The Opportunity:The 4PL Area Manager is a traditional Area Manager role with one structural difference: your operations are run by external 3PL/4PL partners, not a Flexport-owned facility. You are Flexport's representative at those sites - holding partners to our SLA standards, system requirements, and SOPs. Beyond core Area Manager responsibilities, this role owns forecasting coordination with partners, 3PL/4PL invoice approval, and building out how the 4PL operating model works at Flexport. The role is intentionally dynamic - you'll help define it as the program scales.
You will:- Operational Execution:
- Be Flexport's primary POC for assigned 3PL/4PL partners; travel to sites to inspect operations and hold partners accountable to SLAs across receiving, shipping, inventory accuracy, and packing quality
- Coach and support teams of 30-100 at partner facilities; enforce Flexport policies, SOPs, and compliance requirements and drive corrective action when needed
- Own performance reporting and serve as escalation point for operational issues and cross-functional troubleshooting
- Forecasting & Capacity Planning: Receive SNOP forecasts and own the process of sharing them with partners; confirm labor plans and capacity align to projected demand and surface risks before they impact merchant SLAs
- Process & Systems Compliance: Ensure partners follow Flexport SOPs, use our WMS correctly, and maintain safety and loss prevention standards; capture learnings to evolve the 4PL operating model
- Billing & Invoice Management: Review and approve 3PL/4PL invoices for accuracy and resolve discrepancies with partner teams
- Build the Function: Document and define how Flexport works with 4PL partners - processes, escalation paths, coverage models, and performance standards - and drive long-term network improvements
You Should Have: - 2+ years managing a team of 5 or more in a fulfillment, warehouse, or 3PL environment
- Valid passport and willingness to travel to partner sites, including internationally
- Proven ability to hold external partners accountable without direct authority
- Strong communication skills - you are Flexport's voice to these partners
- Experience building structure and process in ambiguous, fast-paced environments
- Strong problem-solving, data analysis, and prioritization skills; proficiency in Google Sheets / Excel
Nice-to-Haves:
- Experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)
- 3PL/4PL vendor management or multi-site operations oversight
- Experience building SOPs or operational processes from scratch
- International logistics or supply chain experience
This Role Requires:
- Travel: You will visit partner sites regularly, including international locations. A valid passport is required.
- Availability: 4PL partners run 7 days a week. You'll need to be reachable outside standard business hours and manage your own time to match.
