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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Logistics Management Specialist

💰 $ - $

LogisticsSupply ChainOperations

🎯 Role Definition

A Logistics Management Specialist is a mid-to-senior supply chain practitioner responsible for designing, executing and optimizing transportation, warehousing and distribution activities. This role coordinates carriers and vendors, manages inventory flow, enforces compliance with customs and trade regulations, drives cost-saving initiatives, and provides data-driven performance reporting to stakeholders. The specialist acts as the operational owner for logistics projects, technology deployments (TMS/WMS), and service-level agreements (SLAs), ensuring high service quality and scalable logistics processes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Supply Chain Analyst
  • Warehouse Supervisor

Advancement To:

  • Logistics Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Operations Manager
  • Director of Logistics / Distribution

Lateral Moves:

  • Transportation Planner
  • Inventory Manager
  • Procurement Specialist
  • Customer Fulfillment Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute end-to-end transportation plans for domestic and international shipments, selecting optimal carriers, modes and routes to meet delivery windows while minimizing cost and transit time.
  • Manage carrier relationships including qualification, rate negotiation, contract management, service level agreements (SLAs) and quarterly performance reviews to ensure capacity, reliability and competitive pricing.
  • Lead day-to-day shipment execution and freight management, including booking, tracking, exception resolution, and escalation to ensure 99%+ on-time delivery to customers and distribution centers.
  • Optimize network distribution and routing using TMS/WMS analytics and route planning tools to reduce empty miles, consolidate loads, and improve load factor and fuel efficiency.
  • Act as the central point of contact for customs brokerage and international trade compliance: prepare, verify and file import/export documentation (commercial invoices, bills of lading, HS codes), coordinate with brokers and ensure compliance with Incoterms and customs regulations.
  • Oversee inbound logistics and supplier inbound planning, coordinating cross-docking, pre-receiving and appointment scheduling to minimize detention, demurrage and receiving delays.
  • Implement and maintain inventory control processes focused on accuracy, cycle counts, shrinkage reduction and ABC analysis; work with inventory planning to ensure optimal stock levels and avoid stockouts or overstock.
  • Drive continuous improvement projects using Lean, Kaizen or Six Sigma methodologies to reduce lead times, lower freight spend, and streamline warehouse and transportation processes.
  • Build, monitor and report logistics KPIs (OTD, freight cost per unit, dwell time, inventory turns, on-time pick/pack accuracy) and present insights and action plans to operations leadership.
  • Lead cross-functional planning with procurement, production planning, sales and customer service to align demand forecasting, capacity and logistics execution for peak seasons and promotions.
  • Manage reverse logistics and returns processes, including return authorizations, disposition strategies (repair, refurbish, recycle), and cost recovery, to maximize asset recovery and customer satisfaction.
  • Supervise third-party logistics providers (3PL/4PL) and on-site warehouse partners, performing operational audits, SLA enforcement and continuous performance coaching.
  • Create and maintain accurate freight cost allocation models, invoicing reconciliation, freight bill audit and payment workflows to ensure accurate P&L impact and eliminate billing discrepancies.
  • Develop logistics contingency and risk management plans for disruptions (weather, port congestion, carrier capacity shortages), including alternative routing, safety stock adjustments and expedited solutions.
  • Lead logistics technology implementation efforts (TMS, WMS, transportation optimization software), including requirements gathering, vendor evaluation, testing, change management and end-user training.
  • Coordinate hazardous materials (HAZMAT) handling and documentation in accordance with DOT/IATA/IMDG regulations where applicable, ensuring proper packaging, labeling and carrier compliance.
  • Plan and execute seasonal and promotional logistics capacity planning, including chartering, volume hedging, and temporary storage/fulfillment solutions to meet demand surges.
  • Execute cost-to-serve analysis and logistics network modeling to identify strategic opportunities for consolidation, nearshoring, or mode shifts and provide recommendations to senior leadership.
  • Manage vendor performance and onboarding, conduct quarterly business reviews and implement corrective action plans to address chronic service shortfalls.
  • Lead root cause analysis on logistics exceptions and freight claims, driving corrective actions and supplier/carrier accountability to reduce recurring failures.
  • Prepare and maintain SOPs, work instructions and training materials for logistics teams to ensure consistency, compliance and scalability in operations.
  • Ensure compliance with corporate sustainability and carbon reduction initiatives by identifying mode-shift opportunities, load consolidation, and partnering with carriers on emissions reporting.

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 finance with monthly accruals for freight and inventory costing and provide variance explanations as needed.
  • Provide operational support for special projects such as distribution center openings, SKU rationalization, and vendor transitions.
  • Support customer escalations involving shipment delays, damages or compliance issues and coordinate resolution with all stakeholders.
  • Conduct periodic compliance audits and support internal/external logistics audits and certifications.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Transportation Management Systems (TMS) — experience configuring, operating or implementing systems such as Oracle Transportation Management, MercuryGate, Blue Yonder, or project44.
  • Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) — working knowledge of WMS platforms (Manhattan, HighJump, Blue Yonder) and integration with TMS/ERP.
  • Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems — SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or Microsoft Dynamics experience for order-to-cash and procure-to-pay flows.
  • Freight rate negotiation and contract management — RFP creation, lane modeling, spot market management and carrier scorecards.
  • International trade and customs compliance — import/export documentation, HTS/HS codes, CIF/FOB/EXW Incoterms, duties and broker coordination.
  • Data analysis and reporting — advanced Excel (pivot tables, vlookups, macros), SQL querying, and visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau) to extract insights and build dashboards.
  • Inventory management and demand planning tools — experience with MRP logic, safety stock calculations and inventory optimization techniques.
  • Logistics cost modeling and freight bill audit tools — experience with freight pay & audit platforms and cost-to-serve analysis.
  • Regulatory knowledge — DOT, IATA, IMDG, OSHA and HAZMAT handling requirements where applicable.
  • Project management — planning and executing logistics transformation projects, including vendor selection, UAT and change management.
  • Routing and optimization tools — route planning, load building, multi-stop optimization and multi-modal planning principles.
  • Claims management — freight damage, loss claims process, investigation and recovery.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional communication and stakeholder management to coordinate cross-functional teams, vendors and executive leadership.
  • Strong analytical problem solving and root-cause diagnosis with a bias for data-driven decisions.
  • Negotiation and conflict resolution skills to secure capacity and favorable commercial terms with carriers and suppliers.
  • Time management and prioritization in a fast-paced, high-volume operational environment.
  • Attention to detail and process orientation to ensure compliance and accuracy in documentation and billing.
  • Leadership and coaching ability to influence distributed teams and 3PL partners without direct authority.
  • Adaptability and resilience to manage disruptions and rapidly changing supply chain conditions.
  • Customer-focused mindset with emphasis on service recovery and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborative team player who can work effectively with procurement, warehousing, planning, finance and sales.
  • Strategic mindset to translate operational performance into long-term network and cost improvements.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

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

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree in Supply Chain/Logistics, MBA, or advanced certificate (APICS/ASCM CSCP, CLTD).
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), Six Sigma or PMP are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 3–7 years of progressive logistics, transportation or warehousing experience for mid-level roles; 7+ years for senior specialist positions.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience managing multi-modal freight, 3PL relationships, and international shipments.
  • Experience with TMS/WMS implementation or optimization projects.
  • Track record of measurable cost savings, process improvements, and successful logistics projects.
  • Prior exposure to customs, import/export documentation and global trade compliance.
  • Experience working with ERP systems (SAP/Oracle/NetSuite) and strong Excel/data analysis capabilities.
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