The Outbound Logistics Supervisor is responsible for managing the safe, compliant, and cost-effective transportation of sodium hypochlorite (bleach), caustic soda, and hydrochloric acid across a multi-site distribution network encompassing both railcars, tankers and trailers. This role oversees carrier scheduling, operations and performance, hazardous materials compliance and customer delivery execution, with a strong emphasis on asset utilization, service reliability and cost control in a fast paced and highly regulated environment.
Key Responsibilities
Rail Operations โ Hazardous Chemical Management
- Oversee daily rail movements of sodium hypochlorite (UN1791), caustic soda (UN1824/1823), and hydrochloric acid (UN1789);
- Coordinate shipment scheduling with plants, terminals, and customers.
- Manage routing, diversions, and prioritization based on customer criticality.
Truck Operations- Hazardous Chemical Management
- Manage the daily scheduling, dispatch and shipment of daily truck movements from both plants for Sodium Hypochlorite (UN1791), Caustic Soda (UN1824/1823) and hydrochloric acid (UN1789);
- Coordinate filling, shipment and documentation based on agreed delivery times to maximize OTIF with sales/customer service, production, operations, transport contractor and customers.
- Manage transport contractors to continuously improve our Cost of Delivery for our product lines.
Railcar Fleet Management
- Manage lined/specialty tank cars and ensure equipment integrity.
- Coordinate cleaning, inspections, and maintenance (FRA/AAR compliance);
- Optimize cycle times and fleet utilization.
Truck and Tanker Management
- Develop a cost- effective transport program for BLEACHTECHโs chemical products, within a 300-mile radius of the plants;
- Manage owned and leased bulk chemical tankers to ensure regulatory compliance, maintenance and road worthiness.
Regulatory Compliance amp; Safety
- Ensure compliance with DOT (49 CFR), FRA, and AAR regulations;
- Complete and maintain shipping documentation and hazmat requirements;
- Lead incident response and corrective actions.
Carrier amp; Terminal Coordination
- Interface with Class I railroads and short lines;
- Coordinate with transload and cleaning vendors to ensure equipment integrity remains intact;
- Manage service performance and resolve issues in a timely manner;
- Manage and coordinate with bulk chemical transport contractors to schedule filling and deliveries
Cost Management
- Optimize truck and rail costs to ensure safe and cost-effective deliveries;
- Reduce demurrage, storage, and accessorial costs;
- Analyze tariffs and optimize routing and fleet sizing.
Customer Alignment
- Support municipal and industrial customers with high service needs;
- Coordinate emergency shipments and demand surges.
Performance Management
- Track KPIs including cycle time, OTIF, demurrage, and utilization;
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Team Leadership
- Operate as a business partner and steward to Sales, customer service, production, distributors and end use customers;
- Establish accountability for service, cost, and compliance.
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelorโs degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Chemical Engineering, or related field preferred.
Experience
- 5โ10 years in rail logistics, preferably in hazardous chemicals;
- Experience managing tank car fleets and hazmat shipments required;
- Supervisory experience preferred.
Technical Skills
- Railinc and rail tracking systems;
- Truck tracking and dispatching systems (TWS);
- TMS/ERP systems (Microsoft D365);
- Advanced Excel/data analysis;
- Knowledge of tank car specifications (DOT-111, CPC-1232, DOT-117)
Preferred Specialized Knowledge
- Bleach: decomposition risk, contamination sensitivity
- Caustic: viscosity, temperature requirements
- HCl: corrosion and fuming hazards
- Cleaning protocols and dedicated fleet requirements
- Railcar and tanker maintenance protocols