Ocean Import Coordinator

Department: Ocean Freight Operations – Imports

Employment Type:

Full-Time

Compensation: $60,000 – $70,000 per year, commensurate with experience

Our client is a well-established, family-owned freight forwarding and logistics company with decades of experience moving cargo worldwide. Operating from a Manhattan headquarters with additional U.S. and Canadian offices, the company provides ocean and air freight forwarding, first-to-final-mile distribution, warehousing (including cold storage), licensed customs brokerage, marine insurance, and supply chain visibility technology through an extensive global partner network. The company is C-TPAT certified and known for transparent communication, hands-on service, and long‑term client relationships.

We are looking for a detail-driven Ocean Import Coordinator to manage ocean import shipments from booking through final delivery. You will be the day-to-day point of contact for customers, steamship lines, customs brokers, truckers, and warehouses, ensuring every container clears and moves on time, in compliance with U.S. customs regulations, and with clear, proactive communication. This is a hybrid role based out of the company's Manhattan headquarters, well suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven logistics environment.

• Coordinate ocean import shipments end-to-end: review bookings, monitor vessel schedules, and track containers from origin through discharge and final delivery.
• Review and process import documentation, including bills of lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, and arrival notices, checking for accuracy and completeness.
• Liaise with customs brokerage to support timely ISF (10+2) filings and entry submissions, ensuring compliance with CBP and other regulatory requirements.
• Communicate proactively with customers on shipment status, ETAs, delays, and exceptions, providing clear updates and resolving issues before they escalate.
• Coordinate with ocean carriers, terminals, drayage providers, and warehouses to schedule pickups, deliveries, and container returns, and to manage demurrage and detention exposure.
• Maintain accurate shipment records in the company's TMS/operating system, ensuring milestones, costs, and documentation are logged in real time.
• Review carrier and vendor invoices for accuracy against quoted rates and contracts, and support timely billing to clients.
• Flag and help resolve exceptions such as customs holds, damaged cargo, missing documentation, or shipment delays, escalating to the Ocean Import Manager as needed.
• Support month-end reporting and contribute to continuous improvement of import processes and procedures.
• Uphold C-TPAT and cargo security protocols in all aspects of shipment handling.

• 1–3+ years of experience in ocean import operations, freight forwarding, or customs brokerage support (candidates with strong related logistics experience are also encouraged to apply).
• Working knowledge of Incoterms, HS/HTS classifications, ISF filing requirements, and U.S. import compliance basics.
• Familiarity with a freight forwarding TMS or operating system and strong Microsoft Excel/Office skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple customers and shipments simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail when reviewing shipping and customs documentation.
• A collaborative, service-minded approach and comfort working cross-functionally with brokerage, sales, and warehouse teams.
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, logistics, international business, or a related field preferred, or equivalent industry experience.

• Experience coordinating cold chain, project cargo, or LCL/FCL consolidation shipments.
• Exposure to licensed customs brokerage processes or progress toward a Customs Broker License.
• Additional language skills relevant to the company's international partner network.

• Commute paid for
• The stability and mentorship of a long-established, family-run company with a large global partner network.
• Health benefits, paid time off, and a collaborative team culture built on transparency and long-term relationships.
• Room to grow within ocean freight operations as the company continues to expand.