Ocean Operations Agent II

About the role

AIT Worldwide Logistics is seeking an Ocean Operations Agent II to coordinate the day-to-day ocean import and export of international freight forwarding shipments out of the USA based on customer requests.

Responsibilities

• Work with customers to qualify their shipping requirements and obtain all necessary details (regulations, certificates, documentation) for shipment quotation and operation.
• Prepare accurate and profitable quotations.
• Complete shipment process in Cargowise, including data entry, pickup/delivery scheduling, AES entry, bookings, routing, and operational milestone updates.
• Coordinate the day-to-day ocean import and export of products, including reviewing orders and documents.
• Track and communicate all delays, damages, or problems, and resolve customer issues.
• Manage all aspects of ocean import and export international operations, including customer service, data entry, operations, and billing.
• Track shipments to ensure they are moving as scheduled and update the system immediately upon verification.
• Identify and rectify deviations from shipment schedules.
• Coordinate recovery/delivery schedules with cartage agents and international partners.
• Partner with local sales teams to communicate problems to customers, international partners, and other stations as needed.
• Ensure adherence to all customers’ SOP instructions and AIT KPIs and guidelines.
• Ensure all shipments are properly billed within company guidelines and timelines.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned based on business demands.

Qualifications

• A team player who works well with others, respecting teammates as a core value.
• A strong work ethic with an appreciation for ownership, independence, accountability, and autonomy.
• Growth mindset: passionate about your craft, always seeking improvement for yourself and the company, and open to change.
• Customer service focus: building relationships with a wide variety of internal and external customers.

Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2-4 years of freight forwarding experience preferred.
• Dangerous Goods Certification preferred.
• Certified CargoWise Specialist (CCO) required.
• Advanced knowledge of CargoWise.
• Advanced math and geography skills.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to analyze numerical data, understand components and relationships, find patterns, and draw conclusions.
• Intermediate knowledge of freight movement, ocean vendors, ocean space configurations, container loads, special loading constraints, regulatory requirements, pricing, service routings, AIT product offerings, equipment types, incoterms, and shipment profitability.
• Intermediate knowledge of country regulations and AIT policies and procedures to minimize risks.
• Ability to perform calculations using units of currency, weight, volume, and distance measurements.
• Basic to intermediate experience using MS Office.
• Applies acquired job skills and company policies to complete assigned tasks.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and write routine correspondence.
• Effective communication and interaction with a variety of people; ability to present information in one-on-one or small group settings.

Benefits

• Eligibility for a bonus based on business and/or individual performance metrics (dependent on position).
• Medical, prescription, health savings account, and flexible spending accounts.
• Dental and vision coverage.
• Life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Supplemental health and employee support programs.
• Paid parental leave.
• Pet insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• 10 to 20 days of vacation annually (depending on tenure).
• 2 personal days, 1 floating holiday, and 5 sick days annually.
• 5 volunteer hours and 6 company holidays annually (plus Veterans Day for veterans).

About AIT Worldwide

AIT Worldwide Logistics is a global freight forwarder that helps companies grow by expanding access to markets worldwide for selling or procuring raw materials, components, and finished goods. For over 40 years, the Chicago-based supply chain solutions leader has relied on a consultative approach to build a global network and trusted partnerships across industries, including aerospace, automotive, consumer retail, energy, food, government, high-tech, industrial, life sciences, and marine. Backed by scalable, user-friendly technology, AIT offers flexible door-to-door deliveries via sea, air, ground, and rail—on time and on budget. Services also include customs clearance, warehouse management, and white glove services. AIT operates more than 150 worldwide locations in Asia, Europe, and North America.