Ocean Export Agent II

AIT Worldwide Logistics•Palatine, IL

12d

About The Position

AIT Worldwide Logistics is seeking an Ocean Export Agent II to coordinate the day-to-day export of international freight-forwarding shipments into and out of the USA across international transportation modes, based on customer requests. The role focuses on operational excellence and providing a high level of customer service. The agent manages shipments from order validation, routing, quotations, and booking through documentation, vessel tracking, invoicing, and final cost review. The stated wage range is $27.80–$39.20 and may vary based on geography and the candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
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, identify 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 that minimize risks to customers and the company.
Ability to perform arithmetic using units of currency, weight, volume, and distance.
Basic to intermediate experience using MS Office.
Ability to apply acquired job skills and company policies and procedures to assigned tasks.
Ability to read, comprehend, and write routine correspondence.
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with a variety of people and present information in one-on-one or small-group settings.
Teamwork and respect for teammates.
Strong work ethic and appreciation for ownership, independence, accountability, and autonomy.
Growth mindset, passion for the work, willingness to improve, and openness to change.
Customer-service focus and ability to build relationships with internal and external customers.

Nice To Haves

2–4 years of freight-forwarding experience preferred.
Dangerous Goods Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive and validate customer orders, including organization and credit details, export power of attorney, restricted commodities, cargo value, embargoes and sanctions, additional services, documentation requirements, and Incoterms.
Identify the best routing and transit option based on the customer request and standard operating procedures.
Anticipate and obtain vendor quotations for potential order costs; issue quotations to customers or overseas offices/agents and confirm acceptance.
Secure bookings with a coloader or steamship line and arrange inland carriage with a subcontractor when applicable.
Accrue costs in CargoWise and perform initial and final profitability checks.
Issue customer booking confirmations and confirm timely cargo delivery or receipt, updating system milestones.
Receive and validate customer documents and, when applicable, obtain written AES data elements from the USPPI and file AES according to USPPI instructions.
Perform security filings, submit VGM to the carrier, and issue and submit Carrier Shipping Instructions when applicable.
Receive and validate the carrier draft bill of lading; track and confirm vessel departure and update system milestones.
Issue the AIT House Bill of Lading according to customer and destination instructions.
Upload documents to edocs in CargoWise and send pre-alerts to overseas offices or agents.
Confirm final costs, ensure costs are accrued, and issue invoices to customers or overseas offices as required.
Distribute documents according to shipper requirements and standard operating procedures.
Manage customer reporting and additional system milestones as required.