.**About the Role**The Logistics Assistant has primary responsibility for safely and accurately assisting in handling the transportation needs of the business (domestic and/or international), while also performing administrative accounting functions and ensuring adherence to proper control procedures of the business unit.This role will be in daily communication with all inbound and outbound facilities and/or other transportation partners regarding problem resolution, scheduling, and information retrieval. Daily, the Merchandiser/Logistics Assistant will be making and managing various modes of transportation including container bookings, lining up trucks/drayage, and transloading services while providing high-level customer service to providers and customers.In addition, this role will support the management and execution of transportation services by assisting with activities such as rate analysis, invoice verification, issuing rail billing, customs clearances, and monitoring equipment. The Merchandiser/Logistics Assistant must enter all pertinent information in their business unit's expert system daily and is required to report all perceived control policy or procedure concerns to the controller. This role contributes to positive customer and vendor relations, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation of both the logistics and merchandising aspects of the business.- Manage inbound and outbound domestic and/or international shipments. Communicate continuously with all stakeholders in the supply chain ensuring smooth and on time delivery.- Promptly address and resolve all unexpected transportation related issues in the supply chain, engaging the help of teammates where necessary. Ensure disruptions to logistics are anticipated and reacted to with insight, resolve, and leadership.- Plan, negotiate costs, execute ensuring associated costs are accurately incurred; investigating and disputing any inaccuracies with appropriate parties with the goal to confirm and reduce costs- Record documentation progress in Scoular internal systems and update the entries as each step is completed in the process. Identify opportunities for better utilization of transportation with focus on continuous improvement such as freight cost savings and work with Manager to implement savings while maintaining high level of service.- Focus on long term strategic sourcing and relationship management with customers, vendors, service providers, etc. Track relevant metrics, key performance indicators prescribed by manager with focus on identifying efficiencies.- Responsible for auditing all origin and destination demurrage and detention claims, taking the lead to acquire all necessary information to convey to Merchandisers, sales and/or Logistics Manager. Complete scheduled reports, special projects, and additional tasks, or other job functions within your team.- Responsible for accurate and timely information entry and reporting functions