Senior Ocean Import & Export Specialist

Senior Ocean Import & Export Specialist Location: Los Angeles, CA or Houston, TX Employment Type: Full-time, on-site About the Role This role supports ocean freight operations, shipment pricing, and customer account management. You will coordinate with overseas teams and U.S. service providers to manage shipments, prepare quotations, resolve operational issues, and support ongoing customer relationships. Key Responsibilities • Coordinate ocean import and export shipments with carriers, overseas agents, customs brokers, trucking providers, and warehouses. • Manage shipment documentation and milestones, including bookings, customs clearance coordination, cargo release, pickup, delivery, and empty container returns. • Coordinate applicable import and export filing requirements with the responsible service providers. • Obtain supplier rates, compare service options, calculate shipment costs and gross profit, and prepare customer quotations within company guidelines. • Monitor shipment deadlines, free time, and potential additional charges. Resolve operational issues and escalate matters when appropriate. • Maintain regular communication with customers, follow up on quotations, and identify opportunities for repeat shipments and additional services. • Review vendor invoices, maintain shipment records, and support the finance team with billing reconciliation and payment follow-up. • Provide clear updates and handoffs to colleagues across U.S. and overseas offices. Qualifications • Typically 3+ years of ocean freight operations experience with a U.S.-based freight forwarder or NVOCC. Demonstrated ability to manage shipments independently is the primary consideration. • Hands-on experience with both ocean imports and exports, including independent end-to-end shipment management in at least one direction. • Knowledge of U.S. ocean freight procedures, shipment documentation, and service-provider coordination. • Experience obtaining freight rates, calculating shipment costs, and preparing customer quotations. • Experience maintaining customer relationships and supporting repeat business. • Effective written and spoken English for customer communication and shipment coordination. • Ability to collaborate with Mandarin-speaking colleagues. Working proficiency in Mandarin is required for assignments involving direct support of Mandarin-speaking customers. • Strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills. • Proficiency with Excel, Outlook, freight forwarding systems, and shipment tracking tools. • Availability for full-time, on-site work at the assigned Los Angeles or Houston office. Preferred Qualifications • Independent end-to-end experience in both ocean imports and exports. • Experience coordinating shipments and handoffs across U.S. and China time zones. • Familiarity with Southeast Asia trade lanes, multiple U.S. ports, or door-to-door logistics services. • Experience improving shipment processes, negotiating supplier rates, or expanding existing customer accounts. Working Arrangements The role is based on-site in Los Angeles or Houston. The specific office address, regular working hours, cross-time-zone coordination arrangements, and any urgent shipment support expectations will be discussed during the interview process.

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