Job Title: Transportation Planner - Import/ExportJob DescriptionThe Transportation Planner - Import/Export supports international sales and freight operations by improving speed to market, reducing transportation costs, and driving continuous process improvement with global transportation providers. This role manages the performance of international freight forwarders against key performance indicators, identifies and resolves process deviations that delay inventory receipt in North American and international distribution centers and warehouses, and ensures transparent, accurate shipment milestones by leveraging business intelligence tools, SAP, and carrier portals.
Responsibilities
- Use SAP Transportation Management (SAP TM) or similar ERP tools to request, monitor, and schedule international shipments.
- Track shipments end-to-end to ensure on-time delivery to North American and international distribution centers and warehouses.
- Analyze and dissect transportation forecasts at the lane and market level, and communicate requirements clearly to freight providers.
- Ensure freight forwarders execute against agreed performance KPIs and follow through on service commitments.
- Optimize container utilization and manage shipment size thresholds to balance cost efficiency and service levels.
- Review and approve spot rate quotes, ensuring competitiveness and alignment with budget and service expectations.
- Calculate freight costs accurately and support cost control and budgeting activities.
- Identify, action, and record shipment-level deviations, analyze root causes, and ensure corrective actions are implemented and consistently executed.
- Monitor global and regional market developments, particularly in ocean freight, and assess their impact on the supply chain.
- Leverage data from business intelligence tools and carrier portals to provide transparent, accurate shipment milestones to internal teams and freight forwarder partners.
- Collaborate closely with international sales, supply chain, inventory planning, purchasing, and production teams to align transportation plans with business needs.
- Support forecasting, replenishment, and schedule planning activities to maintain optimal inventory levels.
- Ensure accurate documentation and data entry related to exports, ocean freight, LTL shipping, bills of lading (BOL), and other shipment records.
- Continuously challenge existing processes and contribute to process improvement initiatives across the international transportation network.
Essential Skills
- Minimum of 3 years of experience with an importer or freight forwarder in a similar transportation planning or logistics role.
- Proven experience with import and export operations, including ocean freight, ocean export, and ocean import.
- Strong ability to translate transportation and performance data into clear action items and practical insights.
- High level of organization and structure in managing multiple shipments, lanes, and deadlines.
- Strong process orientation with a focus on accuracy, consistency, and reliability.
- Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to challenge the status quo and propose better ways of working.
- Proficiency with SAP, SAP TM, or similar ERP and reporting tools for transportation and supply chain operations.
- Excellent Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables and advanced data analysis.
- Solid computer skills, including data entry and working with business intelligence and carrier portal systems.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, frequently changing environment.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders to achieve desired results.
- Experience supporting or collaborating with supply chain, inventory planning, purchasing, and production functions.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience working directly with freight forwarders, carriers, and international logistics partners.
- Market knowledge with a focus on ocean freight, including rate structures and service offerings.
- Experience in export operations, including documentation and compliance awareness.
- Background in inventory, replenishment, and schedule planning within a supply chain environment.
- Familiarity with LTL shipping, bills of lading (BOL), and related transportation documentation.
- Experience with Oracle or other ERP systems in addition to SAP is a plus.
- Ability to handle multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail in data entry and reporting.
- Strong analytical mindset to support forecasting, cost analysis, and performance management.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships across sales, logistics, and operations teams.
Work EnvironmentThis is a full-time, Monday through Friday position, typically working from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The role follows a hybrid schedule, with on-site work from Monday through Thursday and the option to work from home on Fridays. The environment is fast-paced and dynamic, with frequent changes driven by market conditions and international logistics demands. You will work extensively with SAP or similar ERP systems, Excel, business intelligence tools, and carrier portals to manage shipments and analyze performance. The workplace follows a business casual dress code, reflecting a professional yet approachable culture focused on collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence within the supply chain and transportation function.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sacramento, CA.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $40.86 - $40.86/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Sacramento,CA.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on May 24, 2026.
About Aston CarterAston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
