Apply: Transportation Project Manager
TRANSPORTATION PROJECT MANAGER
Artech is the Pacific Northwest's premier fine arts handling and collection management firm. Artech provides our clients access to a global network of industry professionals and is a leader in the field of art handling, specializing in the latest, state-of-the-art techniques for the preservation of art investments. Artech's long-standing reputation of quality and professionalism in fine art services is world renowned.
The Transportation Project Manager is an integral part of the daily operations for a fast-paced, high-volume project management and logistics team in the fine arts industry. This is a client-facing position that provides excellent customer service through impeccable communication, accurate representation of client needs, and prompt execution of commercial processes. This role partners with the logistics team and other internal resources to assure seamless and efficient service, and requires an understanding of art collection management processes and the ability to apply this knowledge to the long-term care of a wide variety of collections.
Aligned within the Transportation Department and reporting to the Transportation Department Manager, this Project Manager specializes in the planning, coordination, and execution of domestic and international art shipping and freight movement. The role carries the full responsibilities of an Artech Project Manager while serving as the department's project-level subject matter expert for transportation and logistics. The Transportation Project Manager also serves as a backup to Project Managers in other service lines to provide coverage during absences or periods of peak demand.
Core Project Manager Responsibilities
As a Project Manager, this role is responsible for the following:
• Provides excellent front-line, responsive customer service through oral, written, and visual communication.
• Gathers initial client expectations and requirements to develop a scope of work.
• Proactively develops long-term client relationships and identifies future needs and opportunities for them.
• Responds to client concerns and inquiries to resolve issues promptly and ensure client satisfaction.
• Understands and manages client expectations, requirements, and sensitivity.
• Develops, writes, and submits commercial documents such as accurate estimates, proposals, and invoices to the client in compliance with existing company policies, procedures, service level agreements, and contracts.
• Negotiates with the client to gain written approval of estimates and contracts.
• Engages project developers, technical leads, and other internal resources to develop, estimate, and execute the scope of work for large-scale projects.
• Manages scope, resources, time, budget, change, and quality for a range of projects from small, one-time jobs to high-risk or complex projects.
• Identifies and mitigates risk.
• Communicates with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Maintains accurate and complete project records and ensures timely and accurate billing and payment of invoices in accordance with company policies.
• Provides project support to the team, including project administration, documentation, and coordination.
• Supports the project management and logistics team by attending and participating in team meetings, maintaining team calendars, and coordinating with all service lines.
• Remains up to date on industry best practices and standards.
• Performs other project duties as assigned.
Departmental / Service Line Specialization: Transportation
Within the Transportation Department, the Project Manager applies specialized expertise in domestic and international shipping and freight movement, serving as the project-level subject matter expert for the service line:
Shipping Planning & Execution
• Plans and executes freight movements for shipments and sub-projects within larger engagements, arranging pick-up and delivery of both inbound and outbound shipments.
• Produces timely and accurate estimates and proposals for a variety of projects directly related to the transportation of fine art, i.e. domestic, international, and local.
• Works with freight forwarders, shipping lines, and carriers to obtain competitive freight rates and prepares shipping documents in a timely manner.
• Tracks and communicates shipment status and schedules to clients, crews, vendors, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Coordinates shipment security, including following U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screened cargo custody procedures, interfacing with port police, and real-time tracking and monitoring of shipments and cargo movement.
• Manages the planning, coordination, and execution of Artech's West Coast Shuttle service, occasionally adjusting hours to support shuttle activities, and interfaces with GPS systems for real-time fleet tracking and deployment.
Regulatory & Documentation Expertise
• Develops and maintains expertise in international shipping, import and export processes, customs regulations, and shipping industry standards; serves as a subject matter resource on shipping and regulatory standards and compliance.
• Communicates with clients, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and importers to prepare shipping documents and assist with import preparation.
• Completes, collects, and follows up on Bills of Lading, Airway Bills, import/export documentation, chain of custody, legal, insurance, and regulatory documentation (DOT, CBP, TSA, etc.), and organizes, files, and retains job-related documentation in compliance with applicable regulations and company policies.
• Identifies, analyzes, and tracks risks and issues with shipments, proactively planning and taking action to avoid risks and resolve issues with clients, internal stakeholders, and vendors.
Vendor Relations
• Identifies, qualifies, and establishes strategic relationships with logistics vendors, including customs brokers, freight forwarders, air, ground, and ocean carriers, art logistics companies, and other third-party logistics providers; coordinates third-party scope delivery and ensures competitive pricing of logistics services.
• Establishes and communicates performance standards and expectations for logistics vendors; evaluates, tracks, and monitors vendor performance to meet Artech standards and continuously improve shipping processes.
• Develops strategic partnerships with vendors to improve service delivery, lower costs, and improve the efficiency of shipping operations.
• Coordinates vendor payments, purchase orders, and/or agreements in accordance with company policies.
Business Line Support
In support of departmental accountability and performance, the Transportation Project Manager partners with the Transportation Department Manager to advance the financial and operational health of the service line:
• Identifies, tracks, and reports key departmental KPIs, including estimate accuracy, schedule and on-time performance, throughput, shipping expense, and other transportation efficiency metrics, and collaborates with cross-functional team members to improve organizational processes, develop workflows, and improve service delivery.
• Works directly with the Transportation Department Manager on resource allocation and utilization, aligning project staffing, vendor capacity, and fleet deployment with departmental demand and priorities.
• Supports all efforts toward departmental profitability, including accurate estimating, cost control, competitive vendor pricing, and timely, complete billing and collections.
• Supports sustainable business practices in the planning and execution of transportation projects, contributing to efficient routing, consolidation, and resource use that reduce cost and environmental impact.
• In support of business development and service line growth and expansion, identifies new business and service-line opportunities, logs them, and submits them to the Director of Business Development for further exploration.
• Leverages and maintains pre-existing client relationships, reaching out to those clients as appropriate to surface opportunities and support business development efforts.[NV1]
• Models and reinforces Artech's culture and values, fostering a positive, collaborative, and accountable team environment across the service line.
• Partners closely with the technical teams and execution team leads to provide cohesive, well-coordinated project leadership and consistent on-the-ground delivery.
• Provides ongoing, hands-on support to operations, and mentors and develops crew members to strengthen cross-functional cohesion and capability.
• Occasionally assists the Transportation Department Manager with tasks related to sales and fleet management.
Required Skills and Abilities
• 2+ years of experience in Customer Service, Sales, or Project Management, or a combination of experience and education.
• 2+ years of experience in logistics, transportation, freight forwarding, import/export, or a related field.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of international shipping, customs regulations, and shipping industry standards strongly preferred.
• Experience in Art Services or Logistics field preferred.
• Bachelor's degree required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; intermediate to advanced Excel preferred.
• Demonstrated financial acumen and leadership skills.
• Highly adept at building client relationships in a self-directed, fast-paced environment where priorities change quickly.
• Strong collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to work independently and in cross-functional teams.
• Travel between 0-15%.
• Hours are generally Monday – Friday; some weekend or evening work may be required based on the needs of the business, including occasional early or late hours in support of the West Coast Shuttle. This position is not eligible for remote work.
How to Apply
If a key role in the fine art logistics and management industry interests you, please review the responsibilities and qualifications carefully. If you feel that you are the ideal candidate for this position, please email your resume and cover letter explaining your interest and experience to Recruiting@artechseattle.com. Learn more at http://www.artechfas.com/. Please, email only – no phone calls.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: $32.00 - $36.00 per hour
Benefits:
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental Insurance
Employee discount
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Schedule:
8 hour shift
Monday to Friday
Overtime
Ability to commute/relocate:
Tukwila, WA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person