Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Cargo Supply Chain Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

A Cargo Supply Chain Coordinator is responsible for end-to-end execution and continuous improvement of cargo movement across air, ocean, and ground modes. This role manages documentation (BOL, AWB, commercial invoices, packing lists), coordinates with carriers and customs brokers, monitors shipment status, enforces trade and safety compliance (Incoterms, HS codes, hazardous materials rules), and drives on-time delivery and cost-efficiency. The ideal candidate combines strong operational logistics experience with analytical skills, stakeholder communication, and practical knowledge of TMS/WMS and freight systems.

Key search terms: Cargo Supply Chain Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Freight Coordinator, Freight Forwarding, Import/Export Coordinator, Customs Compliance, TMS, WMS, Carrier Management, Freight Documentation.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Logistics Coordinator / Logistics Assistant with 1–2 years’ freight experience
Junior Freight Forwarder / Import-Export Clerk
Warehouse or Inventory Analyst transitioning to operations

Advancement To:

Senior Cargo Coordinator / Lead Logistics Coordinator
Logistics Supervisor or Operations Manager (Transport & Freight)
Supply Chain Manager (Freight & Distribution)

Lateral Moves:

Customs Brokerage Specialist
Freight Procurement / Carrier Procurement Analyst
Trade Compliance Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Oversee daily execution of inbound and outbound cargo shipments across air, ocean, and ground carriers, ensuring shipments meet scheduled departure and arrival windows while proactively resolving exceptions.
Prepare and review all shipment documentation including bills of lading (BOL), air waybills (AWB), commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and export declarations to ensure completeness and regulatory compliance.
Coordinate customs clearance activities with customs brokers, providing accurate HS/tariff codes, commercial paperwork, and any required import/export licenses to prevent clearance delays and fines.
Manage booking and space allocation with carriers and consolidators, negotiate rates and capacity for spot and contract shipments, and optimize carrier mix for cost and service levels.
Monitor shipment status in the Transportation Management System (TMS) / Freight Management System from pickup to final delivery; update stakeholders and escalate delays or deviations immediately.
Execute carrier procurement support including rate comparisons, RFQs, contract implementation, and monitoring of contract compliance (service levels, penalties, minimums).
Coordinate intermodal and cross-docking operations, plan container stuffing/stripping and palletization instructions to maximize cube utilization and minimize demurrage and detention charges.
Manage claims and damage/loss investigations by collecting evidence, liaising with carriers and insurers, preparing and submitting claim documentation, and following up to resolution.
Implement and maintain compliance with Incoterms, hazardous materials regulations (IATA DGR, IMDG), export controls, embargoes, and company trade compliance policies.
Track and analyze shipping KPIs such as on-time performance, dwell time, freight spend per SKU, detention/demurrage costs, and claims rate; prepare weekly/monthly performance reports and dashboards.
Work cross-functionally with procurement, warehouse operations, sales, and customers to coordinate delivery windows, resolve order discrepancies, and support order fulfillment targets.
Support freight consolidation and deconsolidation planning to achieve cost savings and reduce lead times while maintaining inventory and service objectives.
Maintain accurate cargo records in ERP/WMS/TMS systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Manhattan), verify freight invoices against contracts, and support freight bill audit and payment processes.
Apply dimensional weight and tariff rules to calculate accurate freight charges, advise customers on most cost-effective routing, and identify opportunities for zone skipping or route optimization.
Lead day-to-day relationships with third-party logistics providers (3PLs), freight forwarders, and local agents; conduct regular performance reviews and corrective action when SLAs are not met.
Coordinate hazardous goods shipments and ensure proper labeling, documentation, and handling procedures; train internal teams on HAZMAT protocols when required.
Support capacity planning and seasonal load leveling by forecasting freight demand, building contingency plans, and coordinating additional carrier capacity or contract changes.
Manage port and terminal interactions, including container release, return, and container yard/container freight station (CFS) coordination to prevent demurrage and reduce dwell time.
Conduct root-cause analysis for recurring transportation issues and lead or participate in continuous improvement projects (Lean, Six Sigma) to increase throughput and reduce cost.
Ensure export packing, markings, and cradle-to-grave traceability for high-value shipments and specialized cargo (temperature-sensitive, oversized, or dangerous goods).
Provide proactive customer service: communicate schedules, invoice clarifications, and delay notifications, and maintain accurate SLA and service-level communication logs.
Support audits and compliance reviews by internal or external auditors; prepare required documentation and implement remediation actions to maintain certifications and legal compliance.
Maintain and update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cargo handling, freight payment, and exception management to support consistent operational execution.
Provide mentorship and on-the-job training to junior logistics staff, temporary workers, and cross-functional stakeholders on shipping processes, systems, and compliance requirements.

Secondary Functions

Maintain shipment data hygiene across ERP/TMS/WMS, ensuring accurate master data for vendors, locations, and SKUs to support analytics and forecasting.
Support ad-hoc logistics and freight cost analysis using Excel pivot tables, basic SQL queries, or BI tools to inform negotiation and routing decisions.
Contribute to the organization’s continuous improvement roadmap by documenting pain points, recommending automation (EDI, API integrations), and piloting TMS enhancements.
Collaborate with IT and systems teams on EDI, API, or TMS integrations to reduce manual data entry, accelerate document interchange with carriers, and improve tracking granularity.
Assist with disaster recovery and continuity plans for logistics disruptions (carrier strikes, port closures, extreme weather) by executing pre-defined contingency playbooks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Freight operations across air, ocean, and ground modes (multimodal scheduling and coordination).
Import/export documentation mastery: BOL, AWB, commercial invoice, packing list, certificates of origin, export declarations.
Trade compliance and tariff classification (HS codes) knowledge; familiarity with customs brokerage processes.
Transportation Management Systems (TMS) experience (e.g., SAP TM, Oracle TMS, Descartes, MercuryGate, BluJay).
Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP fundamentals (SAP ECC/S4, Oracle, Manhattan).
Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and API integrations for shipment notices (ASN), booking confirmations, and invoice transmissions.
Rate quoting, carrier tendering, and freight procurement experience; ability to run RFQs and compare landed cost scenarios.
Freight audit and payment procedures; experience with freight bill validation and dispute resolution.
Advanced Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros) and basic data analysis; familiarity with BI tools (Power BI, Tableau) preferred.
Knowledge of Incoterms, IATA DGR, IMDG, and HAZMAT shipping regulations.
Basic SQL or data-querying ability to extract shipment and cost datasets (preferred).
Claims handling and insurance coordination for cargo loss or damage incidents.

Soft Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication with customers, carriers, and internal stakeholders.
Strong organization and time management with the ability to prioritize under pressure.
Problem-solving and critical thinking—able to make decisions quickly during escalations.
Negotiation skills and commercial acumen for rate discussions and contract optimization.
Attention to detail and accuracy when preparing legal and customs documentation.
Adaptability and resilience to handle shifting priorities in a dynamic logistics environment.
Team player who can collaborate across procurement, warehouse, sales, and finance functions.
Customer-service orientation with the ability to de-escalate issues and maintain long-term relationships.
Analytical mindset with a focus on KPI-driven improvements and cost-reduction initiatives.
Leadership and coaching ability for mentoring junior staff or cross-functional training.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or equivalent with 2+ years of related logistics experience.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, International Trade, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics & Transportation
International Business / Trade Compliance
Operations Management
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years in freight forwarding, logistics coordination, or transportation operations supporting multimodal shipments.

Preferred:

3–5+ years managing international cargo movements, customs interactions, and TMS usage; experience with carrier procurement and claims administration is highly desirable.
Certifications a plus: IATA Dangerous Goods, Certified Customs Specialist, CITT, APICS CSCP, Lean/Six Sigma Yellow/Green Belt.