Key Responsibilities Inbound Distribution & Material Flow
Oversee and manage all inbound distribution activities, including scheduling, routing, and carrier coordination.
Ensure on-time delivery of critical components to support Just-In-Time (JIT) and Just-In-Sequence (JIS) production processes.
Monitor daily inbound shipments, anticipating delays and taking corrective action to prevent production downtime.
Maintain visibility of all inbound freight through ERP/TMS systems.
Supplier & Carrier Performance
Coordinate with suppliers to enforce delivery requirements, packaging standards, ASN/EDI compliance, and labeling accuracy.
Evaluate and manage logistics providers, including carriers, brokers, and 3PLs, ensuring adherence to performance metrics.
Lead corrective action processes with suppliers and carriers for late deliveries, missed shipments, or quality issues.
Warehouse / Dock Operations
Oversee inbound receiving operations, ensuring fast, accurate unloading, inspection, and material staging.
Develop and optimize dock scheduling processes to reduce congestion and detention time.
Ensure proper flow of materials from receiving to inventory storage and production lines.
Cost Optimization
Analyze freight spend and identify opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing service level.
Optimize modes of transportation, lane routing, and freight consolidation strategies.
Implement continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational efficiency and reduce premium freight.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Collaborate with Production, Materials Planning, Procurement, and Quality teams to align inbound distribution with production needs.
Support production planning by providing accurate inbound delivery forecasts and real-time status updates.
Participate in daily production and operations meetings to address supply risks.
Compliance & Safety
Ensure inbound distribution processes comply with all internal standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines (DOT, OSHA, IATF 16949, etc.).
Promote a safe working environment and uphold all facility safety protocols.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and develop a team of distribution coordinators, schedulers, and inbound dock personnel.
Establish performance metrics, track results, and coach team members for continuous improvement.
Drive accountability and operational discipline across inbound distribution operations.
Required Skills & Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field (preferred).
5+ years of experience in inbound distribution, transportation, or logistics management.
Experience in automotive manufacturing or another JIT/JIS-driven environment strongly preferred.
Proficiency with ERP (SAP, Oracle, Plex, etc.) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
Strong knowledge of inbound logistics, freight routing, ASN/EDI requirements, and packaging standards.
Excellent communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work under pressure and manage supply chain risks in real time.
Preferred Skills
Experience with cross-border logistics (Mexico/Canada).
Knowledge of automotive OEM/logistics standards and APQP-related processes.
Lean/Six Sigma training or certification.
Strong data analysis skills (Excel, Power BI, or similar tools).