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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Cargo Supply Chain Manager

💰 $ - $

LogisticsSupply ChainTransportationOperationsMaritimeAir Freight

🎯 Role Definition

The Cargo Supply Chain Manager is responsible for designing, executing and continuously improving the end-to-end flow of imported and exported cargo across air, ocean and ground modes. This role leads carrier and 3PL relationships, negotiates freight contracts, drives compliance with customs and safety regulations (IATA, IMO, DOT, CBP), and delivers measurable cost, service and reliability improvements through data-driven decision making, process standardization and cross-functional leadership. The Cargo Supply Chain Manager is a hands-on strategist who balances day-to-day operational delivery with medium- and long-term capacity, resilience and sustainability planning.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator / Logistics Analyst
  • Freight Forwarding Specialist / Export Coordinator
  • Supply Chain Analyst / Transportation Planner

Advancement To:

  • Senior Supply Chain Manager / Head of Logistics
  • Director of Global Supply Chain / Director of Transportation
  • VP of Operations or VP of Global Logistics

Lateral Moves:

  • Procurement / Supplier Relationship Manager
  • 3PL Account Director / Carrier Partnerships Lead
  • Warehouse & Distribution Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute a global cargo strategy that aligns carrier selection, mode optimization and routing decisions with corporate cost, service and sustainability objectives; deliver quantified annual savings and service-level improvements.
  • Lead end-to-end freight procurement and carrier contract negotiations (ocean, air, rail, truck) including rate agreements, space allocations, accessorial terms and performance SLAs; manage renewals and RFP processes.
  • Manage day-to-day import/export operations and oversight of customs clearance processes, partnering with customs brokers to ensure timely filings, accurate HS classifications, valuation, duties, and regulatory compliance.
  • Oversee relationships with 3PLs, freight forwarders and carriers; set performance KPIs, conduct quarterly business reviews and implement corrective action plans to resolve service failures and claims.
  • Optimize carrier mix and modal splits using network and mode analysis, cost-to-serve modeling and transit-time trade-off evaluations to improve OTD, reduce dwell and minimize landed cost.
  • Implement and maintain Transportation Management System (TMS) and integrations with ERP/WMS; own master data accuracy (lane rates, carrier contracts, routing guides) and support continuous system improvements.
  • Create and maintain routing guides, SOPs and standard operating procedures for shipments, pickups, cross-dock and consolidation flows; enforce compliance across internal teams and partners.
  • Lead freight claims management and cargo insurance processes, coordinate investigations, and drive root-cause analysis to reduce claims frequency and cost.
  • Manage capacity planning and demand forecasting for peak seasons, product launches and promotional events; develop capacity contingency plans and secure surge capacity with carriers and 3PLs.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma or similar methodologies to reduce lead times, touchpoints, and operating expense while improving throughput and accuracy.
  • Partner with Sales, Procurement, Warehouse and Finance to align on inventory strategies, order fulfillment priorities, customer service levels and freight cost allocation practices.
  • Prepare and present monthly and quarterly transportation performance dashboards (cost per unit, on-time delivery, dwell time, claims rate, carbon emissions) to senior leadership and stakeholders.
  • Ensure compliance with hazardous materials (HAZMAT/DG) regulations, prepare shipping documentation and coordinate necessary training for teams handling regulated cargo.
  • Lead cross-border trade compliance efforts including export controls, sanctions screening, and ensuring adherence to Incoterms and EU/US/other regional trade requirements.
  • Manage annual transportation budget, cost forecasting, and variance analysis; identify and implement cost avoidance and cost reduction initiatives.
  • Execute network redesign projects and mode-shift initiatives (e.g., ocean-to-air mix, intermodal adoption) to achieve service or cost objectives.
  • Conduct carrier and supplier audits, evaluate operational capabilities and financial stability, and lead supplier transition or onboarding when necessary.
  • Drive sustainability initiatives in transportation: emissions reporting, carrier fuel-efficiency programs, modal shifts and packaging optimization for reduced carbon footprint.
  • Support product launch and lifecycle logistics planning including import duty planning, special handling requirements and reverse logistics/returns strategies.
  • Facilitate incident response and disruption management (weather, labor, port congestion) by activating contingency plans, communicating with stakeholders and minimizing customer impact.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of international shipping regulations, trade policy changes, tariffs and sanctions; translate regulatory changes into operational action plans.
  • Mentor and develop a high-performing logistics team; set KPIs, conduct performance reviews and create training roadmaps to build capabilities.
  • Lead continuous vendor performance improvement programs and negotiate performance-based contracts tied to KPIs and service levels.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide ad-hoc operational and financial analysis to support cross-functional business cases and executive decision-making (e.g., landed-cost modelling, route profitability).
  • Contribute to the organization’s transportation and digitalization roadmap; partner with IT on TMS, carrier EDI/API integrations and automation opportunities.
  • Collaborate with procurement and legal to draft and maintain contract templates, NDAs and carrier agreements.
  • Support internal audits, customs audits and 3PL facility audits; implement corrective actions and preventive measures.
  • Design and deliver training materials and SOP updates for warehouse, customer service and procurement teams on shipping processes and compliance topics.
  • Participate in cross-functional supply chain projects such as inventory optimization, S&OP alignment and warehouse network changes.
  • Assist with supplier onboarding, KPI rollouts and supplier scorecards to improve transparency across the logistics ecosystem.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Freight procurement and carrier contract negotiation (ocean, air, truck, rail) with experience running RFPs and awarding lane contracts.
  • Deep knowledge of customs & trade compliance (HS codes, duties, customs brokers, import-export documentation, Incoterms).
  • Hands-on experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) such as Blue Yonder (JDA), Oracle Transportation Management, Descartes, SAP TM, or MercuryGate; strong integration knowledge (EDI/API).
  • Experience with ERP and WMS systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and data synchronization between systems.
  • Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, macros), and experience building dashboards in Power BI, Tableau, or similar BI tools.
  • Carrier and 3PL performance management including KPI design (OTD, dwell time, claims per M shipments, cost per TEU/kg).
  • Knowledge of hazardous materials shipping regulations (IATA DGR, IMDG) and hazardous handling SOPs.
  • Cost-to-serve and landed-cost modelling, mode optimization and transportation network analysis.
  • Familiarity with freight costing & billing processes, freight audit & payment systems and dispute resolution workflows.
  • Project management competency for logistics transformation or digitalization projects; PMP or equivalent experience preferred.
  • Experience with sustainability metrics in transportation (Scope 3 emissions reporting, fuel-efficiency programs).
  • Strong understanding of Incoterms, export controls, sanctions screening and international trade compliance processes.

Soft Skills

  • Strategic thinker with an ability to convert logistics strategy into tactical execution and measurable outcomes.
  • Strong negotiation and commercial skills with a track record of supplier and carrier savings.
  • Excellent cross-functional communication and stakeholder management — able to present to senior leadership and build consensus.
  • Problem solver and crisis manager — calm under pressure with strong decision-making during disruptions.
  • People leader with experience coaching, developing and scaling operations teams.
  • Analytical mindset with attention to detail and comfort working with complex data sets.
  • Change agent, adept at driving process standardization and adoption across dispersed teams.
  • Time management and prioritization skills; ability to balance tactical daily operations with strategic projects.
  • Customer-focused orientation with a commitment to service quality and continuous improvement.
  • Cultural and global awareness; experience working with multinational teams and external partners across regions.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering, International Trade, or related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree (MBA, MSc Supply Chain Management) or relevant post-graduate qualification.
  • Professional certifications such as APICS CSCP/CPIM, CILT, IATA Cargo & Dangerous Goods, Six Sigma or PMP.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration / Finance
  • Industrial or Systems Engineering
  • International Trade & Customs Compliance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 5–10 years progressively responsible experience in logistics, freight operations or supply chain; at least 3 years leading cargo/transport teams or managing carrier/3PL relationships.

Preferred:

  • 8+ years of global freight/cargo experience with proven success in carrier negotiations, customs processes and TMS implementations.
  • Proven track record of delivering freight cost savings, improving on-time delivery and implementing operational improvements across multi-modal networks.
  • Experience working with global supply chains, multi-currency budgets and international regulatory environments.
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