4PL Specialist

September, 2024

The Partnership for Supply Chain Management Job Description

TITLE:                                4PL Specialist

REPORTS TO:                   Freight Cost & Planning Team Lead

LOCATION:                       Project Management Office, Woerden, Netherlands (PMO-NL)  

STATUS:                           Full-time

Organization description

The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PFSCM) focuses on strengthening and managing secure, reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable global supply chains to enhance health and well-being in low- and middle-income countries by increasing access to quality and affordable health products. We assist governments, non-profit organizations, and humanitarian agencies in achieving their public health objectives through cost-saving procurement, efficient logistics, pharma-grade storage, last-mile delivery solutions, and real-time data tracking. PFSCM is dedicated to customer satisfaction and service excellence, which is reflected in our adherence to an ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System and alignment with ISO 20400 for Sustainable Procurement, which underpins all our processes and services.

As an affiliate of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI), a leading international public health and education consultant company in the U.S., PFSCM operates from its project management headquarters in Washington D.C., and has an operational facility in Woerden, Netherlands. Additionally, we leverage the extensive network of 50 JSI offices around the world, allowing us to access their technical and operational expertise.

PFSCM's global team includes a diverse array of professionals from various countries who contribute to the effectiveness of our services. This diversity enriches our ability to connect with clients and collaborate internally. We believe our mission can be achieved by fostering a purpose- and results-driven culture. We strive to create an environment where our values of collaboration, learning, proactivity, problem-solving, and outcome orientation are reflected in our daily work.

Overall responsibilities

The 4PL Specialist is expected to support the 4PL Services Model in producing transport plans,

confirming shipment costs, and maintaining accurate records in the ERP system. The 4PL Specialist is

responsible for managing data inputs to both the transport plan and shipment cost processes, including

partner site data and routing information, accurately and in a timely manner. The 4PL Specialist should

also proactively identify and resolve errors and suggest process improvements for 4PL Services processes.

The 4PL Specialist is a member of the 4PL Logistics team and is expected to work in close collaboration

with other Units, particularly Client Services, Logistics, PIM, Finance & Accounting, and IT.

Specific responsibilities

• Transport Plans. Compile logical and cost-effective freight budgets, taking into account temperature sensitivities and consolidation. It should make sufficient provision for direct freight costs, planned value-added services, and 4PL revenue.


• Allocation of shipments. Shipments to be allocated to forwarders based on the current lane allocations or spot quotes.


• Shipment Cost Management. Approve (checking these against the corresponding budget in the transport plan) and keep track of planned costs during the end-to-end delivery process. Identify and mitigate any possible cost variances. Support ongoing efforts to streamline and automate this process.


• Create and maintain the PFSCM Partner Sites and Routing Guide.


• Attend and actively participate in weekly Operational Calls with your allocated 3PL account and maintain the agenda and minutes for them.


• Collaborate with the Logistics country teams to assist with forward planning, visibility on the upcoming PO pipeline, and highlight any potential projects.

• Participate in incident review meetings and investigate root causes and draw corrective action plans.


• Ad hoc analysis and reports on operational work.


• General collaboration with other departments to assist with any queries.

Qualifications

Professional and Technical Knowledge

•  At least 3 years of hands-on experience in freight forwarding operations and an understanding of
  end-to-end logistics.


• In-depth understanding of freight booking, freight pricing, and cost avoidance techniques.


• Experience with ERP or other Transportation Management Systems is preferred.


• Prior experience working in global health logistics with an emphasis on managing transportation
  to developing countries.


• Willingness to learn financial management within the supply chain context with emphasis on invoicing (commodity and 3PLs), reconciliations, forecasting, and budgets.


• Excellent analytical skills with demonstrated ability to collect, analyze, and produce relevant
  reports from available data.
  


• Specific logistical data knowledge relative to weight, dimensions, load optimization, and their
  impact on freight cost.


• General understanding of cold chain packaging, data loggers, and freight management.
  
  

Interpersonal Skills/Communication 

• Fluency in English is required;


• Excellent written/verbal communication and interpersonal skills with a strong sense of customer
  service.


• Strong organization skills with an eye for details, ability to plan, prioritize, and implement day-to-day operations in a timely manner in a fast moving, dynamic, and time-bound environment

Continuous improvement/Innovative

• Affinity for identifying and championing new ideas and process improvements. 
  
  

Leadership/Strategic Thinking 

• Solution-oriented with a high sense of quality, attention to detail, accuracy, efficiency and
  meeting tight deadlines.


• Team player who is also able to work independently and handle conflicting priorities while
  maintaining consistent, quality performance standards.

Disclaimer:

PFSCM is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees and to fostering a workplace free from discrimination. We believe in upholding the values of individual merit, hard work, and excellence, and we actively oppose any practices that promote illegal preferences or actions in hiring, contracting, or other employment decisions or practices. We strive to create an environment where every individual is treated with dignity and respect, and we are dedicated to promoting a culture that recognizes and rewards individual initiative and achievements.

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and unable to apply online for an available position, you may submit your request for reasonable accommodation by calling Human Resources at 617-482-9485.