The Manager - Freight Forwarding Planning & Strategy role leads logistics and project management for strategic customers, focusing on plant set up and heavy industry projects. The Manager collaborates closely with procurement, existing vendors, and internal teams to identify, evaluate, and onboard qualified logistics providers through thorough due diligence, ensuring timely, compliant, and cost-effective execution of logistics solutions aligned with project goals.
Requirements
- Lead end-to-end logistics management for strategic customer cargo, including import/export and inland transportation
- Oversee planning and coordination of Mississippi River levee crossings, including permits, routing, and vendor qualification
- Identify, evaluate, and develop partnerships with oversized and super load transport providers capable of handling heavy-haul project requirements
- Conduct comprehensive due diligence on logistics vendors, including barge operators, levee crossing specialists, inland trucking companies, and specialized oversized cargo carriers
- Collaborate with existing vendors, procurement teams, and other relevant internal departments to discover new vendor opportunities and conduct joint due diligence activities
- Support plant setup and equipment installation projects by securing logistics providers with proven capabilities
- Analyze logistics performance metrics and generate reports to drive continuous improvement
- Ensure compliance with US customs, DOT, environmental regulations, and applicable laws
- Serve as the primary liaison between strategic customers, internal teams, affiliate partners, and external vendors to align logistics and project objectives
- Perform market research and source emerging specialized providers for levee crossings, barge transport, oversized cargo, and super load logistics
- Prepare business proposals, cost analyses, and presentations to support strategic initiatives and business development
- Coordinate with regulatory bodies to obtain necessary permits and ensure full compliance
- Work closely with engineering, construction, project management, and procurement teams to synchronize logistics plans with project schedules and technical requirements
- Maintain accurate records of vendor qualifications, contracts, permits, performance data, and compliance documentation
- Monitor industry trends, regulatory changes, and infrastructure developments impacting specialized logistics
- Identify and mitigate risks related to oversized and super load transport operations
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction
Benefits
- Medical Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Health Care & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- Basic Life and AD&D as well as Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
- Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick leave
- Pet Insurance
- Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance
- Wellness Program and Gym Reimbursement*
- 401(k) with Generous Matching
- Referral Bonuses*
- Auto Allowance*
- Quarterly Employee Lunches, Summer Refreshments, and Monthly Team Building Activities*
- Discretionary Bonuses*
- Tuition Reimbursement*
