Shipping Supervisor

Shipping Supervisor

The Shipping Supervisor provides hands-on leadership and day-to-day management of the Shipping and Logistics functions. This position is responsible for ensuring the safe, accurate, timely, compliant, and cost-effective movement of materials and finished products while supporting customer requirements and Company goals.

The Shipping Supervisor directly supervises Shipping employees and is responsible for staffing, employee performance and development, productivity, safety, quality, regulatory compliance, inventory accuracy, freight management, and adherence to Company policies and procedures.

This role plans and prioritizes shipping and logistics activities, allocates resources, resolves operational issues, manages freight costs and service providers, and identifies opportunities to improve productivity, service, and cost. The Shipping Supervisor works closely with Operations and other cross-functional teams to ensure shipping activities support production schedules, customer commitments, and financial objectives.

Essential Responsibilities

• Demonstrates Company values and promotes a strong commitment to safety, quality, customer service, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Provides direct supervision and leadership to Shipping employees, including setting expectations, assigning and prioritizing work, monitoring performance, providing coaching and feedback, and supporting employee development.
• Manages staffing, scheduling, timekeeping, training, performance reviews, attendance, and employee accountability. Partners with Human Resources and Operations Management on employee-related matters as appropriate.
• Plans staffing and allocates resources based on production schedules, shipping requirements, workload, employee capabilities, and business priorities.
• Establishes and monitors key performance indicators for safety, quality, productivity, cost, inventory accuracy, and on-time delivery. Identifies performance gaps and implements corrective actions as needed.
• Directs daily Shipping activities to ensure customer orders are processed accurately and on time, required documentation is complete, inventory transactions are accurate, and damaged or nonconforming materials are not shipped.
• Determines appropriate shipping methods, carriers, and logistics solutions based on customer requirements, service, cost, and risk.
• Manages the annual Shipping budget and expense plan and identifies opportunities to reduce freight and operating costs.
• Leads continuous improvement initiatives to enhance safety, quality, productivity, workflow, inventory accuracy, freight costs, and customer service.
• Oversees ITC and applicable export compliance activities within Shipping, addresses discrepancies, and implements corrective actions to maintain compliance.
• Manages HAZMAT compliance, including required training, documentation, handling, storage, and transportation practices in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Coordinates inbound freight based on production schedules, material requirements, carrier availability, cost, dock capacity, and business priorities.
• Oversees outbound shipments and ensures shipping, invoicing, and related documentation are completed accurately and on time in accordance with customer, Company, carrier, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinates parcel, LTL, TL, and international transportation through carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).
• Manages carrier and logistics-provider relationships, freight contracts, applicable POAs, freight invoices, service performance, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Reconciles shipment and freight invoices according to applicable contracts and establishes effective controls for shipment, accounts payable, and invoice reconciliation.
• Partners with Operations to manage targeted monthly shipping plans in support of customer commitments and Company financial objectives.
• Reviews Daily Ship, To Be Shipped, and other applicable reports to proactively identify shortages, delays, and potential delivery issues and coordinates resolution with appropriate departments.
• Communicates and collaborates effectively across departments to resolve issues, gather information, support business needs, and lead or participate in projects and improvement initiatives.
• Performs hands-on shipping activities when necessary to support operational and business needs.
• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned to support Company goals and objectives.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in shipping, logistics, freight, warehousing, or a related function within a fast-paced environment; manufacturing experience preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of direct supervisory experience, including employee coaching, performance management, attendance management, performance reviews, accountability, and employee development.
• 35 years of experience leading or implementing operational improvement and change initiatives.
• Experience coordinating parcel, LTL, TL, and international transportation.
• Experience working with carriers, brokers, freight forwarders, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), and customer and carrier portals.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in business, logistics, supply chain, or a related field preferred.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to develop employees and build effective relationships across the organization and with customers and external service providers.
• Strong organizational, project management, problem-solving, change management, and influencing skills.
• Experience negotiating, administering, and managing freight contracts and transportation service agreements.
• Demonstrated experience managing domestic and international transportation providers with a focus on service, cost, compliance, and customer delivery requirements.
• Continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to analyze operational issues, identify root causes, implement corrective actions, and improve processes and procedures.
• Ability to balance hands-on operational responsibilities with employee leadership, administrative responsibilities, planning, and longer-term improvement initiatives.
• Working knowledge of domestic and international shipping, HAZMAT, transportation, and applicable export compliance requirements.
• Ability to safely operate powered industrial trucks (forklifts) and other material-handling equipment, as required.
• To conform with U.S. export regulations, including ITAR 120.15 and EAR Part 772, individuals in this role must be eligible for any required U.S. government authorizations.

Physical Requirements

Must be able to perform the essential physical requirements of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The position may require extended periods of sitting and computer use, repetitive motions associated with office equipment, and regular walking and movement throughout office, warehouse, and industrial environments.