Logistics Expert – Barge & Marine Transportation Systems

Company: Mesabi Metallics Company LLC
Location: Southeast Iowa, USA
Industry: Integrated Steel Manufacturing | Industrial Infrastructure | Marine Logistics
Employment Type: Full-Time

About Mesabi Metallics

At Mesabi Metallics, we are helping shape the next generation of American steel manufacturing through large-scale industrial development, advanced technology, and a commitment to operational excellence and sustainability.

We are advancing an ambitious greenfield Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and Integrated Steel Plant (ISP) project in Southeast Iowa, designed to strengthen domestic steel production capabilities and support the evolution of more efficient, lower-carbon steelmaking.

This is more than a conventional industrial project. It is an opportunity to contribute to the development of a major integrated steel manufacturing complex in the United States, where innovative engineering, modern infrastructure, and world-class logistics will come together.

As we build our project team, we are looking for accomplished professionals who bring technical expertise, entrepreneurial thinking, and a passion for delivering complex industrial projects.

If you are excited by the opportunity to build critical infrastructure from the ground up and leave a lasting impact on American manufacturing, we would like to hear from you.

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Logistics Expert – Barge & Marine Transportation Systems to play a key role in planning, developing, and operationalizing the marine transportation infrastructure for our proposed integrated steel manufacturing complex in Southeast Iowa.

Located in a region with access to the Mississippi River inland waterway network, the project offers an exciting opportunity to develop efficient and reliable barge logistics solutions supporting the movement of bulk raw materials, industrial commodities, and finished steel products.

Reporting to the Logistics Manager, you will serve as the company's subject matter expert for barge transportation systems, marine terminals, river logistics, and associated infrastructure.

You will work across the complete project lifecycle—from feasibility studies, engineering, and regulatory approvals through construction, commissioning, and operational readiness.

This position offers a unique opportunity to influence critical logistics decisions at the earliest stages of a major industrial development and help establish a competitive, long-term transportation network.

What You Will Do

Marine Infrastructure Development & Engineering

• Lead the technical evaluation and development of barge transportation infrastructure, including river terminals, docks, berthing facilities, loading/unloading systems, and associated material handling equipment.

• Collaborate with engineering and EPC partners to establish design criteria, technical specifications, operational requirements, and infrastructure capacity.

• Evaluate marine terminal layouts, navigational constraints, vessel compatibility, river conditions, and cargo handling requirements.

• Review engineering proposals and recommend practical, cost-effective, and scalable marine logistics solutions.

Barge Logistics Strategy & Operations

• Develop comprehensive barge transportation strategies for inbound raw materials and outbound finished steel products.

• Assess barge fleet requirements, transportation capacity, cargo volumes, scheduling, turnaround times, and seasonal navigational constraints.

• Evaluate transportation routes, terminal connectivity, cargo handling methods, and multimodal integration with rail and road infrastructure.

• Identify opportunities to optimize freight costs, improve logistics reliability, and enhance supply chain efficiency.

• Support the development of operating models, service agreements, and performance standards for barge transportation providers.

Regulatory Approvals & Stakeholder Coordination

• Provide technical support for marine infrastructure permitting and regulatory approvals, including coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, environmental agencies, and other relevant authorities.

• Work closely with environmental consultants, engineering teams, and regulatory specialists to address navigational, environmental, and operational requirements.

• Coordinate with port authorities, terminal operators, inland waterway stakeholders, and marine service providers.

• Ensure applicable safety, environmental, and maritime regulatory requirements are incorporated into project planning and execution.

Project Execution & Operational Readiness

• Support contractor selection, technical evaluations, construction planning, and execution of marine infrastructure.

• Participate in construction reviews, equipment inspections, commissioning activities, and operational readiness assessments.

• Develop marine logistics operating procedures, emergency response arrangements, and risk mitigation strategies.

• Establish operational performance indicators covering transportation cost, terminal productivity, barge turnaround, safety, and service reliability.

• Work closely with plant operations, procurement, engineering, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless integration of barge logistics with overall plant operations.

What You Bring

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Maritime Studies, Logistics, Transportation, Supply Chain Management, or a related discipline preferred.

• Minimum 8 years of relevant experience in inland waterway transportation, barge logistics, marine terminal operations, port infrastructure, or industrial bulk cargo transportation.

• Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, or operating barge transportation systems and associated terminal infrastructure.

• Strong working knowledge of U.S. inland waterway transportation, particularly the Mississippi River system and its commercial navigation network.

• Experience supporting major industrial, steel, mining, energy, bulk commodities, or infrastructure projects is highly desirable.

Technical & Professional Capabilities

• Strong understanding of marine terminal design, barge loading/unloading operations, cargo handling systems, and transportation planning.

• Familiarity with relevant U.S. maritime regulations, permitting processes, navigational requirements, and environmental compliance.

• Experience coordinating with engineering consultants, EPC contractors, government agencies, and transportation service providers.

• Commercial understanding of barge freight economics, transportation contracts, operating costs, and logistics optimization.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and project coordination skills.

• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and deliver results in a dynamic greenfield project environment.

What Will Set You Apart

• Direct experience with Mississippi River barge operations and inland marine terminal development.

• Previous involvement in establishing barge logistics infrastructure for a greenfield manufacturing or industrial facility.

• Experience handling iron ore, DRI/HBI, coal, limestone, steel products, or other industrial bulk commodities.

• Proven ability to take logistics infrastructure from initial concept through engineering, construction, and successful operational startup.

• Established professional relationships within the U.S. inland marine transportation industry.

Why Join Mesabi Metallics?

Be Part of a Landmark Industrial Development

Contribute to the creation of a major integrated steel manufacturing complex that aims to strengthen American industrial capabilities and domestic supply chains.

Build Something from the Ground Up

Take ownership of critical marine logistics solutions during the project's formative stages, with the opportunity to influence infrastructure design and long-term operating strategies.

Work on Complex, High-Impact Challenges

Collaborate with experienced professionals across engineering, construction, steel manufacturing, and logistics to deliver innovative solutions for a large-scale industrial project.

Make a Lasting Professional Impact

Help establish transportation systems that will support the competitiveness, efficiency, and reliability of the facility for years to come.

Grow with an Ambitious Organization

Join a team that values technical excellence, accountability, collaboration, innovation, and professional growth.

Work Location & Requirements

This is a Southeast Iowa–based position supporting the development of the company's greenfield integrated steel project.

The successful candidate should be comfortable working in a project-driven environment, with regular interaction across engineering offices, construction sites, river terminals, and marine transportation facilities.

Travel to ports, terminals, contractor locations, and other project-related facilities will be required.

The role may involve working in industrial and outdoor environments, subject to applicable site safety requirements.

Join Us in Building the Next Generation of American Steel

At Mesabi Metallics, we believe that exceptional industrial projects are built by exceptional people.

If you have deep expertise in barge transportation, marine logistics, or inland waterway infrastructure—and want to play a meaningful role in developing a major U.S. steel manufacturing project—we encourage you to apply.

Bring your expertise. Shape the infrastructure. Help build the future of American steel.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mesabi Metallics Company LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

We value diverse perspectives, professional integrity, teamwork, and an inclusive workplace where individuals are respected and empowered to contribute to our collective success.