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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Inbound Logistics Coordinator

💰 $45,000 - $65,000

LogisticsSupply ChainOperationsTransportation

🎯 Role Definition

The Inbound Logistics Coordinator is responsible for managing and optimizing all inbound transportation and receiving activities to ensure on-time, cost-effective delivery of materials and finished goods to distribution centers and manufacturing sites. This role coordinates carrier selection and scheduling, enforces vendor compliance, manages ASN/PO reconciliation, supports customs and import compliance, and drives continuous improvement in inbound processes using ERP/WMS tools and data analytics.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator / Shipping & Receiving Clerk
  • Customer Service Representative with logistics exposure
  • Warehouse Associate with coordination responsibilities

Advancement To:

  • Senior Inbound Logistics Coordinator
  • Logistics Supervisor / Lead
  • Supply Chain Planner

Lateral Moves:

  • Inventory Analyst
  • Transportation Planner
  • 3PL Account Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Coordinate daily inbound freight operations across multiple carriers (LTL, TL, parcel, intermodal), including tendering, rate verification, booking confirmations and monitoring to ensure shipments arrive on schedule and within budget.
  • Manage the end-to-end purchase order (PO) receipt process: validate ASN and PO details, confirm quantities and SKUs, update ERP/WMS records, and escalate discrepancies for timely resolution.
  • Schedule and manage dock appointments and receiving windows with internal warehouses and external 3PL partners to optimize throughput, minimize detention and reduce dwell time.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for suppliers and carriers on inbound shipment status, changes, routing instructions, and exceptions, maintaining professional communication and timely follow-up.
  • Audit incoming freight invoices and freight bills in partnership with finance/freight audit teams to ensure accurate billing, tariff compliance, and timely payment; initiate claims for overcharges, damage or shortage when necessary.
  • Monitor vendor compliance to packaging, labeling and ASN/EDI requirements; coordinate corrective action plans and perform supplier performance reviews to improve on-time and accurate delivery metrics.
  • Track and report inbound logistics KPIs (on-time delivery, dock-to-stock cycle time, ASN accuracy, receiving efficiency, freight cost per unit) and present insights to supply chain leadership to drive continuous improvement.
  • Create and maintain shipment routing guides, carrier lane assignments and preferred carrier agreements based on cost, service levels and capacity needs; negotiate rates and service terms as needed.
  • Maintain EDI/ASN integrations with suppliers and 3PL partners, troubleshoot transmission errors, and work with IT/ERP teams to resolve system-related issues affecting inbound flows.
  • Ensure import and customs clearance documentation is accurate and complete for international shipments; coordinate with customs brokers and compliance teams on duties, classification, and regulatory filings.
  • Manage exception resolution workflows for damaged, short, or over-shipments: document root cause, coordinate returns or rework, and implement preventive measures with suppliers.
  • Coordinate cross-dock and consolidation activities to maximize load efficiency, reduce freight spend and improve lead times in fast-moving SKUs or time-sensitive shipments.
  • Maintain accurate yard and trailer status records to support real-time visibility of inbound assets and reduce detention and trailer idle time.
  • Collaborate with inventory control and warehouse operations to reconcile physical receipts with system inventory, support cycle counts and ensure accurate on-hand quantities.
  • Support demand planning and production by communicating inbound shipment risks or delays and recommending mitigation plans such as expedite options, alternate suppliers, or temporary transfers.
  • Lead or participate in inbound continuous improvement projects (lean, 5S, Kaizen) to streamline receiving processes, reduce touchpoints, and improve first-pass accuracy.
  • Coordinate with procurement on supplier lead time performance, expedite requests, and vendor scorecards to align purchasing strategies with inbound logistics capabilities.
  • Prepare and maintain accurate documentation and audit trails for inbound transportation activities, import compliance and supplier performance metrics; ensure data integrity in ERP/WMS systems.
  • Monitor capacity constraints and seasonal volume spikes; proactively secure carrier capacity, negotiate seasonal contracts and manage contingency plans to minimize disruptions.
  • Conduct root cause analysis for recurring inbound exceptions using data from WMS/ERP and propose process updates, training or system changes to address systemic issues.
  • Facilitate onboarding and performance reviews for third-party logistics (3PL) inbound services; enforce SLA metrics and respond to operational escalations to protect service levels.
  • Implement and manage cost control initiatives such as freight consolidation, pallet optimization, and mode shift opportunities to reduce total landed cost.
  • Coordinate with quality assurance and warehouse QA teams on inspection holds, supplier non-conformances and dispositioning of inbound materials.
  • Maintain up-to-date knowledge of transportation regulations, Incoterms, customs requirements and industry best practices to ensure compliant and efficient inbound operations.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
  • Assist cross-functional teams (procurement, production planning, customer service) with inbound logistics data and status updates.
  • Help prepare monthly operational summaries and presentations for supply chain leadership, highlighting risks and opportunities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Experience with ERP and WMS systems (e.g., SAP MM/WM, Oracle, Manhattan, JDA) for PO receiving and inventory reconciliation.
  • Proficient with EDI/ASN processes and common EDI messages (850/855/856/945) and tools for supplier integration.
  • Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, macros) for analysis and reporting; familiarity with Power BI or Tableau a plus.
  • Knowledge of transportation management systems (TMS) and freight audit/payment platforms.
  • Practical experience negotiating carrier rates and managing LTL/TL/parcel contracts and freight tenders.
  • Import and customs compliance knowledge including Incoterms, HTS classification, and coordination with customs brokers.
  • Ability to create and interpret shipping/routing guides, bills of lading and commercial invoices.
  • Familiarity with 3PL operations, yard management, cross-dock processes and carrier SLA enforcement.
  • Basic SQL or data query capability for extracting logistics metrics from databases is advantageous.
  • Experience with claims management and freight damage/shortage resolution processes.

Soft Skills

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for vendor, carrier and cross-functional coordination.
  • Excellent organization and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple inbound shipments under tight deadlines.
  • Problem-solving mindset with demonstrated ability to investigate root causes and drive corrective actions.
  • Negotiation and vendor relationship management skills to secure service levels and cost efficiencies.
  • Attention to detail and high level of accuracy handling PO/ASN reconciliation and invoicing.
  • Customer-focused orientation with the ability to balance operational needs and stakeholder expectations.
  • Analytical mindset and comfort working with metrics to influence process improvements.
  • Proactive, results-driven approach and ability to work independently while escalating appropriately.
  • Adaptability to dynamic shipping environments and capacity fluctuations.
  • Team player who can collaborate across procurement, warehouse, transportation and finance.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or related field; or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, or Industrial Engineering.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management
  • Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of inbound logistics, transportation coordination, or warehouse receiving experience.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years experience managing inbound freight and vendor shipping processes in manufacturing, retail or third-party logistics environments.
  • Demonstrated experience with ERP/WMS systems, EDI/ASN integrations, and freight cost control programs.
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