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Shipping and Receiving Lead

Kratos Defense
Auburn, MI Full Time
POSTED ON 12/11/2025 CLOSED ON 3/2/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Shipping and Receiving Lead position at Kratos Defense?

Job Description:


GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The Shipping & Receiving Administration Lead is responsible for coordinating, executing, and overseeing all inbound and outbound material activities to ensure accuracy, traceability, compliance, and on-time movement of materials within Technical Directions Inc. (TDI). This role manages receiving documentation, ERP/MRP transactions, shipping documentation, and material flow to support production schedules, supply chain requirements, and customer delivery commitments. The Lead works closely with Supply Chain, Quality, Production, Planning, and Program Management to maintain an accurate digital and physical chain of custody for all material entering or leaving the facility. This position ensures adherence to AS9100D, ITAR/EAR, DFARS, and TDI-specific procedures while maintaining a safe, organized, and audit-ready shipping/receiving environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

  • Leads and performs daily shipping and receiving activities, including unloading, inspecting, documenting, routing, packaging, and preparing materials for internal use or external shipment.
  • Executes ERP/MRP receiving transactions (Costpoint preferred) to ensure real-time material accuracy, traceability, and system integrity.
  • Verifies incoming material against purchase orders, certifications, packing lists, test reports, and quality requirements; escalates discrepancies to Supply Chain or Quality.
  • Coordinates with Quality Inspection and MRB to route incoming materials requiring inspection, NCR processing, or engineering review.
  • Maintains and updates material status in ERP/MRP to support accurate planning, kitting, and production scheduling.
  • Prepares all outbound shipping documentation, including packing lists, labels, BOLs, commercial invoices, CoCs, hazardous declarations, and export control documentation.
  • Ensures all shipments comply with ITAR/EAR and customer-specific packaging, labeling, and documentation requirements.
  • Schedules carriers, couriers, and logistics providers for domestic and international shipments.
  • Maintains an organized, safe, and audit-ready receiving/shipping area, including adherence to 6S standards.
  • Leads daily material flow coordination with Production, Planning, and Supply Chain to resolve shortages, expedite materials, and support build schedules.
  • Supports cycle counts and physical inventory by ensuring receiving accuracy, proper labeling, and clean inventory transactions.
  • Maintains receiving logs, discrepancy reports, proof-of-delivery records, and chain-of-custody documents.
  • Identifies and drives continuous improvement opportunities related to material flow, receiving accuracy, shipping efficiency, and inventory integrity.
  • Provides training, task guidance, and day-to-day workflow leadership for other shipping/receiving personnel as assigned.
  • Complies with TDI's Quality Management System (AS9100D) and all supply chain procedures.
  • Other duties may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

  • No direct reports; must influence cross-functional teams through transparency, data accuracy, and consistent communication.

Experience and Skills:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

Required

  • Working knowledge of shipping, receiving, inventory control, and material handling in a manufacturing environment.
  • Proficiency with ERP/MRP systems (Costpoint preferred) for receiving, inventory, and shipping transactions.
  • Ability to interpret purchase orders, certifications, packing lists, and shipping documentation.
  • Knowledge of domestic and international shipping regulations, including carrier requirements and export documentation.
  • Ability to work with Quality, Engineering, and Planning to resolve receiving discrepancies, NCRs, and documentation issues.
  • Strong organization, accuracy, and attention to detail with excellent recordkeeping skills.
  • Ability to operate pallet jacks, forklifts, and material handling equipment (certification preferred).
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for internal and external coordination.
  • Ability to maintain confidential and export-controlled information in accordance with ITAR/EAR and DoD requirements.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced aerospace/defense environment.

Preferred

  • Experience in aerospace, defense, or regulated technical manufacturing environments.
  • Understanding of AS9100D, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and material traceability requirements.
  • Experience with international shipments (freight forwarders, export classification, ECCN/ITAR screening).
  • Experience supporting inventory audits and cycle counts.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Required

  • High school diploma or GED.
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience in shipping, receiving, inventory control, or warehouse administration.
  • Experience in ERP/MRP systems (Costpoint, SAP, Oracle, Epicor, etc.).
  • U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance may be required.

Preferred

  • Associate degree in Business, Supply Chain, Logistics, or related field.
  • Prior experience in an aerospace, defense, or high-compliance manufacturing environment.
  • Forklift certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Warehouse, office, and production floor environment with regular interaction across Supply Chain, Quality, Production, and Planning teams.
  • May work extended hours or weekends to support urgent shipments, month-end activities, or customer delivery deadlines.
  • Exposure to manufacturing conditions including variable temperature, noise, dust, chemicals, and material handling equipment.
  • Ability to perform repetitive motion including computer use and physical material handling.
  • Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and carry materials for extended periods.
  • Must be able to lift, move, or transport items up to 50 lbs in accordance with TDI General Safety Training guidelines.
  • Occasional domestic/international travel may be required to support logistics activities, supplier visits, or customer shipments.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

  • 0-25% May be required between other Kratos locations

#LI-Onsite
Job Benefits:

  • Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
  • Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
  • 401(k) Savings Plan
  • Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
  • Paid Time-Off (PTO)
  • Holidays
  • Education Reimbursement


Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disability Accessibility Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply to our careers site, please send your request to HRAccessibility@kratosdefense.com or call 858-964-2916. Any inquires not related to requesting an accommodation will be discarded.

Pay Transparency
The company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Job Applicant Privacy Notice
For applicants in the EU and California residents, please review our privacy notice.



From: Kratos Defense

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