What are the responsibilities and job description for the Ocean Transportation Specialist position at HireTalent - Staffing & Recruiting Firm?
Overview
Our client is seeking an experienced Transportation Control Tower Analyst – Ocean to support global ocean freight operations across import and export flows. This role serves as a central coordination point within the logistics network, providing end‑to‑end shipment visibility, managing exceptions, monitoring carrier performance, and resolving issues across ports, terminals, and inland transportation.
This is a 12‑month contract role with onsite training for the first month, followed by a hybrid work schedule. Ocean freight experience is required.
Responsibilities
Ocean Freight Operations
- Monitor and manage international ocean shipments (FCL and LCL) from origin port through final inland delivery
- Track vessel schedules, port congestion, ETA changes, rollovers, and capacity constraints
- Manage shipment exceptions including missed sailings, port delays, demurrage, detention, and customs holds
- Coordinate pre‑carriage and on‑carriage movements, including drayage and intermodal handoffs
Carrier, Forwarder & Port Coordination
- Serve as the primary liaison with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, freight forwarders, port terminals, and drayage providers
- Monitor carrier performance against KPIs such as on‑time arrival, transit reliability, and exception frequency
- Support carrier allocation and service lane strategies in collaboration with procurement and network teams
Exception Management & Case Resolution
- Manage shipment issues within a control tower case management framework
- Conduct root‑cause analysis and recommend corrective actions
- Communicate impacts, risks, and recovery plans to internal stakeholders
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Analyze ocean transportation data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities
- Develop dashboards and KPI reporting using BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau
- Deliver actionable insights to leadership
Cost Optimization
- Identify opportunities to reduce ocean freight and accessorial costs
- Support rate analysis and carrier performance reviews
- Monitor, validate, and dispute demurrage and detention charges
Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure compliance with international trade and customs regulations
- Validate Bills of Lading and shipping documentation accuracy
- Support customs clearance issue resolution
Process Improvement
- Drive improvements to enhance shipment visibility, predictability, and performance
- Support system enhancements, carrier onboarding, and workflow standardization initiatives
Required Qualifications
- Mandatory: Proven experience in Ocean Freight operations
- Strong analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills
- Experience working with TMS, control tower platforms, and BI tools
- Ability to manage high volumes of shipments and resolve complex logistics issues
- Experience collaborating with carriers, forwarders, and internal stakeholders
Preferred Qualifications
- Global control tower experience
- Knowledge of demurrage and detention management
- APICS or CSCMP certification
- Advanced Power BI or Tableau skills