Forward Deployed Consultant- Supply Chain Solutions Full Time

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.

You Should Have

• 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.

Bonus Points (What Will Make You Stand Out)

• 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)