expediters

An expeditor (plural expediters) is a professional who monitors and coordinates the progress of goods, information, and services through a supply chain, production process, or project workflow to prevent delays and ensure timely delivery. Expediters are commonly employed in manufacturing, construction, logistics, healthcare procurement, publishing, and aerospace; they may work as part of purchasing, operations, or project management teams. The role shares overlap with procurement specialists and logistics coordinators, but emphasizes proactive follow-up and problem-solving to accelerate stalled activities.

Core duties include tracking orders and shipments, communicating with suppliers and vendors, expediting critical materials, updating production schedules, and adjusting plans to align with delivery deadlines. They identify bottlenecks, prioritize tasks, arrange alternative suppliers or routes when necessary, and document deviations or changes in systems such as ERP/MRP. Expediters report progress to internal stakeholders and often negotiate delivery terms or expedite charges with vendors. In complex projects, they may coordinate cross-functional teams to resolve scheduling conflicts and ensure material availability for line starts or milestones.

Typical qualifications include a background in supply chain, logistics, or manufacturing; many expediters hold associate or bachelor’s degrees and relevant certifications such as APICS CPIM or CSCP, or CIPS certifications. Skills valued in the role include attention to detail, communication, problem-solving, negotiation, organization, and proficiency with enterprise software and spreadsheets. The role has evolved with digital tracking, RFID, and real-time analytics, but its core purpose remains ensuring timely material flow and project progress.