Senior Ocean Import & Export Operations Specialist

Location: Los Angeles, CA or Houston, TX

Employment Type: Full-Time | On-site

Compensation: $30–$35 per hour

We are seeking an experienced Senior Ocean Import & Export Operations Specialist to support daily ocean freight operations, customer service, pricing, and account coordination in the U.S.

This role is ideal for a hands-on freight forwarding professional who can independently manage shipment workflows, coordinate with service providers, prepare customer quotations, resolve operational issues, and maintain strong customer relationships.

Candidates with solid U.S. freight forwarding experience and a practical understanding of both import and export operations are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

Ocean Import & Export Operations

• Coordinate ocean freight shipments with carriers, customs brokers, trucking companies, warehouses, and overseas agents.
• Manage import shipment milestones, including documentation review, customs clearance coordination, cargo release, container pickup, delivery, and empty container return.
• Support export shipments, including booking coordination, container arrangements, documentation, shipping instructions, VGM, AES/ITN filings where applicable, and bill of lading review.
• Monitor shipment status and proactively communicate updates to customers and internal teams.

Pricing & Cost Analysis

• Obtain and compare rates from carriers and service providers based on shipping routes, container types, cargo requirements, transit time, and service scope.
• Prepare customer quotations by reviewing applicable ocean freight, local charges, drayage, chassis, storage, and other service-related costs.
• Clearly communicate quotation terms, validity periods, free time, and potential additional charges.
• Maintain pricing accuracy while supporting service quality and business profitability.

Exception Management

• Monitor shipment deadlines, including last free day (LFD), demurrage, detention, and other time-sensitive charges.
• Coordinate solutions for shipment delays, customs or cargo release issues, trucking appointments, and billing disputes.
• Identify potential cost exposure, recommend practical solutions, and escalate issues when necessary.

Customer Service & Account Coordination

• Maintain regular communication with existing customers to understand shipment volumes, routing needs, service expectations, and business opportunities.
• Follow up on quotations, service feedback, and shipment performance.
• Work with internal sales and operations teams to support repeat business and identify opportunities to expand existing accounts.

Documentation & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Maintain accurate shipment records and update internal operating systems.
• Review vendor invoices and customer billing for accuracy and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with finance and internal teams on reconciliation, billing follow-up, and shipment handoffs.
• Ensure clear communication of shipment status, next steps, ownership, and deadlines across teams in different time zones.

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in U.S.-based freight forwarding, NVOCC, or ocean freight operations.
• Hands-on experience with both ocean import and export operations, with the ability to independently manage the full shipment process in at least one area.
• Practical experience obtaining freight rates, preparing customer quotations, and reviewing shipment-related costs.
• Experience communicating directly with customers and resolving operational issues.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Mandarin Chinese proficiency is preferred for supporting Chinese-speaking customers and coordinating with Chinese-speaking teams.
• Ability to work full-time on-site in Los Angeles, CA or Houston, TX.
• Compensation expectations aligned with the stated hourly range.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience independently handling both ocean import and export shipments.
• Familiarity with U.S. ports, FCL/LCL shipments, and door-to-door freight services.
• Experience coordinating with overseas agents and international teams.
• Experience with vendor rate negotiations, customer account development, or operational process improvement.

Interested?

If you have hands-on ocean freight experience and enjoy managing shipments, solving operational challenges, and working directly with customers, we would love to hear from you.

Please apply through LinkedIn or send your resume directly to discuss the opportunity.