Procurement Coordinator

Position Summary

The Procurement Coordinator owns KCE Logistics' carrier and vendor procurement function across all modes of transportation and supporting services — trucking, ocean, air, rail, warehousing, customs brokerage, last-mile, and drayage. This role is responsible for building and maintaining a strong, reliable supplier base, negotiating competitive buy rates and service terms, and partnering closely with the commercial team to enable winning quotes. The Procurement Coordinator combines hands-on sourcing and negotiation with strategic cost control, supplier performance management, and market intelligence to protect margins and support KCE's commercial growth goals.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing, Vendor & Rate Negotiation

• Source, vet, and onboard carriers and service providers (trucking, ocean, air, rail, warehousing, customs brokerage, last-mile, and drayage) to build a strong, reliable vendor base.
• Negotiate buying rates, terms, and service levels with all vendors and carrier/supplier partners to secure the most competitive position for KCE on both spot/one-off shipments and longer-term contract rates.
• Lead contract and pricing discussions, including SLAs, fuel surcharges, accessorial charges, rebates, renewals, and volume agreements.
• Run RFQs and tenders for specific lanes and annual freight bids.

Systems & Data Management

• Organize, input, and maintain accurate vendor, rate, and contract data in KCE's systems (TMS / procurement system).
• Track pricing trends and produce reporting that supports decision-making.

Supplier Performance & Compliance

• Track carrier and vendor KPIs — on-time performance, claims, and service quality — using scorecards, and manage underperforming suppliers.
• Vet vendors before onboarding: insurance, operating authority, safety ratings (e.g., FMCSA), credit, and sanctions/KYC checks.

Commercial Team Support

• Partner closely with the commercial/sales team, supplying the buy rates and vendor options they need to quote competitively and close more deals.
• Respond quickly to rate requests, sourcing the best available pricing for specific opportunities and bids.
• Contribute procurement insight into pricing strategy, tenders, and key account proposals.

Business Development & Representation

• Represent KCE at industry events, trade shows, and conferences to promote the company and expand its network.
• Travel to meet vendors, leads, and partners, strengthening existing relationships and opening new ones.
• Identify new supplier and partnership opportunities that improve KCE's buying position and service offering.

Strategy & Market Intelligence

• Develop and execute a procurement strategy aligned with KCE's commercial growth goals.
• Drive cost control and margin protection across lanes and accounts, identifying cost-saving, efficiency, and process-improvement opportunities across the supply base.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 5+ years of procurement, carrier/vendor sourcing, or rate-buying experience within freight forwarding, 3PL, NVOCC, or transportation/logistics.
• Demonstrated success negotiating buy rates and service terms across multiple transportation modes (ocean, air, trucking, and related services).
• Strong working knowledge of freight pricing components — fuel surcharges, accessorials, SLAs, and contract structures.
• Proficiency with a TMS and/or procurement system and strong data-management and reporting skills (including Excel).
• Familiarity with carrier compliance and vetting (FMCSA safety ratings, operating authority, insurance, and sanctions/KYC screening).
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally for vendor meetings and industry events.

Preferred

• Bilingual English/Spanish, given KCE's multinational operations (U.S., Brazil, Colombia, and Chile) and South Florida market.
• Established carrier and vendor network across U.S. and Latin America trade lanes.
• Experience running annual freight bids/tenders and managing supplier scorecards.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, or similar).

Key Competencies

• Negotiation & commercial acumen
• Analytical and data-driven decision-making
• Relationship building and supplier management
• Results orientation and sense of urgency
• Cross-functional collaboration (with sales/commercial)
• Integrity and sound judgment in compliance and vetting

Equal Employment Opportunity

KCE Logistics is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal law or the Florida Civil Rights Act. KCE participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility where applicable.