Shipping Associate
AerotekJob Title: Shipping AssociateJob Description
The Shipping Associate coordinates internal and external shipping arrangements for international orders while ensuring strict compliance with U.S. and foreign government regulations. This role prepares and manages customs documentation, collaborates with freight forwarders and carriers, and oversees the end-to-end supply chain from order entry through
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delivery. The position focuses on timely, cost-effective shipments, accurate documentation, and proactive resolution of transit delays and global trade issues.
Responsibilities
• Pick, pack, and ship international customer orders in accordance with internal procedures and global trade requirements.
• Prepare and verify commercial invoices, certificates of origin, and customs declarations to prevent border delays and unexpected duties.
• Book and track international shipments via air, sea, and land freight, coordinating directly with freight forwarders and carriers to ensure on-time delivery.
• Oversee the complete order lifecycle, from order entry through shipment notifications, across multiple currencies and time zones.
• Manage customer-requested shipping and tracking information and provide timely updates to internal teams and external customers.
• Ensure all U.S. and foreign customs export and import requirements are met, including compliance with United States Export Administration Regulations.
• Determine Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCN) for products and apply appropriate export controls.
• Review and follow customer shipping instructions carefully to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Prepare all export documentation required for overseas orders by U.S. and foreign freight companies.
• Create and modify customer invoices daily using Adobe Acrobat or Kofax software, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Identify and resolve issues with carriers related to delays, documentation, or shipping instructions.
• Escalate complex or unresolved shipping and logistics issues to the warehouse supervisor when necessary.
• Apply knowledge of Incoterms, Harmonized System (HS) codes, and export/import regulations in daily shipping operations.
• Use shipping systems such as FedEx Ship Manager and UPS WorldShip to generate labels, documentation, and tracking information.
• Maintain accurate inventory and shipping records to support efficient shipping and receiving operations.
• Operate material handling equipment, such as forklifts, as needed to support shipping and receiving activities.
• Communicate clearly with cross-functional teams, overseas vendors, and international clients to coordinate shipments and resolve issues.
• Troubleshoot shipping delays, port holds, and supply chain disruptions and implement corrective actions to keep orders on schedule.
Essential Skills
• Experience in shipping, receiving, and inventory handling, preferably in an international logistics or distribution environment.
• Hands-on experience with shipping and receiving processes, including picking, packing, and preparing orders for dispatch.
• Ability to operate forklifts or similar material handling equipment safely, if required by the role.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills for effective interaction with freight companies and internal operations personnel.
• Ability to communicate clearly via email and other channels with customers, freight companies, and internal stakeholders, including individuals who use English as a second language.
• Sound judgment and strong analytical skills for interpreting regulations, resolving shipping issues, and making informed decisions.
• Ability to read and understand legal terms and conditions related to shipping, logistics, and trade compliance.
• Proven ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-pressure, and changing environment with minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Knowledge of Windows operating systems and proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Proficiency with enterprise or ware