Material Planner & Customs Specialist

Experience Required

2-3 Years Experience

Minimum Education Required

Bachelor's Degree

License(s) Required

Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Business Administration, or a related field

Training Required/Provided

Yes.

Expected Start Date

10/05/2026

Compensation

$55.00 - $75.00 / yearly

Hours Per Week

40

Number Of Positions

2

Work Schedule and Shift Requirements

8:30AM - 5:00PM

Job Description

Job Title: Material Planner & Customs Specialist

Location: Louisville, KY, USA

Job Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are looking for a versatile professional to own the end-to-end process from material planning to inbound logistics, customs clearance, and final delivery. In this lean team, you will handle daily operations across three interconnected domains: material planning (primary), customs compliance, and transportation management.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in at least one of the following areas:

1. Manufacturing material planning experience

2. Long-term customs / freight forwarding experience (preferably in a forwarder or broker company)

3. Transportation management experience

If you also have cross-functional knowledge in those areas, that is a strong plus.

Key Responsibilities

Material Planning (Primary Focus)

• Analyze customer demand forecasts and convert them into purchase orders using ERP.

• Issue POs to suppliers, track order acknowledgments, and manage lead times to meet JIT/JIS production schedules.

• Maintain optimal inventory levels and communicate supply status to production and procurement teams.

• Manage invoice and payment to suppliers.

Supplier Coordination & FCA Pickup Arrangement

• Schedule and coordinate inbound pickups from global suppliers under FCA/EXW terms.

• Liaise directly with suppliers to confirm readiness, arrange carrier dispatch, and track shipment progress.

• Resolve any pickup delays or issues proactively.

Customs Clearance Tracking

• Work with freight forwarders and customs brokers to prepare and review all import/export documents (packing list, commercial invoice, tariff classification, duty calculation).

• Monitor clearance status and follow up on holds, inspections, or documentation gaps.

• Maintain accurate records of customs filings and duty payments.

Inland Transportation & Final Delivery

• Arrange domestic trucking from port/airport to the plant after customs release.

• Arrange road transportation within north America,e.g. USA,Mexico,Canada

• Milk run pick up within North America.

• Coordinate with carriers to ensure on-time delivery and handle transit issues.

• Manage damage claims and discrepancies with suppliers, forwarders, or carriers.

Team Backup Structure

• Cross-train with a potential future colleague so that both roles can cover each other during absences or peak periods.

Qualifications

Educational Background

Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Business Administration, or a related field.

Core Work Experience (Must-have)

Candidates must have solid expertise with a minimum of 2–3 years of hands-on experience in at least one of the following three areas:

1. Manufacturing Material Planning: Experience in material planning, including PO generation, supplier coordination, and ERP usage in a manufacturing environment (automotive or industrial preferred).

2. Customs / Freight Forwarding: Hands-on experience in import/export customs clearance, documentation, and compliance. Experience working at a freight forwarder or customs brokerage firm is highly preferred.

3. Transportation Management: Experience managing inbound/outbound transportation, carrier scheduling, and route optimization, ideally with FCA/EXW pickup coordination.

Preferred Qualifications

Any combination of the below competencies is considered a strong advantage:

• Practical knowledge of FCA/EXW incoterms and JIT/JIS delivery processes.

• Familiarity with U.S. customs regulations and import documentation.

• Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar).

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate effectively across teams.

Job Type

Full time

Benefits Offered

Benefits:

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

Yes

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant

Yes

Veteran Preference

Yes

Background Check Required

Yes

Industry

Manufacturing

Place of Work

On-site

Requisition ID

08062026

Application Email

[email protected]