Ocean Import Operations Manager -- U.S. Desk & Key Accounts
BeeontradeOcean Import Operations Manager — U.S. Desk & Key Accounts
Location: New York / New Jersey Metropolitan Area — On-site
Employment: Full-time
Reports to: VP, Beeontrade USA
Department: U.S. Freight Forwarding Operations
The Opportunity
Beeontrade is looking for an experienced, hands-on Ocean Import Operations Manager to help build and lead our U.S. freight forwarding operations.
We are enter
...
ing a new stage of growth. Over the past five years, we have established our NVOCC capabilities, international agent network, carrier relationships, CargoWise infrastructure, overseas support teams and customer portfolio. We are now strengthening our U.S. leadership and building a disciplined local operating team.
This is not a role for someone who only delegates, monitors emails or manages reports.
We need someone who knows how to operate shipments, manage customers, solve problems, protect margins and lead people.
You will work directly with our U.S. Vice President to take ownership of daily Ocean Import operations, manage strategic customer accounts, establish operating standards, and recruit and develop a local team as the business grows.
Initially, you will be hands-on with customers, shipment execution and exceptions. As the operation develops, your responsibility will expand into managing and coaching import operations professionals who can grow into commercially responsible account managers.
Your mission is to build an Ocean Import desk that customers trust, employees can execute consistently, and management can scale with confidence.
What You'll Own
1. Ocean Import Operations & Delivery Control
Take responsibility for the execution and performance of U.S. Ocean Import shipments, including FCL, LCL, BCO accounts and overseas forwarding agents.
• Oversee shipments from pre-alert, documentation and arrival planning through customs release, final delivery, empty return and financial closeout.
• Coordinate with ocean carriers, terminals, customs brokers, CFS facilities, truckers, warehouses and overseas agents.
• Monitor vessel schedules, availability, last free days, customs holds, exams, delivery appointments and empty-return deadlines.
• Ensure ISF/AMS responsibilities and required filing confirmations are properly assigned, verified and documented.
• Take ownership of critical shipment exceptions, including demurrage, detention, storage, missed appointments, cargo damage and unexpected vendor charges.
• Maintain proactive customer communication and ensure problems are resolved rather than simply escalated.
• Establish clear operational controls to prevent recurring mistakes and avoidable financial losses.
2. Key Account Management & Commercial Accountability
Our operations team must understand both how shipments move and how they make money.
• Manage assigned U.S. importer, BCO and forwarding customer relationships.
• Understand each customer's shipment patterns, service requirements, trade lanes and commercial agreements.
• Coordinate quotations and pricing for existing accounts with the company's pricing and procurement teams.
• Review expected versus actual gross profit, supplier charges, accessorial exposure and job costing.
• Protect margins through proper cost approval, charge recovery and vendor negotiation.
• Ensure shipments are commercially ready for accurate and timely billing.
• Identify opportunities to expand customer relationships through drayage, inland transportation, warehousing, distribution and other forwarding services.
• Support the U.S. leadership team with operational input for strategic customers, complex freight movements and new business onboarding.
This is not a pure sales position. Your commercial responsibility is to retain customers, protect profitability and grow the value of the accounts under your management.
3. Build, Lead & Develop the U.S. Operations Team
One of your most important responsibilities will be developing the people and operating structure that support our future growth.
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