About the Logistics Coordinator role
A Logistics Coordinator plans and tracks the movement of goods from suppliers to warehouses to customers. They book carriers, prepare shipping documentation, monitor deliveries, and act fast when a shipment is delayed, lost, or damaged. It is a detail-heavy coordination role where a missed booking or a wrong document can stop a truck at a border or leave a customer waiting.
The scope depends on your supply chain. In a domestic distribution business, the role centers on route planning, carrier scheduling, and proof of delivery. In import and export operations, it adds freight forwarders, customs paperwork, Incoterms, and container tracking. Some coordinators also manage warehouse handoffs, returns, or inventory transfers between sites.
In your posting, name the transport modes you use, the systems the coordinator will work in (TMS, ERP, or carrier portals), and whether the role involves international documentation. Candidates with customs and freight forwarding experience are scarcer and command higher pay, so be clear about whether you truly need it or can train it.
Logistics Coordinator job description template
Job brief
We are looking for a Logistics Coordinator to plan, book, and track shipments across our supply chain. Your responsibilities include scheduling carriers, preparing shipping and customs documentation, monitoring deliveries end to end, resolving delays and exceptions, and keeping internal teams and customers informed. To succeed in this role, you should be highly organized, calm under pressure, and confident working with carriers, systems, and spreadsheets. Success means shipments arrive on time, fully documented, and at the agreed cost.
Responsibilities
- Plan and schedule inbound and outbound shipments across road, air, and sea as required
- Request quotes, book carriers and freight forwarders, and confirm pickup and delivery windows
- Prepare and verify shipping documents such as bills of lading, packing lists, and customs paperwork
- Track shipments end to end and proactively flag delays to stakeholders
- Resolve exceptions including delays, damages, shortages, and failed deliveries
- Coordinate with warehouse teams on loading schedules, dock slots, and priorities
- Maintain accurate shipment records in the TMS, ERP, or tracking spreadsheets
- Verify freight invoices against quotes and flag discrepancies for correction
- Monitor carrier performance on cost, transit time, and damage rates
- Support returns, reverse logistics, and inter-site stock transfers
Requirements and skills
- Proven work experience as a Logistics Coordinator, dispatcher, or in a similar logistics role
- Working knowledge of transport modes, carrier types, and standard shipping documentation
- Strong organizational skills and the ability to juggle many shipments at once
- Proficiency with Excel and experience with a TMS, ERP, or carrier booking portals
- Clear written and spoken communication with carriers, suppliers, and internal teams
- Problem-solving mindset and composure when shipments go wrong
- Attention to detail with documents, quantities, and invoices
- Degree or diploma in logistics, supply chain, or business is a plus, or equivalent experience
Nice to have
- Experience with customs clearance, Incoterms, and international freight forwarding
- Knowledge of dangerous goods, cold chain, or other regulated shipping categories
- Certification in logistics or transport, such as APICS or a national freight qualification
- Second language relevant to your carrier and supplier base
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