Logistics Coordinator

Description

General Summary: 

The Logistics Manager is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing all logistics, shipping/receiving, and stockroom activities to ensure efficient and accurate movement of materials and finished goods. This position consolidates fragmented logistics responsibilities into a single accountable function, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and cost control across all domestic and international shipments. The Logistics Manager also ensures that inventory accuracy, documentation, and financial tracking align with company and customer expectations.

This role requires a detail-oriented leader who values collaboration, communication, and continuous improvement. The successful candidate will exemplify and promote Alkar’s 12 Traits of an Actively Engaged Employee in all interactions and decisions.

Principal Accountabilities:

Leadership & Oversight

• Direct daily operations of the Shipping/Receiving and Stockroom teams (approximately 5 hourly union employees).
• Set clear expectations for performance, accuracy, and accountability, fostering a positive, engaged culture aligned with Alkar’s 12 Traits of an Actively Engaged Employee.
• Partner with Purchasing, Scheduling, and Production teams to ensure material and product flow supports production and delivery schedules.

Logistics Coordination

• Manage all domestic and international shipments—including freight scheduling, carrier selection, and customs documentation.
• Negotiate and maintain carrier and freight-forwarding relationships to optimize cost, reliability, and service.
• Coordinate shipments of large equipment and complex systems requiring specialized handling or crating.

Inventory & Stockroom Management

• Oversee raw material, component, and finished goods inventory accuracy through cycle counts, reconciliation, and root-cause problem solving.
• Ensure timely and accurate transactions in ERP/MRP systems for receipts, transfers, and shipments.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Production to align part stocking strategies and ensure critical components are available without excessive inventory.

Process Improvement & Reporting

• Develop and implement standardized procedures for shipping, receiving, and inventory management.
• Strengthen paperwork accuracy and traceability for all shipments and receipts, ensuring financial and operational reporting integrity.
• Track freight costs, damages, and delivery performance; analyze data to identify cost-reduction and efficiency opportunities.
• Partner with Accounting and Supply Chain to support audits, cost reporting, and freight billing accuracy.

Areas Supervised: 

• Shipping/Receiving, Stockroom, Warehouse Inventories

Core Competencies (Aligned with Alkar’s 12 Traits of Actively Engaged Employees)

• 100% Responsibility: Owns the success of logistics operations and takes initiative to fix problems without excuses.
• Trustworthy: Maintains accurate records and transparent communication across departments.
• Team Player: Works collaboratively with production, purchasing, and accounting.
• Clear Communicator: Delivers concise and timely updates to leadership and internal customers.
• Empathy & Humility: Leads people with respect, fairness, and a service-minded attitude.
• Emotional Self-Control: Keeps composure and professionalism during urgent or stressful situations.
• Resolves Conflict Directly: Addresses problems at the source and builds solutions, not blame.
• Positive Attitude: Promotes a culture of pride and accountability on the shop floor.
• Problem Solver & Agile: Identifies process weaknesses and implements sustainable improvements.

Work Environment

This position is based on-site in Lodi, WI, with a daily presence in both office and production floor environments. Some off-site travel may be required for vendor visits, logistics coordination, or training.

Requirements

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 5+ years of logistics, shipping/receiving, or inventory management experience in a manufacturing environment; at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership capacity.
• Strong understanding of domestic and international shipping regulations, Incoterms, and export documentation.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (experience with Epicor, SAP, or similar preferred).
• Proven record of improving processes, reducing freight costs, and increasing inventory accuracy.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and general data/reporting tools (Excel required).