Ocean Freight Manager
About The Position
AmeriLux Logistics is hiring an Ocean Freight Manager to own ocean freight for fully managed customers, from booking through final delivery. The role coordinates shipments, manages carrier and partner performance, and negotiates rates and contracts to support cost-effective, on-time supply chains. The manager oversees end-to-end FCL and LCL shipments, serves as the primary contact for assigned customers, ensures accurate shipping documentation, and addresses disruptions such as congestion, vessel rollings, blank sailings, and equipment shortages. The position also owns portfolio service levels, transit performance, cost and KPI reporting; leads quarterly customer business reviews; manages partner scorecards; supports regulatory compliance; and negotiates contracts, rates, capacity, and accessorial terms. The position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience, at least three years of international ocean freight experience (including two years in a customer-facing or account management role), and a record of negotiating ocean freight rates and carrier contracts. Familiarity with Incoterms, ocean documentation, ISF and U.S. customs processes, as well as proficiency with TMS platforms, shipment visibility tools, and Microsoft Excel, is required.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
- At least 3 years of international ocean freight experience with a forwarder, NVOCC, 3PL, or shipper, including at least 2 years in a customer-facing or account management role.
- Proven track record negotiating ocean freight rates and carrier contracts.
- Working knowledge of Incoterms, ocean documentation, ISF, and U.S. customs processes.
- Proficiency with TMS platforms, shipment visibility tools, and Microsoft Excel.
Nice To Haves
- Licensed Customs Broker (LCB) or Certified International Freight Forwarder (CIFF) credential.
- Experience managing fully managed or outsourced logistics accounts.
- Established relationships with major ocean carriers and overseas agent networks.
- Experience supervising or mentoring a team.
Responsibilities
- Coordinate end-to-end FCL and LCL ocean freight for fully managed customers, from purchase order and booking through vessel departure, arrival, customs clearance, and final-mile delivery.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customers, providing shipment updates, exception alerts, and recovery plans.
- Coordinate with overseas agents, NVOCCs, steamship lines, customs brokers, drayage carriers, and warehouses to keep cargo on schedule.
- Ensure shipping documentation is accurate and timely, including bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, ISF filings, and certificates of origin.
- Monitor port congestion, vessel rollings, blank sailings, and equipment shortages; reroute or rebook shipments as needed.
- Own the ocean freight portfolio for fully managed accounts, including service levels, transit performance, and cost.
- Track and report KPIs, including on-time performance, transit time, cost per container, and demurrage and detention exposure.
- Lead quarterly business reviews with customers, presenting performance data and improvement opportunities.
- Manage carrier and vendor scorecards and hold partners accountable to agreed service levels.
- Minimize demurrage, detention, and per diem charges through proactive planning and dispute resolution.
- Ensure compliance with U.S. Customs (CBP), FMC regulations, Incoterms, and applicable trade and sanctions rules.
- Negotiate annual service contracts and spot rates with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, and freight forwarders.
- Run customer ocean freight RFQs and bid events, analyze lane-by-lane pricing, and recommend awards.
- Secure space and equipment allocations during peak seasons and capacity constraints.
- Negotiate accessorial charges, free time, and demurrage and detention waivers.
- Review and audit freight invoices against contracted rates and resolve billing disputes.
- Build and maintain relationships with carrier and agent partners to gain competitive advantage for AmeriLux customers.
Benefits
- Nationally award-winning zero-dollar deductible healthcare plan.
- Free onsite healthcare clinic.
- Dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- Disability insurance.
- Life insurance.
- 401(k) match.
- Employee assistance program.
- Paid time off.
- Flexible spending account access.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
