The Logistics & Purchasing Coordinator manages daily inbound and outbound freight activity while supporting routine purchasing of production materials, supplies, and services. The position coordinates carriers, shipment documentation, deliveries, purchase orders, and supplier follow-up to support on-time production and customer deliveries. This is one combined operational role with two distinct areas of responsibility, not a remote/hybrid work arrangement.
Key Responsibilities
Inbound and Outbound Logistics
- Coordinate inbound deliveries with suppliers, freight carriers, receiving, and production teams.
- Arrange outbound shipments, select approved carriers, obtain freight quotes, and schedule pickups based on service and cost requirements.
- Prepare and verify bills of lading, packing lists, shipping labels, tracking information, and other required freight documents.
- Monitor shipment status, resolve delays, shortages, damages, and delivery exceptions, and communicate updates to stakeholders.
- Verify freight invoices and accessorial charges against agreed rates; support freight claims and carrier performance reviews.
- Maintain accurate shipment records, delivery confirmations, and transportation metrics in the ERP/TMS or approved tracking tools.
- Coordinate domestic shipments and assist with international shipment documentation and customs broker communication when applicable.
Purchasing
- Create and maintain purchase orders for approved materials, packaging, MRO items, and services within assigned authorization limits.
- Obtain supplier quotations, compare pricing and lead times, and route sourcing decisions or exceptions to the purchasing manager.
- Confirm purchase order acknowledgments, quantities, prices, and promised delivery dates; follow up on late or incomplete orders.
- Coordinate with planning, inventory control, receiving, and production to support material availability and avoid shortages.
- Assist in resolving supplier discrepancies, invoice/PO mismatches, returns, and quality-related material issues.
- Maintain supplier contact information, purchasing records, and accurate ERP purchase order data.
- Support basic spend analysis, supplier on-time delivery tracking, and cost-saving initiatives.
Cross-Functional Expectations
- Work closely with Warehouse, Production, Planning, Quality, Finance, and Customer Service.
- Follow purchasing approval limits, segregation-of-duties controls, shipping procedures, and company safety policies.
- Escalate supply disruptions, transportation risks, and cost exceptions promptly.
- Support inventory accuracy, cycle counts, and year-end physical inventory as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or coursework in supply chain, logistics, or business preferred.
- 1–3 years of experience in shipping, logistics coordination, purchasing support, customer service, or a related operations role preferred. Entry-level candidates with relevant training will be considered.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and basic data entry; ability to learn ERP systems.
- Strong organization, attention to detail, follow-through, and communication skills.
- Ability to prioritize multiple shipments and purchase orders in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with an ERP/MRP system and purchase order processing.
- Familiarity with LTL, FTL, parcel shipping, freight classifications, and carrier portals.
- Basic understanding of inventory control, supplier lead times, and manufacturing material flow.
- Exposure to import/export paperwork or international freight coordination.