Logistics Specialist

Industry: Manufacturing

Location (city, state): Itasca, IL

Assignment Type: Contract-to-Hire (90 days)

Pay: $29.00–$31.50 per hour

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM | 100% Onsite

Benefits: This position is eligible for medical, dental, vision, and 401(k).

Our client is an established manufacturing organization seeking a Logistics Specialist to support its international shipping, transportation coordination, and trade compliance activities. This individual will work with internal departments and external transportation partners to ensure shipments move efficiently and meet applicable regulatory requirements.

The Logistics Specialist will manage import and export activities, coordinate freight transportation, and maintain accurate shipping and customs records. This role requires someone with a background in logistics, international shipping, or freight forwarding who can manage multiple shipments while maintaining compliance with transportation regulations. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, and comfortable collaborating with warehouse personnel, vendors, and other internal teams.

• Manage international shipments, including freight scheduling, rate quotes, shipment tracking, customs clearance, and delivery coordination.
• Communicate with freight forwarders, customs brokers, carriers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to address transportation delays and other shipping challenges.
• Prepare and maintain import/export records, customs forms, product classifications, tariff information, and country-of-origin documentation.
• Verify that shipments meet applicable domestic and international shipping regulations, including hazardous materials requirements when applicable.
• Review product documentation and confirm appropriate packaging, labeling, handling, and transportation procedures.
• Coordinate hazardous materials compliance training and maintain employee training documentation.
• Audit freight invoices, validate transportation charges, monitor shipping claims, and compare carrier costs against established rates.
• Support carrier selection, transportation contract evaluations, annual bid processes, and freight cost-reduction efforts.
• Maintain shipping and receiving procedures, work instructions, and documentation required for regulatory compliance and audits.
• Partner with Purchasing, Warehouse, Shipping and Receiving, Production, Marketing, Laboratory personnel, and other departments to resolve logistics issues and improve processes.

• Approximately 3–5 years of experience in logistics, international shipping, import/export operations, freight forwarding, or a related supply chain function.
• Experience coordinating shipments and working with freight carriers, customs brokers, and transportation providers.
• Familiarity with customs paperwork, international shipping requirements, and import/export compliance procedures.
• Hazardous materials shipping knowledge is strongly preferred, including familiarity with applicable IATA, IMDG, or 49 CFR regulations.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple shipments, deadlines, and competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal teams and external vendors.
• HS Diploma required.

• This is a fully onsite, contract-to-hire opportunity with an anticipated 90-day contract period.
• The position works closely with warehouse leadership and cross-functional business teams.
• Candidates should be comfortable working in a fast-paced manufacturing and distribution environment.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365, freight forwarding portals, Microsoft Office, and…