Logistics Lead

Posted by NR Consulting LLC

Burlington, WA

Permanent

Posted 6 days ago

Job Title:Logistics Lead
Work Location: Burlington, WA
Work Model (Onsite/Hybrid): Onsite
Position Type: Fulltime Permanent Role

Job Description: Summary of Position

The Logistics Leadis responsible forend-to-end oversight of the companys domestic and internationallogisticsoperations, supporting our U.S.-based solar module and cell manufacturing business. With approximately 60% of key components sourced via imports- primarily ocean freight, supplemented by air freight- this role willoptimizecost structure, ensure on-time delivery, streamline inland transportation, and drive continuous improvement across all inbound and outboundlogisticsprocesses. The ability to lead carrier negotiations,establishrobust KPIs, managelogisticsrisk, and execute efficiency and cost-saving initiatives is critical to supporting production, inventory flow, and overall business success.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performancelogisticsteam, fostering accountability, engagement, and operational excellence.

Own end-to-end management of international inboundlogistics, including ocean and air freight bookings, scheduling, routing, and tracking to support 60% importedcomponentvolume for U.S. manufacturing.

Manage U.S. domestic transportation, including inbound material delivery to plants and outbound shipment of finished solar modules and cells via over-the-road (OTR), LTL, and FTL solutions.

Work withpurchasingteam to drive competitive rates and service agreements with freight carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and 3PL providers.

Collaborate closely with customs compliance and trade teams to ensuretimelycustoms clearance, proper documentation, duty compliance, and alignment with U.S. import/export regulations relevant to solar manufacturing.

Maintain centralized, real-time shipment visibility and tracking logs for all inbound ocean, air, and domestic freight; provideaccurate,timelyupdates to production planning, procurement, warehouse, and finance teams.

Monitor carrier performance, on-time delivery (OTD), transit times, and freight costs; address delays, disruptions, and claims proactively to minimize production risk.

Develop, implement, and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for freight cost per unit, on-time delivery, transit time variance, documentation accuracy, andlogisticsefficiency.

Prepare and distribute monthlylogisticsperformance reports by mode (ocean, air, truck, intermodal) with analysis of trends, cost variances, and improvement opportunities.

Lead continuous improvement projects to reducelogisticscosts, streamline processes,eliminatewaste, and enhance supply chain resilience.

Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and industry best practices for domestic and international transportation.

Coordinate closely with planning, procurement, warehouse, production, and finance to alignlogisticsflow with manufacturing schedules and inventory targets.

Qualifications

Skills

Proficiencyin Microsoft Office Suite, with advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, PivotTables, data analysis) for reporting, budgeting, and performance tracking.

Working knowledge oflogisticsmanagement tools, TMS (Transportation Management Systems), and shipment tracking platforms is highly preferred.

Strong understanding of international freight terms (FOB, CIF, DDP, EXW), ocean/air shipping processes, U.S. customs clearance, and cross-border trade compliance.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple shipments, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to interact effectively with carriers, suppliers, internal teams, and external partners.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.

Traits

Highly detail-oriented, organized, and precise with data and documentation.

Proactive, results-driven, and capable of working independently with minimal supervision.

Strong leadership presence with ability to motivate a team and drive accountability.

Collaborative team player with ability to partner across functions.

Adaptable to changing production schedules, supply chain disruptions, and business priorities.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field.

5+ years of progressive experience inlogistics, transportation, or freight management; experience in procurement orlogisticsbuying is strongly preferred.