Senior Global Logistics Planner

VIRA Insight•Lewisville, TX

About The Position

The Senior Global Logistics Planner develops and manages transportation plans for VIRA programs, balancing freight costs with client delivery commitments. The role plans cargo movement from suppliers and manufacturing locations in Asia, including China and Vietnam, through final delivery to third-party logistics providers (3PLs), retail stores, or VIRA's Texas facilities. The position owns shipping strategy, cost analysis, schedule alignment, and shipment visibility. Working with Product, Project Management, Account Management, and regional logistics teams, the planner turns production schedules and client requirements into executable shipping plans and monitors performance through final delivery. This is a hands-on planning and execution role with end-to-end ownership of assigned programs, from initial transportation planning through shipment execution, customs clearance, final delivery, and closeout. As logistics capabilities develop, the planner will establish repeatable processes, provide step-by-step direction, and train coordinators and regional teams to support execution. The role has no direct reports.

Requirements

Five or more years of progressive experience in international logistics, freight forwarding, transportation planning, or a related supply chain role, including independent ownership of complex shipments.
Demonstrated experience planning cargo movement from Asia to the United States using both ocean and air freight.
Working knowledge of container utilization, consolidation, freight pricing, Incoterms, customs brokerage coordination, and domestic delivery requirements.
Experience coordinating with freight forwarders, carriers, 3PLs, suppliers, and internal stakeholders across multiple locations and time zones.
Strong analytical skills, including advanced Excel proficiency and experience comparing shipping scenarios, managing freight budgets, and reporting shipment performance.
Ability to manage multiple programs, anticipate risks, resolve delivery issues, and communicate recommendations clearly to commercial and operational teams.
Ability to read and interpret shipping documentation, logistics reports, and other business materials.
Ability to communicate effectively by telephone, email, and other electronic communication methods.
Ability to work across multiple time zones as business needs require.
Ability to operate a computer keyboard and other standard office equipment.
Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, business, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
Experience with retail fixture, display, manufacturing, or store rollout programs with firm delivery or installation dates.
Experience planning and coordinating direct-to-store deliveries, including receiving appointments, delivery windows, and special handling requirements.
Experience with transportation management systems, ERP systems, or logistics reporting tools; Epicor experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop program logistics plans specifying shipping mode, route, cargo release dates, delivery sequence, destination, transit assumptions, and schedule buffers.
Evaluate air, ocean, and domestic transportation options, including full-container and less-than-container shipments, consolidations, and split shipments, to meet delivery commitments at the best total cost.
Compare delivery through a 3PL, direct to store, or VIRA facilities, considering handling requirements, receiving capacity, storage, and final delivery needs.
Build freight estimates and budgets; analyze transportation, handling, storage, and accessorial charges; track actual costs against approved plans and explain variances.
Partner with Product and Asia teams to confirm cargo readiness, quantities, dimensions, weight, packaging, and production completion dates before finalizing shipping plans.
Align with Project Management and Account Management on client deadlines, store delivery requirements, installation schedules, and changes affecting cost or timing.
Execute and close assigned logistics programs end-to-end, including obtaining and evaluating freight quotes; booking transportation and related services; coordinating capacity and shipment release with freight forwarders, carriers, regional logistics teams, and 3PLs; monitoring milestones; following up with service providers; resolving exceptions; confirming final delivery; and completing shipment closeout within approved authority.
Maintain a shared shipment tracker with milestones, estimated arrival dates, delivery status, costs, risks, and responsible owners, and provide clear stakeholder updates.
Identify delays, missed sailing or flight connections, customs holds, and receiving constraints early; develop recovery options and escalate cost or delivery tradeoffs for approval.
Coordinate with VIRA's China and regional teams, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and other service providers to gather, prepare, validate, and coordinate commercial invoices, packing lists, shipping instructions, customs documentation, and other information required for clearance and delivery.
Establish program-specific logistics processes based on customer requirements, product characteristics, shipping mode, destination, delivery requirements, and service levels; document workflows, responsibilities, and escalation procedures.
Develop shipping coordinators and supporting teams through step-by-step instructions, training, documentation, and ongoing guidance, gradually transitioning repeatable execution activities as capabilities develop while retaining accountability for program delivery.
Track on-time delivery against agreed dates, freight cost versus budget, avoidable expedited freight, shipment visibility, and carrier and 3PL performance.
Analyze recurring delays and cost drivers and improve routing, consolidation, shipment planning, and freight partner performance.
Lead logistics reviews for active programs and capture lessons learned after major deliveries to improve future plans.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Work in accordance with company Core Values and Principles of Business and Conduct; exercise good judgment, respect confidentiality, communicate professionally and courteously, and seek guidance as necessary.