POSITION SUMMARY:The Senior Global Logistics Planner develops and manages transportation plans for VIRA programs, balancing total freight cost with client delivery commitments. The role plans cargo movement from suppliers and manufacturing locations in Asia, including China and Vietnam, through final delivery to third-party logistics providers (3PLs), retail stores, or VIRA's Texas facilities.
This position owns shipping strategy, cost analysis, schedule alignment, and shipment visibility. Working closely with Product, Project Management, Account Management, and regional logistics teams, the planner translates production schedules and client requirements into executable shipping plans and monitors performance through final delivery. This is a hands-on planning and execution role. The Senior Global Logistics Planner is expected to maintain end-to-end ownership of assigned programs, from initial transportation planning through shipment execution, customs clearance, final delivery, and program closeout. As supporting logistics capabilities develop, this position will also establish repeatable processes, provide step-by-step direction, and train coordinators and regional teams to support execution.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:- Develop program logistics plans that define shipping mode, route, cargo release dates, delivery sequence, destination, transit assumptions, and schedule buffers.
- Evaluate air, ocean, and domestic transportation options, including full-container and less-than-container shipments, consolidation, and split shipments, to meet delivery commitments at the best total cost.
- Compare delivery through a 3PL, direct to store, or through VIRA facilities, considering handling requirements, receiving capacity, storage, and final delivery needs.
- Build freight estimates and budgets; analyze transportation, handling, storage, and accessorial charges; track actual costs against approved plans and explain variances.
- Partner with Product and Asia teams to confirm cargo readiness, quantities, dimensions, weight, packaging, and production completion dates before finalizing shipping plans.
- Align with Project Management and Account Management on client deadlines, store delivery requirements, installation schedules, and changes affecting cost or timing.
- Execute and close assigned logistics programs end-to-end, including obtaining and evaluating freight quotes, booking transportation and related services, coordinating capacity and shipment release with freight forwarders, carriers, regional logistics teams, and 3PLs, monitoring milestones, following up with service providers, resolving exceptions, confirming final delivery, and completing shipment closeout within approved authority.
- Maintain a shared shipment tracker with milestones, estimated arrival dates, delivery status, costs, risks, and responsible owners; provide clear updates to stakeholders.
- Identify delays, missed sailing or flight connections, customs holds, and receiving constraints early; develop recovery options and escalate cost or delivery tradeoffs for approval.
- Partner directly with VIRA's China and regional teams, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other service providers to gather, prepare, validate, and coordinate commercial invoices, packing lists, shipping instructions, customs documentation, and other information required for clearance and delivery.
- Establish program-specific logistics processes based on customer requirements, product characteristics, shipping mode, destination, delivery requirements, and required service levels; document clear workflows, responsibilities, and escalation procedures. Develop shipping coordinators and supporting teams by providing step-by-step execution instructions, training, documentation, and ongoing guidance, gradually transitioning repeatable execution activities as capabilities develop while retaining accountability for successful program delivery.
PERFORMANCE AND CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT:- Track on-time delivery against agreed dates, freight cost versus budget, avoidable expedited freight, shipment visibility, and carrier and 3PL performance.
- Analyze recurring delays and cost drivers; improve routing, consolidation, shipment planning, and freight partner performance.
- Lead logistics reviews for active programs and capture lessons learned after major deliveries to improve future plans.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:This position has no direct reports.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS:- Demonstrated experience planning cargo movement from Asia to the United States using both ocean and air freight.
- Working knowledge of container utilization, consolidation, freight pricing, Incoterms, customs brokerage coordination, and domestic delivery requirements.
- Experience coordinating with freight forwarders, carriers, 3PLs, suppliers, and internal stakeholders across multiple locations and time zones.
- Strong analytical skills, including advanced Excel proficiency and experience comparing shipping scenarios, managing freight budgets, and reporting shipment performance.
- Ability to manage multiple programs, anticipate risks, resolve delivery issues, and communicate recommendations clearly to commercial and operational teams.
REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:- Five or more years of progressive experience in international logistics, freight forwarding, transportation planning, or a related supply chain role, including independent ownership of complex shipments.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, business, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:- Retail fixture, display, manufacturing, or store rollout programs with firm delivery or installation dates.
- Direct-to-store delivery planning and coordination of receiving appointments, delivery windows, and special handling requirements.
- Transportation management systems, ERP systems, or logistics reporting tools; Epicor experience is a plus.
OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS:- Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear.
- Ability to operate a computer keyboard and other standard office equipment.
- Ability to read and interpret shipping documentation, logistics reports, and other business materials.
- Ability to communicate effectively by telephone, email, and other electronic communication methods.
- Ability to work across multiple time zones as business needs require.
The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or physical requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
