Plan and schedule inbound materials to support production requirements and manufacturing schedules
Collaborate with procurement and suppliers to ensure on-time delivery of raw materials and components
Monitor supplier performance, lead times, and capacity constraints
Resolve inbound shipment delays, discrepancies, or quality issue
Coordinate production output with outbound shipment schedules
Plan and execute customer deliveries in alignment with service-level agreements
Manage finished goods inventory flow
Support demand planning and sales forecasts by aligning shipping capacity with demand
Coordinate domestic and/or international transportation for inbound and outbound shipments
Prepare and review shipping documentation
Work with freight forwarders, carriers, and 3PLs to ensure cost-effective and compliant shipments
Track shipments and proactively address transit issues or delays
Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, and regulatory requirements (e.g., customs, export controls, DOT, OSHA)
Verify freight invoices and support cost control initiatives
Maintain accurate records
Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality, Procurement, Customer Service, and other internal/external teams
Participate in S&OP, production planning, and capacity review meetings
Identify opportunities to improve planning accuracy, logistics efficiency, and process standardization
Support continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, Six Sigma, process optimization)
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations Management, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience)
3-5+ years of experience in supply chain planning, logistics, or manufacturing operations
Hands-on experience with inbound and outbound logistics coordination
Strong working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, etc.)
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data analysis)
Requirements
Experience in a regulated or complex manufacturing environment
Knowledge of international shipping, Incoterms, and customs documentation
APICS certification (CPIM, CSCP) or similar supply chain credential
Familiarity with Lean or continuous improvement methodologies
Strong planning, organizational, and analytical skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing setting
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
High attention to detail and problem-solving mindset
Cost-conscious approach with a focus on service and efficiency
Benefits
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States full-time and will not require sponsorship either now or in the future to obtain an employment visa.
Additional Information
Job Summary:
The Upstream/Downstream Planner, Inbound/Outbound & Shipping Specialist is responsible for end-to-end planning and execution of material flow within a manufacturing environment. This role ensures timely availability of raw materials (upstream), efficient production support, and accurate, on-time delivery of finished goods (downstream). The position acts as a key liaison between suppliers, manufacturing, logistics partners, and internal stakeholders to optimize inventory levels, transportation costs, and customer service performance.
Spectris · Marlborough, MA