Traffic Manager Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Company Overview
Why Choose Us?
Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.
Our Sustainability Commitment
The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.
Job Description
Purpose: This position is responsible for directing traffic operations-using EPI preferred carriers whenever possible-for shipment of international parts and equipment, both inbound and outbound. Responsibilities include arranging with land, ocean, and air carriers to ship machines globally per required delivery dates and customer specifications, and preparing export documentation for international parts and machine shipments with regard to the terms set up for each shipment. The key customers are the end users of Novolex.
Activities related to this position include (1) processing daily Canada parts export documents and shipments, (2) setting up carriers for machine shipments and parts shipments that go by truck, (3) processing daily international parts export documents and shipments in the International Documentation Specialist's absence, (4) auditing all inbound and outbound freight bills, and (5) reviewing and preparing all letter of credit shipments.
This position also provides invoicing backup for domestic parts sales in the Returned Good Coordinator's absence.
Key Accountabilities:
1. What - Process daily Canada parts shipments, and international shipments as backup.
How - Make sure orders are shipped per customer specifications with proper documentation.
Ship all emergency orders same day or as specified.
Provide free trade agreement certificates for all eligible export shipments.
Invoice orders daily, making sure all parts shipped are invoiced in the same month.
2. What - Set up carriers for machine and parts shipments.
How - Maintain list of EPI preferred carriers and use them whenever possible. Know which carriers are accountable for insuring on-time delivery to EPI customers. Develop and maintain positive, professional relationships with carriers. Stay abreast of current rates and discounts. Know freight classes. Determine container size requirements for machine shipments. Work closely and effectively with the Administrative Sales Manager to ensure success.
3. What - Audit freight bills on inbound and outbound shipments from EPE and other locations.
How - Maintain daily UPS and FedEx shipment reports files. Maintain bills of lading file. Reconcile shipment reports and BOLs with freight bills monthly. Work with carriers to clear up any billing discrepancies.
4. What - Serve as a resource for shipping information to peers and to employees outside the department.
How - Be an expert in getting shipments right and on time. Know the internal and external processes for getting machines and parts shipped the right way. Know SAP. Work effectively with coworkers, offering and accepting help as needed to meet customer requirements and ensure efficient operation of the department Have positive interactions with internal customers and other employees.
5. What - Review and prepare letter of credit shipments.
How - Review letter of credit with Administrative Sales Manager for amendments that are needed. Work with forwarder to get air or ocean quotes and set up shipment. Prepare documentation to meet the letter of credit requirements. Work with bank to receive payment before letter of credit expires
Key Challenges:
• The external environment, including technology, competition, markets: Rates and freight classes change sometimes without notice. Country documentation requirements change often. Maintain up-to-date carrier list for both LTL and TL and know what carriers will be able to do the best job for our customer. Make sure EPI is set up and credit-approved with TL carriers. Make sure we have proper information from customers/vendor regarding number of pallets, units, and sizes when shipping equipment from a remote location. Deal with terminal managers to get freight bills properly rated and corrections made. Work with bank to receive letter of credit payments before expiry.
• The internal environment, including interaction with others, (both inside and outside the company) policies/practices: Maintain good working relationship with International Documentation Specialist. Work closely with Sales Coordinators to satisfy country requirements and timely delivery. Interact positively and professionally with several internal departments (purchasing, accounting, credit) regarding routing of inbound freight, getting the proper account number on freight bills, tracing shipments, and providing commercial invoices to our customers so their accounts can be brought up to date. Work with Administrative Sales Manager to review letter of credits for amendments.
• The work itself, i.e., problems, opportunities, change: Everyone is being challenged to use new tools to provide higher levels of service. Receiving late notice of shipments-especially those that must go on a Friday-provides little time to find a suitable carrier. Need to have ongoing computer training.
Scope:
The traffic coordinator is the front line of Novolex machine shipments that results in around $30 million in sales annually. This position also directly impacts the achievement of on-time shipment goals.
Knowledge and Experience:
Good communication skills are required as many of the tasks involve interfaces with a variety of customers, employees, and suppliers domestically, worldwide, and within the company. Excellent customer service attitudes, professional phone etiquette, correspondence, and people skills are keys to success. The ability and willingness to work closely with Sales Coordinators, the International Documentation Specialist, and other coworkers is key to efficient operation of the department. The ability to learn about the machines and understand machine terminology is needed. Nearly all of the tasks require proficient use of a computer. Keyboard skills along with word processing and Excel are requirements.
Company Benefits
What You'll Get From Us
Benefits
With safety as our top priority and a commitment to employee well-being an important focus, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits that include medical, dental and vision insurance as well as a variety of other well-being resources focused on mental, physical and financial health. Specific benefits and well-being programs may vary depending on where you work.
Community Engagement
At Novolex, giving back to the local communities that support us is important. Our Focused Giving Program prioritizes support for organizations whose missions promote sustainability initiatives or address food and hunger needs. We also encourage facility level support of activities in the communities where our employees live and work.
Training and Development
We offer constant opportunities for advancement. From skills development to advanced education programs, training and development programs and courses are available through MyLearning. Programs include company and industry training curricula, support for formal education through the Tuition Reimbursement Program (Non-Union), and a Learning Management System that supports and enhances employee skills at all levels of the organization.
Novolex is committed to providing equal employment opportunity in all employment practices, including but not limited to selection, hiring, promotion, transfer, and compensation to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, handicap or disability, genetics, citizenship status, service member or veteran status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. Any individual who, because of his or her disability, needs an accommodation in connection with an aspect of the Company's application process should contact myHRservices@novolex.com.
Formerly Pactiv Evergreen