Summary of Position

• Provide operational and analytical support for all aspects of the Import Group.
• Works closely with the Import Management Team and personnel from other departments to facilitate supply chain processes.
• Improve department performance through analysis involving freight expense, carrier performance, procedural evaluations, and other new initiatives.
• Responsible for day-to-day operational execution, follow-up, and customer service within the Import department.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee ocean carrier and supplier management invoicing processes for assigned vendors.
• Visibility reporting, freight invoice validation, claims, load planning, order/booking management, analysis, and implementing value-added import logistics initiatives.
• Interface with freight forwarders, NVOCC and direct ocean carriers to ensure their service and performance levels are meeting service requirements.
• Interpret data and analyze trends regarding freight availability, carrier reliability, shipping costs.
• Confer with Import team to determine ways to optimize service levels, maintain supply-chain efficiency and minimize costs.
• Recommend improvements to existing processes and procedures.

Specific Tasks

• Audit and process weekly invoicing from ocean carriers and supplier management vendors.
• Maintain a clean statement account for external vendors. 
• Coordinate the daily flow of import goods from foreign origins to distribution centers. 
• Control transportation expenses through ensuring proper handling and routing of goods. 
• Track seasonal and promotional merchandise as needed. Provide updates to buyers and ensure origin teams prioritize loading and shipping of these goods.
• Analyze assigned performance related KPIs to ensure service expectations are met.
• Meet with stakeholders to address poor performance and implement steps to drive improved efficiencies.
• Complete other analysis, reporting, projects, and duties as assigned by the Import management team.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or equivalent work experience (at least 4 years of Ocean Transportation work experience for non-bachelor’s degree holders)
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, within the department and outside of the department.
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task and to meet project deadlines.
• Ability to use MS Excel as a working tool and to analyze data.

This is not to be considered a complete list of job duties, as they may be amended or added to as needed.