Air Freight Forwarding Manager- Exports

Yusen Logistics • Elk Grove Village, IL

20h • $82,936 - $135,577 • Hybrid

About The Position

The AFF Manager - Export position directs and oversees daily air export operations at the branch level, ensuring processes are compliant, efficient, and financial performance . This role supports both tactical execution and strategic development across customs services, branch procedures, vendor negotiations, and client onboarding. The role collaborates directly with branch leadership, sales teams, and GHQ-ARM members to drive innovation and profitability in AFF.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in international freight forwarding/gateway/Logistics, including 4+ years in a management role.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Must possess excellent customer service skills or sales skills with the ability to grasp extensive knowledge while dealing with a variety of people.
• Strong knowledge of international freight forwarding business.
• Must have organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
• Must have strong intention to involve problem solving.
• Must have the ability to compose letters, memos, emails and other written documentation clearly and concisely.
• Be able to present oneself in a highly cooperative and professional manner when meeting both internal and external customers and vendors face to face.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day air export operations, ensuring timely, accurate, safe, and compliant processing of shipments—including special handling, DG, oversized, and time-critical cargo.
• Oversee all Dangerous Goods (DG) compliance for export shipments, ensuring proper classification, packaging, documentation, acceptance checks, and staff training per IATA and federal regulations.
• Act as the escalation point for DG-related issues and ensure DG-certified staff are scheduled appropriately to support operational needs.
• Coordinate closely with Brokerage teams when export documentation or clearance intersects with inbound workflows to prevent delays and maintain regulatory consistency.
• Maintain strict adherence to U.S. and international export regulations, TSA requirements, carrier rules, DG regulations, and internal compliance standards.
• Develop, execute, and maintain audit programs, SOPs, DG handling procedures, and process controls to support consistent, compliant operations.
• Monitor performance against KPIs, providing hands-on coaching, training, and performance management for Export, Gateway, and Customer Service staff.
• Partner with Air Export, Gateway, and Customer Service teams to streamline communication, improve workflow efficiency, and strengthen customer experience.
• Oversee creation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of customer-specific export and DG procedures, with special attention during onboarding and process transitions.
• Lead the customer service function for export operations, ensuring prompt, accurate communication, proactive problem-solving, and timely updates for bookings, milestones, and exceptions.
• Manage escalations related to service issues, DG concerns, customer inquiries, and service failures, providing resolution and communication to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with carriers, vendors, and service partners to ensure service reliability, DG handling capabilities, and cost effectiveness.
• Support RFQs, new business development, and customer growth, providing export and DG expertise to strengthen proposals and operational solutions.
• Work closely with Sales and Branch Management to ensure customer expectations, SLAs, and service levels are consistently met or exceeded.
• Liaise across business units and headquarters to optimize export capacity, space allocation, DG movement planning, cost structures, and network efficiency.
• Track, analyze, and report export KPIs, customer service metrics, DG compliance data, and overall performance results, ensuring targets are met.
• Oversee shipment accounting, including vendor payables, customer billing, receivables, profitability reporting, and margin analysis.
• Support pricing strategies and rate discussions with carriers and 3PL partners, including DG-related surcharges and service considerations.
• Direct claims management, ensuring timely reporting, accurate documentation, customer communication, and root-cause follow-up.
• Manage and develop Export, Gateway, and Customer Service leaders, including hiring, coaching, training, and performance evaluation.
• Ensure all supervisory activities comply with organizational policy, TSA and IATA DG regulations, labor laws, and industry standards.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for operational emergencies, DG issues, service disruptions, and strategic decision-making.
• Foster strong relationships with internal teams, customers, carriers, and vendors to support operational continuity, customer satisfaction, and long-term business success.

Benefits

• Yusen offers a generous Employee Benefits Package including: Medical, Dental, and Vision beginning the 1 st of the month following start date
• 401k with a company match
• Standard 10 days PTO
• Eligible for bonus plan
• Flexible Spending Accounts, Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Tuition Assistance Program, Commuter Benefits, vacation , and much more
• Any and all benefits offered are subject to the eligibility requirements, terms, and provisions set forth in the respective policies and plan documents, which you may request from Human Resources.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees