Associate Director, Inbound Logistics
Join one of the fastest growing, most dynamic companies in the furniture industry. For over 25 years, Four Hands has been a leading designer and wholesaler of furniture and décor, helping people create spaces that feel like home.
Recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies and named one of Austin’s Top Workplaces year after year. We invest in exceptional people — with a team of over 800 and growing — fostering our employees’ careers and celebrating them at every step of the way. Four Hands is where passion meets purpose and where your next chapter begins.
The Associate Director, Inbound Logistics leads Four Hands’ global transportation and trade compliance operations, ensuring the timely, cost-effective, and compliant movement of imported furniture from international suppliers to U.S. distribution centers. This role oversees ocean freight, drayage, and customs compliance, driving operational excellence while maintaining strong partnerships with freight forwarders, carriers, customs brokers, and internal teams.
In This Role
- Lead and coordinate all inbound shipments from international suppliers to U.S. entry ports, warehouses, and distribution centers
- Oversee ocean freight and drayage operations to ensure on-time delivery while minimizing detention and demurrage costs
- Manage container visibility and optimize routing, consolidation, and utilization to reduce landed costs
- Develop and manage KPIs for logistics partners measuring on-time delivery, cost efficiency, and accuracy
- Negotiate contracts and rates with carriers, forwarders, and drayage providers to achieve cost savings and service reliability
- Oversee all U.S. import compliance activities including HTS classification, valuation, country of origin, marking, and documentation
- Ensure accurate and compliant use of HTS codes, duty rates, and free trade program eligibility
- Review and approve customs entry documentation prepared by brokers and freight forwarders
- Monitor and resolve CBP requests, holds, inquiries, and penalties
- Develop and maintain import compliance policies, procedures, and control frameworks aligned with U.S. Customs regulations and company objectives
- Conduct internal audits and broker performance reviews to ensure accuracy and compliance consistency
- Partner cross-functionally with Product Development, Origin Teams, Logistics, and Finance to align trade compliance strategies
- Provide compliance support for new product introductions, design updates, and packaging changes that impact classification or labeling
- Lead, coach, and develop a team of logistics coordinators and analysts
- Other duties as assigned, in accordance with training and qualifications
- Uphold the Core Values and be a valuable member of the Four Hands Team
- Be open and honest
- Reach for excellence
- Act with responsibility
- Value the whole person
- Enjoy the journey
Leadership and Team Management
- Lead and mentor team members ensuring efficient and effective operations
- Set clear, measurable goals ensuring team accountability and focus
- Foster communication and collaboration across the team, supporting innovation and the adoption of digital tools
- Encourage individual growth through coaching, feedback, and development opportunities
- Promote a mindset of continuous improvement by encouraging teams to reflect on performance
- Support teams through organizational change by communicating clearly and maintaining transparency and empathy
- Execute operational plans that align departmental goals with company priorities
- Analyze market trends and performance data to inform decision-making and identify opportunities for growth
The Ideal Person
- 5+ years of experience in international logistics or transportation management, ideally within furniture, consumer goods, or retail import operations
- 5+ years of experience leading and developing logistics or supply chain teams, including performance management and coaching
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, International Business, or a related field
- Deep understanding of ocean freight, U.S. port operations, customs clearance, and inland distribution
- Experienced in managing freight forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers to ensure efficient and compliant operations
- Strong knowledge of CBP regulations, HTS classification, valuation, and country of origin requirements
- Skilled in analyzing data and managing cost and service trade-offs to drive performance and efficiency
- Highly organized with strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple imports, vendors, and priorities at once
- Proficient with logistics and compliance systems such as TMS, ERP, ACE, ABI, or global trade management software (e.g., Descartes, Integration Point, SAP GTS)Licensed U.S. Customs Broker a plus
- Experience managing imports from Asia preferred
About Four Hands
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, since 1996, Four Hands crafts furniture, art and décor — pieces that are all about creating space. Timeless, thoughtful designs with endless possibilities. Pieces meant to be experienced and form a whole that feels like home.
Our trade customers range from interior designers to large retailers who rely on our expertise to grow and guide their business to success. We treat our partners as part of the Four Hands family, championing them and rooting for their every win.
And, we are constantly pursuing better — from sourcing the finest materials and finishes to seeking fresh inspiration to elevate our designs — we are never settled, never done.
Four Hands is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Four Hands recruits qualified applicants and advances in employment its employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, ethnic or national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Visit www.FourHands.com for more information.
