Logistics Manager

Aston Carter•Ferndale, MI

11d•$90,000 - $105,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Logistics Manager oversees end-to-end shipping, transportation, and warehouse activities, ensuring reliable, compliant, and efficient movement of products. This role manages a small team, develops and maintains carrier relationships, and drives continuous improvement in logistics processes, customs compliance, and environmental performance. The Logistics Manager plays a key role in preventing product, service, and process non-conformances while meeting customer expectations through well-defined, repeatable processes.

Requirements

Approximately 6+ years of experience in shipping, dispatch, and/or logistics, preferably in a role with broad responsibility across transportation and warehouse operations.
Demonstrated experience managing people, including direct supervision of a team (this role will manage a team of about four employees).
Proven experience negotiating with contractors and shipping companies to secure favorable rates, service levels, and terms.
Strong working knowledge of exports and international shipping requirements, including documentation and regulatory considerations.
Hands-on experience in logistics, supply chain, shipping and receiving, transportation, freight coordination, inventory management, dispatch, and warehouse management.
Experience supervising shipping and warehouse operations, including oversight of daily activities and resolution of operational issues.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools to manage documentation, reporting, communication, and analysis related to logistics and compliance.
Ability to take action and make decisions during occasional calls on nights and weekends to resolve urgent logistics or shipping issues.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, apply structured methods, and implement effective solutions.
Attention to detail and accuracy in managing records, documentation, and compliance-related activities.
Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with carriers, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
Awareness of environmental impacts associated with logistics operations and willingness to support environmental objectives and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

Hazardous waste logistics or handling experience is highly desirable and considered a strong plus.
Experience developing or supporting customs compliance programs and internal audit processes.
Background in commercial invoice and certificate of origin review for international shipments.
Familiarity with continuous improvement practices in logistics, such as process optimization and performance measurement.
Comfort working in a fast-paced environment where priorities can shift based on customer and operational needs.
Strong communication skills to coordinate effectively with internal teams, carriers, and external partners.
Ability to maintain and organize training records, shipping records, and compliance documentation for audit readiness.

Responsibilities

Perform all duties and responsibilities in alignment with the organization’s vision, mission, quality policy, and environmental management standards.
Follow established, repeatable logistics processes and recommend changes in accordance with internal guidelines to consistently meet customer expectations.
Utilize defined procedures to prevent product, service, and process non-conformances and ensure high quality and reliability in logistics operations.
Identify and record operational problems related to shipping, transportation, inventory, and warehousing, and escalate or address them appropriately.
Apply prescribed problem-solving methods to analyze logistics issues, develop solutions, and implement corrective actions effectively.
Monitor key performance indicators for logistics activities and drive continuous improvement in shipping, inventory, and dispatch operations.
Maintain awareness of significant actual or potential environmental impacts associated with logistics and warehousing activities.
Support improved environmental performance by understanding and contributing to environmental objectives, targets, and continual improvement initiatives.
Understand and follow internal communication procedures and emergency preparedness and response procedures relevant to logistics operations.
Facilitate optimal shipping processes and schedules for daily operations, including handling off-shift urgencies and time-sensitive shipments.
Develop and manage relationships with carriers across various modes of shipping, negotiating appropriate rates and qualifications to support cost-effective and reliable transportation.
Manage purchase orders related to transportation services, process transportation invoices for payment, and resolve any billing or documentation discrepancies.
Coordinate with warehouses to manage inventory and outbound shipments, ensuring accurate records and resolving any discrepancies in counts or shipments.
Lead and manage shipping personnel and activities, including supervising a team of approximately four people, monitoring open orders, and resolving operational issues.
Develop and implement a customs compliance program that meets international and domestic regulatory requirements for exports and other cross-border movements.
Create and refine operational tools and processes that support and improve customs compliance activities across the logistics function.
Manage all required documentation associated with customs compliance, including commercial invoices, certificates of origin, and other regulatory records.
Stay informed on current and pending international customs regulations and compliance updates to ensure the organization maintains ongoing adherence to requirements.
Ensure consistency in customs compliance activities through a value-added internal audit program, including regular review of commercial invoices and certificates of origin.
Formulate and recommend goals and objectives for customs compliance processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and risk management.
Maintain accurate training records for logistics and shipping personnel, as well as shipping records and other documentation required for audits and compliance.
Respond to occasional after-hours calls on nights and weekends to address urgent logistics issues or shipping needs when required.