The KION Group - encompassing the seven brands of Linde, STILL, Fenwick, OM STILL, Baoli, Voltas and Dematic - is a global leader in material handling. Located in Summerville, SC, KION North America Corporation (KNA) is the responsible entity for serving the markets of USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Transport Specialist will ensure components and products of KION North America (KNA) are transported to and within the United States of America via the most timely and cost-efficient method. This will require the development and management of internal control programs to measure all transport operations activity and maintain a high standard of performance. The Transport Specialist will work closely with other KNA personnel, departments, suppliers, carriers, and customs brokers to facilitate all transport operations activity.
The Transport Specialist will especially work closely with the URBAN Central Departments in Germany, mainly Purchasing and Transport, to ensure an end-to-end solution with the best service to KNA.

What we offer:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Operational handling of all shipments from overseas, including sea freight, air freight, and parcel services handled by Urban logistics.
• Daily interactions with local transport partners, such as freight forwarders, customs brokers, shipping companies, parcel service providers, and local drayage/trucking companies.
• Monitoring and coordinating all Air and Ocean shipments to KNA operations in Summerville, including shipment status, arrival dates, customs status, documentation, scheduling inbound delivery appointments, etc.
• Facilitate all import transport, tracking & tracing, and delivery needs for Direct Container shipments from Europe to KNA dealers and end users throughout North America.
• Weekly and monthly KPI and metrics report-outs to KNA Summerville Supply Chain leadership.
• Working actively together with Urban Germany on local adjustments and improvements on all related partners operationally, as well as on cost efficiency and services.

Tasks and Qualifications:

Education & Qualifications:

• BS/BA in supply chain management, business, engineering, or equivalent.
• 3-5 years of international transport operations experience, ideally in industrial equipment manufacturing or automotive sector.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. A good listener with good presentation skills.
• Excellent decision-making, multi-tasking, and organizational, and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of engineering, quality, and manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP knowledge required, SAP knowledge preferred.
• Fluent in English. German a plus.

Interfaces:

• Urban Germany (air & sea freight department, purchasing, transport, controlling, finance, IT).
• Logistics KNA / Spare Parts KNA
• External partners (customs, forwarders, port authority).
• Internal partners in the exporting countries.