Specialist – Inbound Freight Steering

Specialist – Inbound Freight Steering

Requirements

• Automotive Supply Chain Knowledge – Experience working with JIT, JIS, and lean manufacturing principles in an OEM plant.
• Logistics & Freight Expertise – Understanding of freight routing, carrier management, and cost optimization.
• Problem-Solving & Crisis Management – Ability to quickly resolve transportation disruptions to avoid production delays.
• Communication & Collaboration – Strong coordination skills to work with suppliers, carriers, and plant teams.
• Technical Proficiency – Experience with ERP (SAP, Oracle), TMS, WMS, and other logistics software.
• Ability to Work Under Pressure – Fast decision-making in high-stakes situations, as production line stoppages can cost thousands per minute.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate inbound shipments of parts and materials from suppliers to the OEM plant.
• Ensure deliveries align with the plant’s JIT/JIS production schedule to prevent inventory shortages.
• Plan and optimize transport routes to minimize costs and lead times.
• Work closely with procurement, warehouse, and production teams to synchronize material flow.
• Coordinate with freight carriers, 3PLs, and logistics providers to ensure timely and reliable transportation.
• Negotiate freight rates and contracts with transportation providers to optimize costs.
• Monitor supplier compliance with delivery schedules and work with them to resolve supply chain disruptions.
• Use Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and ERP software (SAP, Oracle, etc.) to track inbound shipments.
• Provide real-time updates to production planners about shipment status, delays, and potential bottlenecks.
• Develop contingency plans in case of transportation issues to prevent line stoppages.
• Quickly respond to freight disruptions such as delays, damaged shipments, or customs issues.
• Work with logistics partners to reroute or expedite shipments when necessary.
• Analyze root causes of inbound freight delays and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze transportation costs, lead times, and supplier performance to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Optimize freight consolidation to reduce unnecessary shipments and improve efficiency.
• Support lean manufacturing principles by minimizing excess inventory while ensuring material availability.
• Ensure all inbound freight complies with customs regulations, trade policies, and OEM quality standards.
• Maintain accurate records of shipments, freight invoices, and customs documentation.
• Support internal audits and regulatory compliance related to inbound logistics.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience in logistics or production environment in the automotive industry
• 3+ years of management experience in an operative supply chain environment
• Preferred: Bachelor’s/master’s degree in project, supply chain or operational management or related fields
• Detailed Knowledge and extensive Experience in Quality Management Systems (ISO, VDA, etc.) and related process requirements
• Affinity to work with complex IT-Systems, SAP required
• Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, report writing and presentation skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple complex projects simultaneously
• Ability to communicate complex issues into common language for the organization
• Collaborative team-player with strong interpersonal skills able to work at each hierarchical level of the company.