Ocean Freight Manager

The AmeriLux Family of Companies•Green Bay, WI

About The Position

AmeriLux Logistics is hiring an Ocean Freight Manager to own ocean freight for fully managed customers, coordinating shipments from booking through final delivery. The role manages carrier and partner performance, negotiates rates and contracts, and keeps customer supply chains cost-effective and on time. The manager coordinates FCL and LCL shipments, serves as the primary contact for assigned customers, works with international agents and transportation partners, ensures accurate shipping documentation, and responds to disruptions such as port congestion and vessel changes. The role also owns service levels, transit performance, costs, reporting, customer business reviews, partner scorecards, compliance, and efforts to limit demurrage and detention charges. The Ocean Freight Manager negotiates annual and spot rates, conducts freight RFQs, secures capacity, negotiates accessorial charges and free time, reviews invoices, resolves billing disputes, and builds carrier and agent relationships.

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.
Demonstrated experience 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 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.
Ensure accurate and timely 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 service levels, transit performance, and costs for the ocean freight portfolio of fully managed accounts.
Track and report KPIs, including on-time performance, transit time, cost per container, and demurrage and detention exposure.
Lead quarterly customer business reviews, presenting performance data and improvement opportunities.
Manage carrier and vendor scorecards and hold partners accountable to agreed service levels.
Reduce 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 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.