Freight and Customs Manager

Position Overview

The Freight and Customs Manager is responsible for the end-to-end management of K18’s international and domestic freight, imports, customs compliance, and related transportation operations. This role owns the movement of goods between Vendors , Contract manufacturers (CMs), 3PLs, and customers — ensuring shipments are routed on time, in full, and in compliance with all applicable trade, customs, and EU/international regulations. The Freight and Customs Manager partners closely with 3PLs, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and cross-functional teams to Ensure service, optimize freight cost, mitigate risk, and support accurate financial close. This is a hands-on, execution-focused role combining operational ownership of parcel, US trucking and international shipping with strategic oversight of duty drawback, import cost analysis, and customs compliance.

Responsibilities

Freight & CM Movement

• Act as the main point of contact for all freight movements between contract manufacturers, 3PLs, and warehouses.

• Act as the main point of contact for parcel delivery at K18 owning the relationship with UPS and cost optimization of all parcel shipments.

• Oversee all Vendor-to-CM and CM-to-warehouse movements, ensuring all safety processes are followed and being the main escalation point for security proactive and reactive protocol.

• Conduct freight forwarders freight cost analysis to identify savings and optimize lane performance.

• Drive process improvements in shipping, receiving, packaging, labeling, and freight documentation with a focus on double stacking and load optimization.

• Oversee the filing and resolution of freight claims for loss and/or damages.

International Shipping, Imports & Customs

• Follow all international orders daily to ensure they are routed in time to make the month’s revenue.

• Route shipments with international customers and freight forwarders in line with Incoterms and customer routing guides.

• Create a Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI) for every international shipment.

• Coordinate with AGS to create Certificates of Origin (COO) for required customers and destinations.

• Manage and resolve all mis-ships, including re-routing, documentation corrections, and claims.

• Provide Omni approval of all imports and associated landed cost.

• Conduct monthly import cost analysis and report variances and risks to Finance and Operations.

• Route Amazon EU shipments with Passport and approve associated shipping costs.

• Ensure all logistics activities adhere to ISO and other relevant trade and quality standards.

Customs Compliance & Duty Drawback

• Own EU and international compliance, including HS classification, country-of-origin documentation, and custom required paper in collaboration with the regulatory team.

• Ensure compliance with all customs laws, trade regulations, and company policies across all import and export activities.

• Lead the duty drawback program: clean up and provide all documentation required, including historical data from 2022–2025.

• Partner with customs broker on bills, classifications, and breakdown of duties; review and approve custom broker invoices.

Finance, Cost & Month-End

• Approve vendor bills in NetSuite related to freight, customs, duties, and international shipping.

• Break down all UPS invoices for the entire company, including DHL allocations.

• Track performance, pricing, and OTIF delivery to ensure carrier and broker accountability.

• Support end-of-month close by ensuring freight cost inputs, invoicing records, and import cost data are accurate and complete.

• Communicate freight and duty variances, risks, and savings opportunities to Leadership.

Risk Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Identify and mitigate risks in freight and customs operations, including supply chain disruptions, tariff changes, and compliance issues.

• Liaise and negotiate with carriers, customs brokers, freight forwarders, and international customers to ensure seamless cross-border operations.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Supply chain, procurement, sales,