Air Freight Forwarding Manager- Exports

Yusen Logistics•Elk Grove Village, IL

2d•$86,253 - $141,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Air Freight Forwarding Manager – Exports directs and oversees daily branch-level air export operations, ensuring compliant and efficient processes and financial performance. The role combines tactical execution with strategic development across customs services, branch procedures, vendor negotiations, and client onboarding. It works closely with branch leadership, sales teams, and headquarters members to improve innovation and profitability in air freight forwarding. The manager leads export operations, including dangerous goods (DG) compliance, customer service, workflow improvement, vendor and carrier coordination, shipment accounting, pricing support, claims management, and performance reporting. The role also manages and develops Export, Gateway, and Customer Service leaders and staff, and serves as the primary escalation point for operational emergencies, DG issues, service disruptions, and strategic decisions. The position has a hybrid work schedule, with remote and in-office work. In-office attendance may be required on scheduled days or for specific events, meetings, or team activities. Travel or off-site meetings may occur up to 5% of the time.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in international freight forwarding, gateway, or logistics, including at least 4 years in a management role.
Bachelor’s degree preferred; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Excellent customer service or sales skills and the ability to acquire extensive knowledge while working with a variety of people.
Strong knowledge of the international freight forwarding business.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to organize and manage multiple priorities.
Problem-solving ability.
Ability to write letters, memos, emails, and other documentation clearly and concisely.
Ability to present oneself in a highly cooperative and professional manner when meeting internal and external customers and vendors face-to-face.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and multitask in a dynamic environment.
Ability to communicate frequently with coworkers and clients to exchange accurate information.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree.

Responsibilities

Supervise day-to-day air export operations, ensuring timely, accurate, safe, and compliant shipment processing, including special handling, dangerous goods, oversized, and time-critical cargo.
Oversee dangerous goods compliance for export shipments, including classification, packaging, documentation, acceptance checks, and staff training in accordance with IATA and federal regulations.
Act as the escalation point for dangerous-goods issues and schedule DG-certified staff to support operational needs.
Coordinate with Brokerage teams when export documentation or clearance intersects with inbound workflows.
Maintain adherence to U.S. and international export regulations, TSA requirements, carrier rules, dangerous-goods regulations, and internal compliance standards.
Develop, execute, and maintain audit programs, SOPs, dangerous-goods handling procedures, and process controls.
Monitor KPIs and coach, train, and manage the performance of Export, Gateway, and Customer Service staff.
Partner with Air Export, Gateway, and Customer Service teams to improve communication, workflow efficiency, and customer experience.
Oversee the creation, maintenance, and improvement of customer-specific export and dangerous-goods procedures, especially during onboarding and process transitions.
Lead export customer service, ensuring prompt and accurate communication, proactive problem-solving, and timely updates on bookings, milestones, and exceptions.
Manage escalations involving service issues, dangerous-goods concerns, customer inquiries, and service failures; resolve issues and communicate with stakeholders.
Collaborate with carriers, vendors, and service partners to support service reliability, dangerous-goods capabilities, and cost effectiveness.
Support RFQs, new business development, and customer growth by providing export and dangerous-goods expertise.
Work with Sales and Branch Management to meet or exceed customer expectations, SLAs, and service levels.
Coordinate across business units and headquarters to optimize export capacity, space allocation, dangerous-goods movement planning, cost structures, and network efficiency.
Track, analyze, and report export KPIs, customer service metrics, dangerous-goods compliance data, and overall performance.
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 dangerous-goods surcharges and service considerations.
Direct claims management, including 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 supervisory activities comply with organizational policy, TSA and IATA dangerous-goods regulations, labor laws, and industry standards.
Serve as the primary escalation point for operational emergencies, dangerous-goods issues, service disruptions, and strategic decision-making.
Build strong relationships with internal teams, customers, carriers, and vendors to support operational continuity, customer satisfaction, and long-term business success.