Inbound Freight Analyst

At Kruger Family Industries, parent company of Penda Corporation and TriEnda Holdings, our passion is to bring great products to life through an exceptional area of thermoformed solutions. We are the North America leader in heavy gauge thermoformed plastics. We are committed to delivering highly engineered, high quality material handling products and automotive accessories that reduce the weight and cost of traditional composite, fiberglass, wood and metal products, making this an opportunity to work in an innovative environment during an exciting growth phase.

Summary

The Inbound Freight Analyst is responsible for the daily coordination and optimization of inbound freight activities for all KFI manufacturing locations. This role manages inbound transportation with vendors, carriers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs), ensuring shipments are executed efficiently, compliantly, and cost-effectively while meeting plant service requirements. The position requires frequent communication with internal departments, external partners, and carriers to ensure accurate documentation, on-time delivery, and continuous improvement of inbound freight processes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Maintain full cross-training capabilities to support and back up Traffic and Logistics Coordinators as assigned.
• Coordinate inbound freight activities for all KFI plant locations, ensuring compliance with routing guides, service standards, and cost objectives.
• Collaborate with vendors to plan inbound shipments and determine the most effective transportation mode (truckload, intermodal, LTL, partial, etc.) based on plant requirements, service levels, and cost per unit.
• Ensure vendor and internal department compliance with established routing instructions; monitor adherence and address exceptions as needed.
• Determine appropriate transportation modes and accurately assign NMFC classifications; update NMFC classifications within the ERP system as required.
• Conduct monthly Vendor Compliance reviews, issue corrective actions and apply debits charges when routing requirements are not followed.
• Provide training to Vendors and internal departments on routings guidelines, shipping modes and purchase order consolidation best practices to support cost effective shipping.
• Coordinate daily shipping schedules with vendors and carriers, considering dock time availability and plant constraints to ensure timely and efficient delivery.
• Manage inbound shipment execution, ensuring proper carrier selection, billing accounts, documentation, lead times and cost controls. Communicate shipment delays, changes or issues to the appropriate internal stakeholders and document all actions required.
• Monitoring the UPS/Fed Ex account activity to ensure accounts are being used properly according to the routing. Disputing any billing errors as needed.
• Interface with third-party logistic providers, including OEM designated and contracted partners, to request quotes, process shipments, track freight and resolve or expedite issues using online carrier and 3PL platforms.
• Analyze and maintain carrier performance data, including service failures and damage claims, and recommend carriers or process improvements as appropriate.
• Prepare and maintain logistics reporting including freight damage analysis, carrier performance issues, daily on-order reporting and ad hoc reports as requested.
• Process transfer order entry and receipt transactions in the ERP system.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of ERP traffic and logistics applications and their integration with related systems (e.g., sales orders, purchase orders). Ensure data accuracy, system functionality, and process integrity.
• Identify logistics process improvement opportunities, submit enhancement requests, and support system or workflow implementation efforts.
• Utilize routing and optimization software (e.g., PC*Miler) to plan and evaluate multi-stop truckload opportunities.
• Process traffic requests and return authorizations by collecting required details, evaluating costs and transit timelines, and communicating outcomes to requestors and internal departments.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree (A. A.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school along with two years’ direct traffic/distribution experience; or equivalent combinations of education and experience.
• Has the ability to organize information and coordinate activities to ensure efficient and cost-effective shipments.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described in this section are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, talk, walk, hear, reach with hands and arms, stoop and bend. The employee must seldom lift and/or move more than 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Work Availablity And Travel

Must have the ability to work all shift schedules, periodic overtime and be available for periodic weekend work. Travel requirements: <10%

***Don't meet every single requirement? KFI is dedicated to building a diverse, well-rounded team and appreciate authentic backgrounds and experiences.. so if you think you'd be a good fit for what you just read, but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification listed, we encourage you to apply anyways! We are always willing to train those who are motivated to learn and you may be just the right candidate for a position with our growing company!***

KFI is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

This is a direct-hire opportunity with KFI. KFI is interested in every qualified candidate who is eligible to work in the United States. However, we are not able to sponsor visas.