The Import Logistics Manager owns end-to-end import operations for a product-driven consumer goods business. This is a high-ownership, individual contributor role responsible for the full import lifecycle — from documentation and customs compliance through freight negotiation, invoice control, and 3PL coordination. The ideal candidate is operationally sharp, self-directed, and comfortable driving process improvements without a team beneath them.
Key Responsibilities
Freight & Vendor Management
- Negotiate freight agreements with carriers, freight forwarders, and 3PL partners to secure competitive rates and service levels aligned with business needs
- Review, audit, and approve freight invoices, identifying discrepancies and driving resolution with vendors
- Manage relationships with 3PL warehouses to ensure timely cargo retrieval from ports and adherence to delivery schedules
- Evaluate vendor performance on an ongoing basis and escalate or replace underperforming partners as needed
- Coordinate drayage and domestic routing from port of entry through final warehouse delivery
- Customs & Compliance
- Ensure all import documentation is accurate, complete, and audit-ready — including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, and customs clearance paperwork
- Maintain thorough record retention across all shipments in a manner that supports internal audits and regulatory review
- Monitor shipments through customs and proactively resolve holds, delays, or compliance issues to protect delivery timelines
- Apply working knowledge of HTS classification and ACE portal processes to support accurate duty assessment and compliance filings
- Stay current on tariff and trade regulation changes that affect import costs and compliance obligations
- Order & Systems Management
- Manage all import order data in the company ERP system, including order entry, part numbers, customer and vendor records, and shipment status updates
- Maintain internal tracking sheets with accurate, real-time inbound shipment information across 200-300 container loads annually
- Serve as the primary point of communication for logistics stakeholders including freight forwarders, trucking companies, warehouses, and the internal sales team
Required Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in import logistics, freight coordination, or supply chain operations; consumer goods or ecommerce experience preferred
- Strong working knowledge of customs clearance, HTS classification, ACE portal navigation, and import documentation requirements
- Demonstrated experience negotiating with freight forwarders, carriers, and 3PL providers and auditing freight invoices for billing discrepancies
- Familiarity with Asia-Pacific origin supply chains and overseas manufacturing lead time patterns
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with logistics or inventory modules in an ERP system
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills across both external vendor and internal stakeholder relationships
- Highly organized, self-directed, and comfortable owning a high-volume function independently with direct visibility to leadership
- Knowledge of Incoterms and their practical application in freight and vendor negotiations
