Import Logistics Specialist

All jobs at Southern Champion Tray (SCT) require Team members to act in accordance with the shared Core Values and Operating principles of the company as they perform specific job functions. These include:

• Trustworthy – We strive for our actions to match our words in all our relationships.
• Servant – Hearted – We enable and empower our team to serve the needs of customers, Team members, suppliers, and the community.
• Relational – We aim to build healthy relationships while fostering an environment that promotes compassion, balance, and personal and professional growth.
• Resourceful – We value strategic insourcing, first looking to create solutions internally, and then looking to apply that knowledge to future opportunities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY:

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Logistics Specialist to join our dynamic team. The Logistics Specialist will play a pivotal role in optimizing our international supply chain operations, with a primary focus on managing overseas full container shipments, coordinating and consolidating product importation from multiple ports to various global destinations, and collaborating effectively with freight forwarders to ensure seamless logistics processes.

SECONDARY Additional RESPONSIBILITY:

• Oversee and manage the end-to-end logistics process for overseas full container shipments, including coordinating with suppliers, freight forwarders, and carriers to ensure timely and cost-effective transportation of goods.
• Facilitate the consolidation and importation of products from port to port, ensuring compliance with customs regulations, tariff classifications, and import/export documentation requirements.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with freight forwarders, carriers, and other logistics partners to negotiate competitive freight rates, optimize shipping routes, and resolve any transportation-related issues.
• Manage government processes for maintaining confidentiality of all container shipments, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and security protocols.
• Communicate proactively with internal and external customers to provide timely updates on shipment status, address inquiries, and resolve any logistics-related issues or concerns.
• Maintain reports to ensure vendor scorecards for suppliers, freight forwarders, and carriers, tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, lead times, and quality metrics.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with the strategic sourcing team, production planning, inventory management, and other departments to align logistics strategies with overall business objectives and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Stay abreast of industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies in international logistics and transportation to identify opportunities for process optimization and cost savings.
• Prepare and analyze logistics performance metrics for purchased products, KPIs, and reports to assess operational efficiency, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven recommendations for enhancement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Bachelor’s degree in Global Logistics Management, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Professional certification for international shipments is a plus. Four or more years of experience in logistics management, with a focus on international freight forwarding, full container shipments, and port operations. In-depth knowledge of international trade regulations, customs compliance, INCO terms, and import/export documentation requirements. Strong negotiation skills with the ability to secure competitive freight rates, optimize shipping routes, and drive cost savings initiatives. Proficiency in using logistics management software, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint). Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities with a keen attention to detail. Proactive mindset with a demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and adapt to changing priorities seamlessly. Strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively while managing multiple projects simultaneously.