Freight Forwarding - Sr Mgr, Planning

CJ Logistics Corporation; Des Plaines (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

CJ Logistics Corporation in Des Plaines, IL is seeking a Planning Senior Manager to oversee North American Freight Forwarding planning and deliver reliable site-level financial support for the facility and customers.

Responsibilities include leading finance operations, developing KPI metrics, ensuring timely close, collaborating with Transportation Operations, Corporate Accounting, IT and AR, and driving process improvements across multiple locations. Travel up to 20% may be 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 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Freight Forwarding finance and monitor freight bill payments and invoicing.
• Develop and maintain process documentation and metrics to track KPIs in this function.
• Monitor carrier freight bill and customer invoice processing for timely and accurate completion.
• Maintain accurate SO & PO accrual reports and manage aging within KPI’s.
• Ensure accurate invoicing and strong system/communication skills to resolve inquiries.

Skills

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Communication

Project management

Customer service

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance/logistics

Job description

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

This is largely a sedentary role requiring the physical ability to:

• 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.