Freight Forwarding - Sr Mgr, Planning

CJ Logistics America; Des Plaines (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision, life, and dis

401(k) retirement savings

Paid time off

Tuition assistance

Earned wages access

Advancement opportunities

Job summary

CJ Logistics America is seeking a Planning Senior Manager to oversee North American Freight Forwarding planning and provide reliable financial support to facilities and customers. The role collaborates with Transportation Operations, Corporate Accounting, IT and Accounts Receivable to optimize processes and systems across the organization.

The position requires leadership, advanced financial analysis, and strong communication skills to drive accurate reporting, forecasts and budgeting across

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, logistics business, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in a client-facing or account management role.
• 2+ years of experience in international logistics or transportation environment is preferred.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with strict deadlines and complex projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Freight Forwarding finance and related invoicing processes.
• Develop process documentation and KPIs to measure financial performance.
• Monitor carrier freight bill and customer invoicing to ensure timely accuracy.
• Maintain SO/PO accrual reports and KPI aging.
• Lead system development and keep data up to date across rate tables and databases.
• Close books accurately across locations and support NAFF P&L and sales reporting.
• Collaborate with operations, sales and shared services to optimize efficiency.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Financial analysis

Communication

Problem solving

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

10+ years in client-facing or account management role

MBA or CMA/CPA beneficial

Job description

Who We Are And Why We’re Hiring

CJ Logistics delivers integrated and multimodal logistics services, connecting every corner of the world via air, sea and land. As a lead logistics partner (LLP), third-party logistics provider (3PL) and supply chain consultant, we help customers leverage supply chain management as a competitive advantage, reducing total system costs, transforming business processes, improving service and facilitating growth and change. With a focus on social responsibility and sustainability through growth with customers and communities, we prioritize the wellbeing of the end consumer, our customers and our employees. CJ Logistics is responsible for the North America region, specializing in solutions for regulated industries such as food and beverage, consumer-packaged goods, healthcare and medical supplies, and tire and automotive.

Schedule

Monday - Friday

Compensation

Base Hourly Wage or Compensation Range: $___ annually

Incentive eligible: No

Position Overview

The Planning Senior Manager is responsible for the oversight of North American Freight Forwarding planning. This role is responsible for the integrity of internal reporting to senior leadership as well as for providing reliable and accurate site level financial support for facility management and our customers. It also involves close collaboration with the Transportation Operations, Corporate Accounting, IT and Accounts Receivable teams in the development, maintenance and continuous enhancement of the underlying processes and systems that support the day-to-day activities, allowing Freight Forwarding to interface and interact with these other disciplines in a manner that maximizes the efficiencies and significant future potential within the Company.

Essential Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Freight Forwarding finance including the monitoring of freight bill payments and customer invoicing processes
• Develop and maintain comprehensive process documentation, as well as the develop and monitor of metrics that track key performance indicators within this critical function
• Monitor the carrier freight bill and customer invoice processing to ensure that carrier payment processing and customer invoicing are completed in a timely and accurate manner
• Maintain accurate SO & PO accrual reports, and manage aging within KPI’s
• Ensure customers are provided with an exceptional experience will require accurately invoicing customers and excellent system and communication skills to resolve any customer invoicing inquiries
• Monitor related internal functions to monitor and update necessary databases with the most current rate tables and other variable, time-sensitive information
• Develop continuous strategic process improvements to maintain the quality, efficiency and overall effectiveness of Freight Forwarding finance functions and system of internal controls, to increase accuracy, and decrease risk of fraud and errors
• Review and revise policies and procedures as necessary to accomplish such ends
• Provide leadership and direction for system development of the various systems used.
• Create and further develop relationships with both internal and external systems support personnel, and function as the systems subject matter expert within Freight Forwarding finance
• Execute accurate and timely close process within all locations, including reporting, analysis and account reconciliations, along with manage NAFF P&L’s and Customer Sales Volumes Reports.
• Support Managing Director with analysis, requests for information and other financial, management and operational needs.
• Lead and implement best accounting practices, standardization and streamlining efforts across locations.
• Evaluate operating expenses, labor productivity, profitability by customer, job or facility to support business decisions.
• Analyze data to drive action, investigate and explain variances or unusual items.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Coordinate with operations, sales and corporate shared services to ensure optimal efficiencies.
• Lead and support preparation of budget and forecasts, investigate and explain variances.
• Manage NAFF’s capital budgeting process and requests for spending.
• Support corporate requests for information including reporting, audit and special projects.
• Perform other related job duties as assigned or required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, logistics business, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in a client-facing or account management role.
• 2+ years of experience in international logistics or transportation environment is preferred.
• Well-developed problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently to resolve issues.
• Detail oriented with excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent customer service skills with proven ability to build good relationships across the organization and with all levels of management.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and strict deadlines required.
• Significant project roles in two or more systems conversions.
• Provide success in generating leads and moving them through the pipeline.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively along vertical and horizontal plans, internally and in client organizations.
• Proven success in problem-solving with an aptitude in identifying strategic solutions with enterprise-wide implications.
• Flexibility to work among diverse corporate environments, industries, and audiences.
• Strong knowledge of accounting and finance principles with prior P&L ownership.
• Ability to travel as needed (up to 20%).

Physical Requirements

• Sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk while working on a computer
• Use hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, mouse, and telephone
• Speak and hear clearly in person, virtually, and over the phone
• Occasionally stand, walk, reach, stoop, or lift up to 10 pounds

Work Environment

• This position operates in a professional office environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and printers.
• The work environment is typically quiet to moderate in noise level and is climate controlled.

Location/Remote Eligibility

• This is a hybrid role based out of our Des Plaines, IL office. Regular, on-site presence is required (4) days per week or as otherwise directed by the company.
• The role may be performed in a hybrid work setting (combination of on-site and/or remote), depending on business needs and location eligibility. When working remote, employees are expected to maintain a dedicated, distraction-free, confidential workspace and reliable internet connection.
• This position requires occasional travel to other CJ facilities or customer locations and may include up to 20% travel.

Schedule

• Flexible hours may be required to support deadlines or cross-functional collaboration.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings
• Paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• Early access to earned wages
• High-performance culture with a continuous improvement mindset
• Opportunities for advancement!

CJ Logistics About Statement

At CJ Logistics, we value diversity, equity, and an inclusive workplace. If you think you might be a good fit for the role, but don't necessarily meet every single requirement on the job posting, we still encourage you to apply.

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and

or/harassment of any type, including but not limited to discrimination and or harassment based upon race, religion, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy or related medical conditions, childbirth, breastfeeding, parental status, veteran and/or military statue, disability (physical or mental) medical condition, genetic information or characteristics, political affiliation, domestic violence survivor status, marital status, or other characteristics prohibited by federal, state, or local law.

This job posting sets forth the essential job duties and responsibilities for the position. An employee assigned to this position must be able to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation. The Company will provide reasonable accommodation(s) to a disabled employee in accordance with, and as required by, applicable law.

This job posting is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act and other applicable federal, state, and local fair chance laws, the Company will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law.

CJ Logistics participates in the E-Verify program.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or support for work authorization.

CJ Logistics is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing equal access to applicants with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation or wish to request an alternative, non-automated evaluation process due to a disability, medical condition, or neurodivergence, please contact our Talent Acquisition Accommodations Team at [e-mail]. Requesting an accommodation or alternative review process will not negatively affect your candidacy.