At Flexport, we believe global trade can move the human race forward. That’s why it’s our mission to make global commerce so easy there will be more of it. We’re shaping the future of a $10T industry with solutions powered by innovative technology and exceptional people. Today, companies of all sizes—from emerging brands to Fortune 500s—use Flexport technology to move more than $19B of merchandise across 112 countries a year.
The recent global supply chain crisis has put Flexport center stage as we continue to play a pivotal role in how goods move around the world. We are proud to have the support of the best investors in the game who believe in our mission, solutions and people. Ready to tackle global challenges that impact business, society, and the environment? Come join us.
At Flexport, we are building the unified Supply Chain Operating System for global trade. While traditional consulting firms deliver slide decks and walk away, Flexport’s Forward Deployed Consultants (FDCs) embed directly on the operational frontline alongside enterprise clients to architect, build, and deploy real-time supply chain solutions.
Operating alongside a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE), you are a senior technical subject matter expert sitting at the intersection of Operations Research, data science, supply chain strategy, and executive client delivery. You will embed with Fortune 500 retailers, high-tech manufacturers, and global brand leadership to audit complex logistics networks, identify multi-million-dollar cost leaks, and build executable optimization models that transform client supply chains.
You will serve as the solution design lead across a set of Flexport capabilities:
- Order, booking, and shipment management
- Transportation planning, consolidation, and exception management
- Data integrations, workflow automation, and operational analytics
You won't just analyze data in a vacuum: you will write Python scripts, design supply chain algorithms, whiteboard architectures with C-suite leaders, and deploy live automated workflows that optimize cargo moving across ocean, air, and land networks.
You Will- Embed & Audit: Deploy directly to client headquarters and logistics hubs to map physical and digital processes, audit supply chain data, uncover root-cause bottlenecks, and quantify hard-dollar ROI across freight, tariffs, and inventory.
- Architect Optimization Models: Design, prototype, and scale mathematical supply chain models using Python, SQL, and proprietary tools. Focus on mode mix planning, 3D origin bin-packing, container payload balancing, dynamic safety stock, and supplier consolidation.
- Lead Solution Design & Product Integration: Serve as the technical solution design lead across Flexport capabilities (Order & Shipment Management, Transportation Planning, Data Integration). Partner with FDEs and core engineering teams to turn your mathematical models into production workflows inside the Flexport Control Tower and Workflows platform.
- Drive Executive Strategy & Proposals: Partner with commercial teams to co-create high-impact client proposals. Translate complex data models into clear business stories, presenting ROI projections directly to executive stakeholders (COOs, CFOs, VPs of Supply Chain).
- Bridge Strategy & Frontline Execution: Work side-by-side with frontline operations teams at ports, cross-docks, and client sites to validate models in live workflows, collect operational feedback, and ensure lasting adoption.
- Own End-to-End Program Workstreams: Manage 90-day deployment sprints from start to finish—building project roadmaps, running data pipelines, eliminating roadblocks, and delivering measurable results against aggressive timelines.
- Measure Financial & Environmental Impact: Rigorously monitor project metrics, measuring hard-dollar cost reductions (demurrage saved, modal savings, etc)
- Productize Field Insights: Identify root causes of logistics losses, build reusable playbooks, and partner with product managers to transform solutions into permanent platform features.
- Educational Background: BA/BS or higher in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Computer Science, Applied Physics, Supply Chain, or a related technical field.
- Supply Chain & Logistics Expertise: 6+ years of professional experience in senior/staff roles in supply chain management/consulting, product management, logistics engineering, or freight forwarding.
- Technical & Analytical: Proficiency in Python, SQL, and data visualization tools (Looker, Tableau).
- Mathematical Modeling & Systems Thinking: Proven ability for systems-thinking to build decision-support systems, reason about end-to-end physical dependencies, and handle imperfect enterprise data.
- Technical Program Management: Demonstrated success overseeing project workstreams from problem definition through setting goals, prototyping, delivery management, risk management, adoption, and impact measurement.
- Executive Communication & Influence: Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to whiteboard complex workflows, build deep trust with technical and business stakeholders, and push back constructively on the status quo.
- Frontline Grit: Willingness to get your hands dirty learning ground operations on-site at ports, warehouses, and client logistics hubs.
- Mindset: Self-starter mentality, comfortable navigating high ambiguity, with a relentless bias toward action and value delivery. Strong attention to detail and proficient problem solving skills.
- Formal certifications or experience in Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, Agile, SCRUM, or Continuous Improvement methodologies.
- Deep expertise in global freight forwarding, customs compliance, TMS/WMS software (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Manhattan), or trade finance.
- Prior experience in high-growth tech startups, top-tier management/supply chain consulting firms, or product management environments.
#LI-Onsite
Location: San Francisco, CA (up to 50% travel required)
At Flexport, our ability to fulfill our mission of making global commerce easy and accessible relies on having a diverse, dedicated and engaged workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, health status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Global Data Privacy Notice for Job Candidates and ApplicantsDepending on your location, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) may regulate the way we manage the data of job applicants. By submitting your application, you are agreeing to our use and processing of your data as required. Please see our Privacy Notice available at www.flexport.com/privacy for additional information.
Skills Required
- BA/BS or higher in Industrial Engineering, Operations Research, Computer Science, Applied Physics, Supply Chain, or related technical field
- 4+ years professional experience in supply chain management, consulting, logistics engineering, freight forwarding, or product management
- Proficiency in Python
- Proficiency in SQL
- Experience with data visualization tools (Looker, Tableau)
- Proven ability in mathematical modeling, systems thinking, and decision-support systems
- Technical program management experience overseeing projects from definition through delivery and adoption
- Outstanding executive communication and stakeholder influence skills
- Willingness to work on-site at ports, warehouses, and client logistics hubs (frontline operations experience)
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 50%
- Self-starter mentality, strong attention to detail, and problem-solving skills
- Formal certifications or experience in Lean, Six Sigma, PMP, Agile, SCRUM, or Continuous Improvement methodologies
- Deep expertise in global freight forwarding, customs compliance, or TMS/WMS software (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Manhattan)
- Prior experience in high-growth tech startups, top-tier management/supply chain consulting firms, or product management environments
Flexport Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Flexport and has not been reviewed or approved by Flexport.
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Fair & Transparent Compensation — Pay is considered competitive for engineering, data, and some go-to-market roles, with strong reported total compensation in senior tech bands. Compensation is also framed as broadly in line with market ranges for mid-level sales positions.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as offering multiple plan options with preventive care and prescription coverage, alongside dental and vision. Company-paid disability and basic life/AD&D are positioned as part of a comparatively robust core insurance package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Leave is framed as generous through flexible/unlimited PTO and a defined set of paid holidays for exempt staff. Paid parental leave is described with extended time for birthing and non-birthing parents, including a phased return program in some materials.
Flexport Insights
What We Do
Founded in 2013, we believe trade can move the human race forward. That’s why our mission at Flexport is to make global commerce so easy there will be more of it. The recent global supply chain crisis has put Flexport center stage as we continue to play a pivotal role in how goods move around the world. We’re shaping the future of a $8.6T industry with solutions powered by innovative technology and exceptional people Today, companies of all sizes—from emerging brands to Fortune 500s—use Flexport technology to move more than $19B worth of merchandise across 112 countries every year.
Why Work With Us
Global logistics is the circulatory system for the world economy. Our global team of entrepreneurs is empowered to make the important decisions, to advocate for what is right regardless of the bottom line, and to see their ideas tested in the laboratory of the real world. We are uniquely positioned to simplify trade and built to make it happen.
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