Import Specialist

JAS Worldwide•Charleston, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Import Specialist processes and handles air and ocean import shipments for customers, ensuring high-quality service and meeting or exceeding customer requirements. The role may oversee Customs House Brokerage (CHB) processes and ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and JAS Forwarding operating procedures. It may also involve completing customs broker transactions and other government agency requirements in a timely manner. The position prepares and processes shipment documentation, tracks bookings and shipments, communicates shipment status and delays, coordinates delivery, collects proof of delivery, and handles file costing and invoicing. It provides customer service, supports quoting and job-costing activities, resolves payable discrepancies, monitors customer performance, promotes departmental compliance, and escalates issues when appropriate. The specialist may also provide team coverage and perform other duties as requested. The role is performed entirely in a climate-controlled internal office environment under normal office conditions. The employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, use hands and fingers to feel and handle, reach, talk, and hear. The employee frequently stoops, kneels, and crouches, and may lift or exert force up to 25 pounds.

Requirements

At least 3 years of experience handling imports (air and/or ocean), or a combination of education and expertise.
Excellent organizational skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Flexibility.
Detail-oriented, able to multitask, and able to meet deadlines.
Able to work both independently and as part of a team.
Knowledge of U.S. customs laws, practices, and procedures.
Good working knowledge of Incoterms.
GED required; a high school diploma is listed as a plus.

Nice To Haves

Experience and knowledge regarding imports, compliance, rules, and regulations.
Strong computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite.
Experience working in CargoWise (C1).
Knowledge of Importer Security Filing (ISF).

Responsibilities

Prepare, review, and process shipment documents, ensuring files are accurate, complete, and properly organized.
Receive and track customer bookings and shipments, communicate shipment status and delays, dispatch shipments for delivery, collect proof of delivery, and cost and invoice files.
Comply with company business process guidelines.
Bill or invoice each file to the appropriate customer, observing payment terms for the responsible party.
Resolve and reconcile incorrect payables in coordination with vendors and overseas offices.
Assist sales, department managers, and colleagues with compiling quotes.
Prepare accurate job-costing forecasts and ensure payables, receivables, and accruals are properly managed under company rules and guidelines.
Provide responsive customer service and timely correspondence to customers.
Dispatch freight for delivery and maintain communication with the trucker during delivery.
Recognize changes in customer shipping trends and report them to management.
Cross-train and provide backup for team members when necessary.
Report on customer performance and identify changes in support needs.
Promote compliance across the department or section.
Work through problems and identify issues that should be communicated or escalated to management.
Perform other duties as requested and additional or different responsibilities as business needs change.
Follow company HR policies, the Code of Business Conduct, and department policies and procedures; protect confidential information, attend work punctually and regularly, and follow good safety practices.