Role Summary: The Shipping & Logistics Manager will oversee end-to-end shipping, receiving, logistics, warehousing, material handling, distribution, and related systems/tools within a manufacturing environment. This role will manage inbound and outbound logistics operations, carrier selection, shipment planning, third-party warehousing, import/export coordination, inventory accuracy, logistics KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
The position will work closely with the Purchasing, Planning, Manufacturing, Sales, Finance, Product Development, Corporate Transportation, and Import/Export Trade Compliance teams to ensure timely, cost-effective, compliant, and customer-focused logistics operations.
Key Responsibilities: - Direct inbound and outbound logistics operations, including transportation, inventory control, warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.
- Assess and recommend optimal shipping methods, carriers, routing, equipment, and shipment frequency to meet delivery timelines, transportation requirements, and cost targets.
- Recommend carrier base, negotiate competitive rates, and support logistics service agreements and transportation contracts.
- Review shipping notices, bills of lading, invoices, orders, and other records to determine shipping priorities, work assignments, and shipping methods.
- Determine shipment space requirements, truckload planning, routing, and legal load limits based on established schedules and weight limits.
- Maintain logistics metrics, customer service logs, process documentation, safety training records, and operational reporting.
- Monitor import and export processes to support legal, regulatory, and trade compliance requirements.
- Oversee worldwide distribution center operations to ensure cost, productivity, accuracy, and on-time delivery targets are achieved.
- Collaborate with Sales, Order Management, Accounting, Planning, Purchasing, Manufacturing, and Product Development teams to align logistics with business systems and processes.
- Conduct and review audits for storage, distribution, transportation, inventory, and logistics activities.
- Develop and implement methods to maintain accurate inventory levels, including timely and effective cycle count completion.
- Manage logistics RFPs, carrier/service provider reviews, international transportation agreements, and freight forwarder relationships.
- Perform total landed cost analysis and provide regular updates to internal stakeholders.
- Develop and maintain international transportation SOPs with freight forwarders and logistics service providers.
- Drive continuous improvement, good distribution practices, risk mitigation, and contingency planning for critical shipping lanes.
- Evaluate and implement supply chain improvement tools related to cost savings, shipment tracking, visibility, market analysis, and communication processes.
- Monitor logistics provider performance through KPIs, service reviews, and quarterly business reviews.
- Coordinate the claims process for international shipments with freight forwarders and risk management.
- Support global logistics integration projects, including shipping validation, IT systems enablement, trade compliance, and regulatory implementation.
Supervisory Responsibilities: - Directly supervise 4-7 employees within Shipping and Receiving.
- Support interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, work assignment, performance appraisal, coaching, corrective action, and employee issue resolution.
- Ensure team productivity, process discipline, safety compliance, and customer-focused execution.
Required Qualifications: - Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, Operations, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- 10+ years of experience in shipping, logistics, warehouse, distribution, or manufacturing logistics operations.
- Prior supervisory experience managing shipping, receiving, warehouse, or logistics team members.
- Strong understanding of inbound and outbound transportation, carrier management, warehousing, inventory control, and shipment documentation.
- Experience working with bills of lading, invoices, shipping notices, customer orders, freight documentation, and logistics records.
- Knowledge of import/export processes, transportation compliance, routing, load planning, and shipment risk management.
- Ability to develop, monitor, and interpret logistics KPIs related to productivity, overtime, cost, accuracy, service levels, and on-time delivery.
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating instructions, maintenance instructions, procedures, and manuals.
- Ability to write routine reports, correspondence, SOPs, and operational updates.
- Strong numerical ability, including rate, ratio, percentage, basic cost calculations, and KPI interpretation.
- Strong problem-solving ability and sound judgment in standardized and time-sensitive logistics situations.
- Strong oral and written communication skills with the ability to interact with internal teams, vendors, customers, and management.
Preferred Qualifications: - Experience with Microsoft AX, Microsoft SharePoint, database tools, and payroll/operations systems.
- APICS CPIM certification is preferred.
- Compliance, traffic, transportation, or trade compliance certification/training is a plus.
- Valid driver's license preferred.
- Experience with freight forwarders, 3PL providers, international shipping, landed cost analysis, and logistics RFPs.
- Prior experience in a manufacturing, hardware, electronics, OEM/ODM, or technology infrastructure environment is preferred.
Key Competencies: - Customer-focused mindset
- Strong leadership and team development skills
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Attention to detail and documentation discipline
- Analytical thinking and KPI-driven decision-making
- Ability to multitask in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- Resilience and ownership
- Continuous improvement mindset
- Vendor and carrier management
- Compliance and risk awareness
Mandatory SkillsSupply Chain Logistics Management/Shipping Warehouse Operations/Carrier 3PL Management/Transportation Distribution/Import/Export Compliance
