European Logistics Manager

About ALO and Role Overview

At ALO, mindful movement is central to our ethos, influencing not only our studio practices but also life beyond the mat, enriching communities globally. We are seeking a European Logistics Manager to lead our import/export logistics, focusing on transport operations, customs compliance, and international trade processes.

This position entails managing the smooth transit of containers from regional ports to distribution centers, ensuring adherence to global trade regulations, and optimizing costs and service with our transportation and brokerage partners. The successful candidate will operate in a dynamic supply chain setting requiring attention to detail and strong operational skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate cargo shipments from ports to distribution or transload facilities.
• Oversee drayage carriers to guarantee timely pickups, deliveries, and returns of empty containers.
• Monitor port conditions including congestion, terminal limits, chassis availability, and appointments.
• Manage demurrage and detention risks by proactively reducing unnecessary fees.
• Validate and approve drayage-related invoices and assess billing accuracy including accessorial charges.
• Maintain shipment visibility through TMS or internal tracking systems.
• Manage relationships with final mile carriers serving retail restocking, e-commerce deliveries, and returns.
• Evaluate carrier service KPIs such as on-time performance, delivery exceptions, and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular business reviews to improve carrier service quality, cost efficiency, and network performance.
• Collaborate with Transportation and Distribution teams to optimize routing and carrier deployment, especially during high-demand seasons.
• Serve as the main escalation contact for significant final mile service disruptions, coordinating solutions with carriers and internal teams.
• Work alongside customs brokers to facilitate compliant, timely customs clearance.
• Review commercial invoices, packing lists, and trade documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Support adherence to import/export trade regulations and maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Assist in managing duty optimization initiatives such as Free Trade Agreements and bonded movements.
• Stay current with regulatory changes affecting trade operations.
• Track carrier performance metrics to identify opportunities to reduce costs related to detention, demurrage, and port storage.
• Support monthly reconciliation of freight and brokerage invoices and assist in carrier procurement and negotiation processes.
• Analyze transportation expenditures and delivery performance to drive continuous operational improvement.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Planning, Distribution, Retail, Transportation, Finance, and external vendors to ensure seamless cargo flow.
• Provide stakeholders with updates on shipment visibility and potential risks.
• Contribute to peak season planning and contingency preparation for volume surges or port disruptions.
• Engage in continuous improvement projects to enhance trade and drayage effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in drayage, ocean import/export, trade operations, or international logistics.
• Deep understanding of port operations, container lifecycle, and intermodal transport systems.
• Practical knowledge of customs clearance and trade compliance.
• Experience managing relationships with brokers, drayage carriers, and freight forwarders.
• Proficiency with TMS, ERP systems, and shipment tracking tools.
• Strong analytical skills to oversee cost and performance indicators.
• High attention to detail coupled with excellent organizational and problem-solving capabilities.
• Effective communication skills to engage internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Experience

• Familiarity with UK and EU import regulations and Harmonized Tariff Schedule classification.
• Knowledge of demurrage and detention charge mitigation techniques.
• Experience with duty optimization programs and trade compliance audits.
• Background in retail, apparel, or consumer goods supply chains.