Logistics Buyer
Gallagher KaiserLocation: Troy, Michigan | Employee Type: Full-time Company Overview: Universal Piping Industries (UPI) is a leader in the design, fabrication and installation of industrial piping & plumbing systems. UPI maintains a corporate headquarters in Troy, Michigan and a primary fabrication facility in Georgetown, Kentucky. With additional fabrication in Detroit, MI. Position Summary: The Logistics Buyer sources and manages the freight, carrier, warehousing and third-party logistics (3PL) services that move our products at the lowest total landed cost and the required service level. This role negotiates contracts, evaluates providers, monitors performance and works with operations and purchasing to keep goods flowing on time. Key Responsibilities: Sourcing and contracting Source, evaluate and select freight carriers (truckload, LTL, parcel, ocean, air, intermodal), 3PLs, warehouses and packaging suppliers Run RFQs and RFPs, benchmark rates, and negotiate contracts, rate agreements and service level agreements (SLAs) Maintain compliant, current contracts and manage renewals, fuel surcharges and accessorial terms Cost and performance management Analyze total landed cost, lane volumes and mode mix to find savings without hurting service Track carrier KPIs such as on-time delivery, claims ratio, tender acceptance and cost per shipment, and lead quarterly business reviews Audit freight invoices, resolve billing disputes and process claims Cross-functional coordination Partner with Purchasing, Operations, and Sales on shipping schedules, capacity and service issues Support peak-season and disruption planning, including backup carriers and contingency routing Ensure compliance with customs, DOT, hazmat and trade regulations where applicable Reporting and systems Maintain vendor records Prepare monthly spend, savings and supplier performance reports for leadership Support supplier onboarding, including insurance, safety and credit checks Qualifications: Required Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business or a related field, or equivalent experience. 1+ years in logistics, transportation procurement or strategic sourcing. Proven record of negotiating carrier or 3PL contracts and delivering measurable savings. Strong analytical skills, including advanced Excel (pivot tables, lookups) and comfort with large rate datasets. Working knowledge of freight modes, Incoterms, accessorial charges and freight classification. Preferred Experience with international shipping, customs brokerage or import/export compliance. Core Competencies and Working Conditions: Competencies Negotiation and influencing skills, with sound commercial judgment Analytical, detail-oriented and comfortable making decisions with incomplete data Clear written and verbal communication with carriers, vendors and internal teams Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond quickly to shipping disruptions Collaborative, ethical and vendor-neutral in supplier selection Working conditions Primarily office-based with occasional travel (up to 10%) for carrier meetings, site visits and trade events Extended computer use; occasional on-call availability during peak season or supply disruptions Degree Required Bachelor's Degree Travel Requirement No Job Requirements Freight Import/Export Compliance Microsoft Excel International Shipping Data Analysis Analytical Skills Division Universal Piping Industries (UPI)