solid foundation of hard-earned industry knowledge, supported by a commitment to continuous learning and an openness to both technological change and personal connection.
The thesis of McLennan’s remarks was essentially a warm admonition: While technology propels LTL forward, the human element will always be at the heart of a thriving career.
Interested in joining LTL Hybrid Sessions? Register here: https://smc3.info/LTLedu