Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator – Import Buying

Grip Tight Tools; Union (NJ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Grip Tight Tools is seeking a Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator to manage overseas purchasing and import shipments, focusing on China, India and Southeast Asia. You will oversee the process from PO placement through shipping, clearance, and warehouse delivery, while tracking import expenses.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in import buying & import logistics, experience with overseas suppliers and freight forwarders, and a Bachelor's degree.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, import logistics, international shipping, or supply chain coordination.
• Knowledge of ocean freight, FCL/LCL shipments, customs clearance, and shipping documentation.
• Experience working with overseas suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, trucking companies, and warehouses.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and QuickBooks or similar accounting software.
• Strong organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple orders, shipments, and deadlines independently.

Responsibilities

• Analyze purchasing needs, issue purchase orders, and negotiate terms with overseas suppliers.
• Arrange freight bookings, obtain rates, and monitor shipments end-to-end.
• Coordinate ISF filings and customs broker interactions.
• Manage port pickups, warehouse deliveries, and container availability.
• Track import expenses and enter invoices into QuickBooks.
• Prepare monthly shipment arrival reports and payment forecasts.
• Maintain organized shipment folders and daily status updates.

Skills

Purchasing & Vendor Management

Shipping & Freight Coordination

Customs Clearance

Negotiation

Problem-Solving

Multi-Tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Outlook

QuickBooks

Job description

We are seeking an organized, detail-oriented Purchasing & Logistics Coordinator to manage overseas purchasing and import shipments, primarily from China, India & Southeast Asia countries to the United States. This position oversees the process from purchase order placement through shipping, customs clearance, warehouse delivery, and import expense tracking.

Key Responsibilities

• Purchasing & Vendor Management: Analyze purchasing needs, issue purchase orders, review pro forma invoices, negotiate pricing and payment terms, and follow up with overseas suppliers on production schedules and shipment readiness.
• Shipping & Freight Coordination: Obtain competitive freight rates, arrange FCL/LCL bookings, coordinate shipping documents, and monitor shipments from origin to destination.
• Customs Clearance: Coordinate ISF filings, work with customs brokers, review import documents, track clearance status, and resolve documentation discrepancies.
• Tracking & Delivery: Coordinate port pickups, warehouse deliveries, container availability, and empty container returns. Monitor last free day’s deadlines to avoid unnecessary charges.
• Import Expenses: Review warehouse receiving quantities, investigate shortages or discrepancies, track freight and import expenses, enter invoices into QuickBooks, and submit claims when necessary.
• Payments & Reporting: Coordinate supplier and shipping payments, prepare monthly shipment arrival reports and payment forecasts, and maintain accurate expense records.
• Documentation: Maintain organized shipment folders by vendor and purchase order and update the shared shipment status spreadsheet daily.

Qualifications

• Experience in purchasing, import logistics, international shipping, or supply chain coordination.
• Knowledge of ocean freight, FCL/LCL shipments, customs clearance, and shipping documentation.
• Experience working with overseas suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, trucking companies, and warehouses.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and QuickBooks or similar accounting software.
• Strong organizational, communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple orders, shipments, and deadlines independently.

Preferred:

Experience importing products from China, India & Southeast Asia to the United States.

Ideal Candidate

A proactive, reliable, and detail-oriented professional who can manage the complete import process, control costs, maintain accurate records, and ensure shipments arrive on time.

• Experience: Minimum 3 years in import buying & import logistics(both required)
• References: 2 Prior References (preferred)
• Education: Bachelor's (Required)
• Company offers: Matching 401K, paid vacation and health insurance.

Respect, Honesty and Hard work are the core values of our company and we hire employees that have the same values.