Ocean Export Coordinator

Rhenus Logistics•Des Plaines, IL

About The Position

Coordinate ocean export shipments from booking through final delivery, including FCL and LCL cargo. Book cargo with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, and consolidators; monitor vessel schedules, documentation deadlines, cut-offs, and shipment milestones. Prepare, review, and process export documentation, including HBLs/MBLs, shipping instructions, commercial documents, certificates of origin, and other required export documentation. Coordinate with customers, carriers, truckers, warehouses, overseas agents, and destination offices to ensure timely cargo pickup, container loading, and shipment execution. Ensure shipments comply with applicable U.S. export requirements, AES filings, FMC requirements, Incoterms, and destination-country regulations. Track shipments throughout the transportation cycle, proactively communicate status updates, and resolve delays, documentation issues, discrepancies, and service exceptions. Prepare and distribute pre-alerts and required shipping documentation to customers, consignees, destination offices, and overseas agents. Maintain complete and accurate shipment files within the freight forwarding/TMS system in accordance with company standards. Review vendor and carrier invoices, reconcile shipment costs, and ensure accurate and timely customer billing. Support quotations, rate requests, and commercial activities as required. Coordinate cross-trade shipments and collaborate with Rhenus offices and partners globally. Work closely with Sales, Finance, and Operations to ensure a seamless customer experience.

Requirements

2+ years of hands-on ocean freight forwarding experience, with a strong focus on export operations.
Demonstrated experience independently coordinating FCL and LCL ocean export shipments from booking through final delivery.
Strong knowledge of Bills of Lading, carrier bookings, shipping instructions, export documentation, Incoterms, and international shipping processes.
Knowledge of U.S. export compliance requirements and AES filing processes.
Experience using freight forwarding/TMS platforms.
Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across internal and external stakeholders.
Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize multiple shipments in a fast-paced environment.
Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy, particularly when preparing shipping documentation and managing operational records.
Strong attention to detail required for documentation and day-to-day tasks.
A proactive, team-oriented mindset with strong problem-solving skills and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.

Nice To Haves

Formal export compliance training is an asset.
Experience with FMC requirements, Letters of Credit, ICS2, cross-trade shipments, and international agent coordination is an asset.
Dangerous Goods (DG) certification or experience handling hazardous ocean cargo is an asset.
CargoWise experience is an asset.

Responsibilities

Coordinate ocean export shipments from booking through final delivery, including FCL and LCL cargo.
Book cargo with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, and consolidators; monitor vessel schedules, documentation deadlines, cut-offs, and shipment milestones.
Prepare, review, and process export documentation, including HBLs/MBLs, shipping instructions, commercial documents, certificates of origin, and other required export documentation.
Coordinate with customers, carriers, truckers, warehouses, overseas agents, and destination offices to ensure timely cargo pickup, container loading, and shipment execution.
Ensure shipments comply with applicable U.S. export requirements, AES filings, FMC requirements, Incoterms, and destination-country regulations.
Track shipments throughout the transportation cycle, proactively communicate status updates, and resolve delays, documentation issues, discrepancies, and service exceptions.
Prepare and distribute pre-alerts and required shipping documentation to customers, consignees, destination offices, and overseas agents.
Maintain complete and accurate shipment files within the freight forwarding/TMS system in accordance with company standards.
Review vendor and carrier invoices, reconcile shipment costs, and ensure accurate and timely customer billing.
Support quotations, rate requests, and commercial activities as required.
Coordinate cross-trade shipments and collaborate with Rhenus offices and partners globally.
Work closely with Sales, Finance, and Operations to ensure a seamless customer experience.