Projects Specialist

Savino Del Bene is a Global Freight Forwarding Company headquartered in Florence, Italy. With a network of more than 295 offices and over 5,500 employees across five continents, Savino Del Bene is one of the leading logistics company that offers import, export, customs brokerage services and warehousing third party solutions servicing several Vertical Markets.

We are currently looking for an Projects Specialist to join our team. We are looking for a motivated and passionate candidate to become part of our high paced, professional Ocean Import team

The Projects Specialist is responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing complex international air and ocean freight shipments from origin through final delivery. This role serves as the primary point of contact for customers, overseas offices, carriers, and vendors, ensuring shipments are executed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with all company procedures and international trade regulations.

The ideal candidate has extensive experience handling project cargo, including oversized, out-of-gauge (OOG), breakbulk, heavy haul, and charter shipments. This position requires strong project management skills, the ability to work under demanding timelines, and a proactive approach to solving complex logistics challenges. The Projects Specialist will work closely with Sales, Pricing, Customs Brokerage, Warehousing, and Operations teams to deliver exceptional customer service while maintaining profitability.

Essential Job Function

• Manage international air and ocean import and export shipments from booking through final delivery.
• Plan and execute complex project cargo movements, including oversized, out-of-gauge (OOG), breakbulk, heavy haul, and charter shipments.
• Coordinate shipments with overseas offices, agents, ocean carriers, airlines, trucking companies, and customers to ensure timely execution.
• Develop comprehensive logistics plans, including transportation routing, cargo sequencing, lifting requirements, port operations, and delivery schedules.
• Coordinate vessel charter operations and work closely with charter brokers, vessel operators, port authorities, terminal operators, stevedores, heavy-haul carriers, crane operators, and specialized service providers.
• Monitor shipment milestones and provide proactive updates to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Prepare, review, and coordinate shipping documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, air waybills, certificates of origin, and other required import/export documentation.
• Coordinate customs clearance activities with the Customs Brokerage Department when required.
• Work with the Pricing Department to obtain competitive transportation rates and prepare customer quotations.
• Verify vendor invoices, monitor operational costs, and ensure accurate customer billing while maintaining shipment profitability.
• Maintain accurate shipment records within the company's transportation management system.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, overseas offices, carriers, vendors, and strategic partners.
• Support customer implementations by developing and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for new business.
• Participate in customer meetings, project planning sessions, operational reviews, and business development initiatives.
• Oversee cargo loading, unloading, securing, and handling activities at ports, terminals, warehouses, customer facilities, and job sites to ensure safe and efficient execution.
• Travel to ports, terminals, shipper facilities, customer job sites, and loading locations as required to supervise critical operations and provide on-site operational support.
• Coordinate with engineering teams, surveyors, marine warranty surveyors, and specialized contractors during project execution.
• Develop contingency plans and implement corrective actions to minimize operational disruptions and meet customer deadlines.
• Demonstrate strong problem-solving skills by thinking outside the box and developing innovative logistics solutions for complex transportation challenges.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a high level of customer service, operational excellence, and profitability.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

**Must be able to work on site, this is not a remote role

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business Administration, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in international freight forwarding, project logistics, or heavy-lift transportation.
• Demonstrated experience managing oversized, out-of-gauge (OOG), breakbulk, heavy haul, and charter shipments.
• Strong knowledge of international air and ocean import and export operations.
• Thorough understanding of port operations, terminal procedures, vessel loading and discharge operations, cargo securing, and specialized cargo handling techniques for oversized and project cargo.
• Working knowledge of vessel charter party agreements and chartering terminology, including voyage and time charter concepts.
• Experience coordinating with steamship lines, charter brokers, port authorities, terminal operators, stevedores, heavy-haul carriers, crane operators, and specialized vendors.
• Experience overseeing cargo operations at ports, terminals, customer facilities, and loading locations.
• Ability to travel to project sites and oversee cargo operations to ensure safe, compliant, and successful execution.
• Experience developing detailed project logistics plans and successfully managing projects under tight deadlines and changing priorities.
• Strong understanding of Incoterms, customs regulations, international shipping documentation, and freight forwarding processes.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and project management skills.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and customer service skills.
• Ability to analyze complex logistics challenges, think outside the box, and implement practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and freight forwarding software such as CargoWise or similar transportation management systems.

Core Competencies

• International Freight Forwarding
• Air Freight Operations
• Ocean Freight Operations
• Project Cargo Logistics
• Oversized & Out-of-Gauge (OOG) Transportation
• Breakbulk Operations
• Heavy Haul Transportation
• Vessel Charter Operations
• Charter Party Knowledge
• Port & Terminal Operations
• Marine Logistics
• Heavy Lift Coordination
• Project Planning & Execution
• Critical Path Management
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation
• Import & Export Documentation
• Customer Relationship Management
• Logistics Planning
• Cost Control
• Operational Leadership
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
• Decision Making Under Pressure
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail

Offer

• Salary based on experience
• Great medical, dental and vision plans
• 401K with Company match
• Vacation, Sick and PTO time
• Great Company culture, fun environment