The Shipping Manager plays a key role in ensuring that AMS is efficiently executing shipping as a service in conjunction with the shipping strategy of the company (e.g. use of identified carriers) and in alignment with the objectives and stated expectations of each AMS client. Financial impacts can be both positive and negative in shipping, and the high-level goal for this position is to use systems, processes, reporting and communication to ensure that AMS minimizes any financial exposures related to shipping (e.g. wrong account, wrong service level, negative balances, charges directed to AMS from 3rd party accounts, payment of duties/taxes and more). The Shipping Manager will work closely with Sales, VP of Logistics, IT, Operations, Client Services and Accounting, as this service function touches in all areas, and in doing so will help ensure shipping is managed properly from start to finish.

Essential Job Functions

Duties include working with all applicable departments (Sales, VP of Logistics, Operations, Client Services, IT) to establish and implement an attribute-based shipping matrix by client (e.g. rate shopping, channel-based service selection, criteria-based service selection). In this function, the Shipping Manager will help document expectations (e.g. anticipated costs, delivery times), and be a source for information when questions arise that pertain to shipping results/issues. The Shipping Manager should help ensure that each account is set up properly for international (e.g. duties paid by recipient or shipper) and have an understanding of data required to ensure international is as automated as possible for all countries shipped to by Client. The Shipping Manager will provide guidance to Client Services personnel related to set-up and selection of carriers on an ongoing basis (change management), and ensure they are made aware of the opportunities and challenges associated with each option. The Shipping Manager will work with Operations to ensure systems and processes are in place to make shipping as simple, efficient and effective as possible. Areas of impact include but will not be limited to: carrier pick-up times, required paperwork with pick-ups, shipping label production (bulk label print/print on the line), package sortation by carrier + service level, escalations and safety-nets for service/carrier selection. Shipping Manager will be the key communicator for any new developments or changes related to shipping, including new carrier-imposed surcharges or pricing changes, new changes in strategic direction (e.g. new carrier partnerships), new requirements by carriers (e.g. phone numbers for international shipments) or any shipping related matter that could have an impact on AMS and its clients.

Nonessential Job Functions

The Shipping Manager will have a working knowledge of AMS order management (WAMS, InOrder) and manifesting system (ProShip) as a backdrop for helping AMS Senior Leadership establish processes for a simple and effective approach to shipping execution on the floor. The Shipping Manager should have a solid understanding of all carrier partners, including their service offerings, service/data requirements, hazmat rules & regulations, charges/surcharges/assessorial charges and overall strengths/weaknesses, and with this understanding will serve as a second resource behind the VP of Logistics to provide recommendations and answers for questions related to shipping.

Job Specifications / Qualifications

The Shipping Manager position will report to the VP of Operations. The position will be asked to spend time in all AMS facilities to support operations, and also time in HQ working and communicating with multiple AMS departments. It is anticipated that the Shipping Manager will work closely with the VP of Logistics for execution of the shipping strategy and to collaborate/gain general carrier knowledge and will have a dotted-line connection to the CIO for the IT/technical side of managing shipping. The person coming into this position should possess a solid knowledge of shipping, whether that be rules and requirements related to shipping, key data/criteria needed in shipping, and general carrier/service level knowledge. The person should ideally have a working knowledge of carrier manifest systems (ProShip a big plus) and the technical side of setting up a client for seamless interaction between the order management system and carrier manifest system. The person should be a strong communicator, both verbal and written, and able to manage the flow of communication effectively between departments. The person should have a demonstrated understanding of how to document and follow processes, including safety nets. This position will be asked to investigate and research issues, which likely will involve working in Excel (e.g. carrier billing research).