Working with the right brokerage partner can either give your operations a sharp competitive edge—or quietly chip away at your profitability. Industry data from the FMCSA shows that although operating authority revocations surged in earlier years, the decline has moderated in recent months. In Q3 2024, for example, the net decrease of for-hire carriers—the smallest quarterly loss since the downturn began in late 2022—signals a stabilizing market.
With logistics demands rising across all modes—truckload, LTL, and intermodal containers—it’s now more important than ever to assess whether your brokers are truly delivering value. Today’s shipping landscape demands clear communication between shippers and carriers, transparent authority records, and efficient transportation solutions.
This guide will equip you with practical tools and measurable benchmarks to evaluate your brokerage relationships, help you operate with confidence, drive accountability, and manage transportation costs.
Key Freight Brokerage Performance Metrics to Track
Not all freight brokerage partners are created equal. Even a small disconnect can lead to missed opportunities or higher transportation costs. The quality of their performance can have a direct impact on how smoothly your shipping and coordination processes run.
To make sure you’re working with the right one, track these performance metrics consistently:
- On-Time Delivery Rate – Your broker should consistently meet your delivery deadlines. Missed timelines often point to planning or communication issues.
- Cost per Mile – Review how much you’re paying per mile across lanes. A good, skilled broker helps you stay below industry averages through smart carrier negotiations.
- Tender Acceptance Rate – If your loads are frequently rejected, it’s a red flag. Reliable brokers should have strong carrier networks that quickly accept loads, whether for full truckload, LTL, or cross-border shipments.
- Dispute Resolution Speed – How fast does your broker fix problems? Response time matters in freight management, especially when delays or misrouting occur.
Tracking these numbers allows you to spot trends early, ask smarter questions, and avoid surprises. These insights also help identify areas for continuous improvement across your logistics operations. When reviewed consistently, these freight management metrics can guide better business decisions and long-term planning.
Evaluating Freight Management Service Quality Standards
Before comparing providers, it’s important to define what quality logistics support looks like in your operation. This includes how your provider responds during disruptions, adapts to changing demand, and communicates proactively. To assess the overall quality of freight management services, compare your broker’s performance against expected professional benchmarks.
| Criteria | Signs of Quality Service | Red Flags to Watch For |
| Communication & Updates | Regular, proactive updates on load status | You always have to ask where your shipment is |
| Carrier Network Management | Access to vetted carriers with proven safety records | Frequent use of unknown or poorly rated carriers |
| Problem Resolution | Quick issue resolution and transparent incident reporting | Delays in communication, passing blame |
| Billing Accuracy | Clean, clear invoices with few adjustments | Frequent corrections and unexplained charges |
| Technology Integration | TMS access, real-time visibility, and reporting tools | Relying on spreadsheets or slow manual updates |
If your current broker is falling short on multiple standards, it may be time to consider new options. Look for partners with up-to-date broker authority, valid insurance coverage, a surety bond or broker bond in place, and formal training programs to ensure they can provide reliable logistics services.
Assessing Communication & Coordination with Your Freight Yard Manager
Your freight yard manager plays a key role in operational flow. They are the frontline contact for ensuring that your broker’s plans are executed correctly on the ground, especially when coordinating complex third-party pickups, limited liability company arrangements, or sole proprietorship operations. Their attention to detail helps reduce bottlenecks and keeps your shipping schedule on track.
Here’s a checklist to evaluate how well your broker works with them—and how your yard operations coordinator can contribute to more seamless operations overall:
✅ Do they notify the yard manager of schedule changes in advance?
✅ Do they ensure drivers follow site-specific procedures and loading rules?
✅ Do they provide correct load documents on time?
✅ Do they communicate clearly about detention risks or load delays?
✅ Do they help resolve on-site issues quickly and professionally?
Strong collaboration between your freight brokerage and your freight yard manager reduces loading delays, improves turnaround times, and lowers accessorial charges. Your freight yard manager can also help you track site-specific metrics that reveal how efficiently your broker handles on-site logistics.
Measuring Freight Consolidation Efficiency and Savings
Freight consolidation helps you cut costs and reduce waste. It also plays a major role in streamlining scheduling and improving warehouse efficiency for both shippers and receivers. But is your broker doing it effectively? Use this process to find out if your freight consolidation approach is truly cost-effective:
Step 1: Review Shipment Frequency
If you’re shipping small loads too often, your broker may not be consolidating effectively.
Step 2: Analyze Cost Per Load
Compare consolidated vs. non-consolidated shipments. Freight consolidation should lead to lower costs per unit shipped.
Step 3: Check Load Fill Rates
Look at how full the trucks are. Efficient freight management means optimizing space without risking damage.
Step 4: Evaluate Transit Time Changes
Has consolidation slowed delivery too much? The best freight brokerage partners balance speed and savings.
Step 5: Compare Savings to Projections
Review the original consolidation proposal. Are they delivering the savings promised? If not, ask why.
Properly measuring your freight consolidation efforts ensures you’re getting the cost-efficiency you paid for—not just a sales pitch. Companies that prioritize freight consolidation often gain more reliable transit schedules and reduced detention fees. These gains contribute to better freight management strategies that support long-term logistics performance.
Choose a Partner That Grows With You
We understand how difficult it can be to measure the true performance of a freight brokerage partner—especially when expectations and results don’t always align.
That’s why Supply Chain Solutions provides expert support, clear benchmarks, and full transparency to help you make smarter decisions about your freight management.
From improving communication with your freight yard manager to maximizing freight consolidation savings, our team works with you to streamline your operations and ensure every load adds value. Whether you’re managing office equipment deliveries or balancing contract and spot rates, we help align your freight yard manager’s processes with broader transportation logistics goals.
Call us now to find out how we can help your logistics team take the lead.
