Inbound Distribution Manager

Key Responsibilities Inbound Distribution & Material Flow

• Oversee and manage all inbound distribution activities, including scheduling, routing, and carrier coordination.
• Ensure on-time delivery of critical components to support Just-In-Time (JIT) and Just-In-Sequence (JIS) production processes.
• Monitor daily inbound shipments, anticipating delays and taking corrective action to prevent production downtime.
• Maintain visibility of all inbound freight through ERP/TMS systems.

• Coordinate with suppliers to enforce delivery requirements, packaging standards, ASN/EDI compliance, and labeling accuracy.
• Evaluate and manage logistics providers, including carriers, brokers, and 3PLs, ensuring adherence to performance metrics.
• Lead corrective action processes with suppliers and carriers for late deliveries, missed shipments, or quality issues.

• Oversee inbound receiving operations, ensuring fast, accurate unloading, inspection, and material staging.
• Develop and optimize dock scheduling processes to reduce congestion and detention time.
• Ensure proper flow of materials from receiving to inventory storage and production lines.

• Analyze freight spend and identify opportunities to reduce costs without sacrificing service level.
• Optimize modes of transportation, lane routing, and freight consolidation strategies.
• Implement continuous improvement initiatives to drive operational efficiency and reduce premium freight.

• Collaborate with Production, Materials Planning, Procurement, and Quality teams to align inbound distribution with production needs.
• Support production planning by providing accurate inbound delivery forecasts and real‑time status updates.
• Participate in daily production and operations meetings to address supply risks.

• Ensure inbound distribution processes comply with all internal standards, customer requirements, and regulatory guidelines (DOT, OSHA, IATF 16949, etc.).
• Promote a safe working environment and uphold all facility safety protocols.

• Lead and develop a team of distribution coordinators, schedulers, and inbound dock personnel.
• Establish performance metrics, track results, and coach team members for continuous improvement.
• Drive accountability and operational discipline across inbound distribution operations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field (preferred).
• 5+ years of experience in inbound distribution, transportation, or logistics management.
• Experience in automotive manufacturing or another JIT/JIS-driven environment strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with ERP (SAP, Oracle, Plex, etc.) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
• Strong knowledge of inbound logistics, freight routing, ASN/EDI requirements, and packaging standards.
• Excellent communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage supply chain risks in real time.

• Experience with cross‑border logistics (Mexico/Canada).
• Knowledge of automotive OEM/logistics standards and APQP‑related processes.
• Lean/Six Sigma training or certification.
• Strong data analysis skills (Excel, Power BI, or similar tools).