Ocean Import Specialist

About the role

The Ocean Import Specialist manages ocean import shipments, ensuring high-quality service that meets or exceeds customer expectations. This role involves providing effective solutions, adhering to company policies, and ensuring full compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and industry best practices.

Responsibilities

• Receive and track customer bookings and orders, sending shipping instructions overseas per customer specifications or established SOPs.
• Notify customers of shipment arrivals, applicable charges, and any delays, including Customs or Exam holds.
• Prepare and process Customs entries, classify invoices, file RLF entries, handle FDA-
• Ensure documentation accuracy, including Customs classification, I.T. numbers, and commercial invoice details.
• Transmit information to ABI, verify results, and make corrections as necessary.
• Maintain organized and complete files with all required documents in the proper sequence.
• Care for entry and break-bulk shipments and monitor shipments moving under I.T., ensuring release and payment instructions are provided within the allotted free time.
• Address customer requests and exceptions, ensuring responses align with company standards and guidelines.
• Provide job costing forecasts, manage payables/receivables accurately, and invoice customers per payment terms. Dispute incorrect vendor payables as necessary.
• Arrange delivery and maintain communication with truckers until completion, including confirmation of delivery and POD updates.
• Maintain accurate shipment status in tracking and proprietary applications.
• Aid with quotes by providing rates and tariffs as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Ocean imports or combination of education and expertise required.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office suite.
• Detail oriented, able to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated, able to work in a team and independently.
• Knowledge of US customs laws, practices and procedures.
• Able to perform the essential duties of this position without posing a “direct threat” to the health or safety of self or others.
• Able to interact positively and effectively with co-workers, subordinates and supervisors.

Education and Experience

• A High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in Ocean imports or combination of education and expertise required.
• Cargowise (C1) experience is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge regarding import entry procedures, compliance, rules and regulations preferred.
• Knowledge of First Port of Arrival (FPOA) entry processes is preferred.
• FDA experience preferred.
• Knowledge of Importer Security Filing (ISF) preferred.
• Good working knowledge of OGA transactions preferred.

Environment

100% performed in climate-controlled internal office environment working under normal office conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to feel and handle, reach with arms and hands, talk and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stop, kneel and crouch, lift weight or exert a force up to a maximum of 25 pounds. This position requires employee to frequently work in a fluid, fast paced environment.