Ocean Import Supervisor
- Brampton, ON, Canada
$70,000 - $75,000 · Full-time
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Job details
- Pay
- $70,000 - $75,000
- Job type
- Full-time
- Apply by
- Experience
- Minimum 5 years of ocean import experience within an international freight forwarding environment.
- Posting language
- English
- Posted
Original job description
Open Position
$70,000 - $75,000
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Ocean Import Supervisor to oversee the daily operations of a busy international freight forwarding department. The successful candidate will lead and support the Ocean Import team, ensuring efficient shipment execution, regulatory compliance, operational profitability, and exceptional customer service.
This role requires a strong understanding of FCL and LCL ocean imports, Canadian customs procedures, and CargoWise, combined with proven leadership skills and the ability to manage complex shipments in a fast-paced environment.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, solutions-focused leader who can effectively balance team supervision with hands-on operational responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Ocean Import Operations
Financial Performance & Process Improvement
$70,000 - $75,000
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Ocean Import Supervisor to oversee the daily operations of a busy international freight forwarding department. The successful candidate will lead and support the Ocean Import team, ensuring efficient shipment execution, regulatory compliance, operational profitability, and exceptional customer service.
This role requires a strong understanding of FCL and LCL ocean imports, Canadian customs procedures, and CargoWise, combined with proven leadership skills and the ability to manage complex shipments in a fast-paced environment.
The ideal candidate is a proactive, solutions-focused leader who can effectively balance team supervision with hands-on operational responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Ocean Import Operations
- Oversee daily ocean import operations, ensuring the timely and accurate movement of FCL and LCL shipments from origin through final delivery.
- Supervise shipment bookings, documentation, arrival notices, customs coordination, cargo releases, and inland transportation arrangements.
- Monitor vessel schedules, shipment milestones, container availability, and delivery commitments.
- Coordinate with steamship lines, overseas agents, customs brokers, rail providers, and trucking companies to maintain efficient cargo movement.
- Provide hands-on support with complex shipments, escalations, and operational challenges.
- Monitor demurrage, detention, storage charges, and container free time to minimize unnecessary costs.
- Ensure compliance with CBSA regulations, ACI E-Manifest requirements, bonded cargo procedures, and international shipping standards.
- Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve shipment visibility, and enhance operational efficiency.
- Lead, mentor, and support a team of Ocean Import Coordinators, ensuring consistent performance and service delivery.
- Oversee daily workload distribution, shipment assignments, and operational priorities.
- Establish clear expectations for productivity, accuracy, customer service, and regulatory compliance.
- Provide coaching, training, and guidance on freight forwarding procedures, documentation, and CargoWise processes.
- Monitor team performance, address operational challenges, and support employee development.
- Promote a collaborative, accountable, and customer-focused work environment.
- Serve as the primary escalation point for complex shipment issues and customer concerns.
- Utilize CargoWise (CargoWise One) to oversee shipment processing, documentation, tracking, invoicing, and operational reporting.
- Ensure accurate and timely data entry, shipment milestones, cost allocations, and billing information.
- Monitor team adherence to established CargoWise workflows and operational procedures.
- Identify system-related inefficiencies and support process improvements to enhance accuracy and productivity.
- Generate and review operational reports to monitor shipment activity, service performance, and departmental efficiency.
Financial Performance & Process Improvement
- Monitor shipment profitability, freight costs, and operational expenses to support departmental financial objectives.
- Review customer quotations, carrier rates, vendor invoices, and shipment billing for accuracy.
- Negotiate competitive rates with carriers and transportation providers when required.
- Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs, improve margins, and minimize financial exposure.
- Support the development and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
- Collaborate with management to improve operational processes, productivity, and overall service quality.
- Maintain strong relationships with key customers, overseas agents, carriers, and logistics partners.
- Ensure customers receive timely shipment updates and proactive communication regarding delays or service issues.
- Resolve escalated customer concerns, documentation discrepancies, and transportation challenges professionally and efficiently.
- Collaborate with Sales, Pricing, Accounting, and Management to support customer retention and business growth.
- Participate in operational meetings and provide recommendations to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Minimum 5 years of ocean import experience within an international freight forwarding environment.
- Previous supervisory or team leadership experience in freight forwarding operations.
- Mandatory hands-on proficiency with CargoWise including shipment processing, documentation, and operational workflows.
- Comprehensive knowledge of FCL/LCL ocean imports, international shipping procedures, and Canadian customs regulations.
- Strong understanding of CBSA requirements, ACI E-Manifests, cargo control documentation, re-manifesting, and bonded shipments.
- Experience coordinating with ocean carriers, CN/CP rail providers, trucking companies, customs brokers, and overseas agents.
- Solid understanding of Incoterms, freight pricing, shipment profitability, and import documentation.
- Experience managing customer accounts, resolving escalations, and maintaining high service standards.
- Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop operational teams.
- Strong organizational, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines in a high-volume freight forwarding environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Outlook.
- CIFFA certification or post-secondary education in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or International Trade is an asset.
More about this job
Responsibilities
Oversee daily ocean import operations, including shipment execution, customs coordination, compliance, CargoWise workflows, cost control, and customer communication. Lead and develop the Ocean Import team, resolve escalations, and improve operational efficiency, profitability, and service quality.
Requirements
Requires at least five years of ocean import experience in international freight forwarding, prior supervisory or team leadership experience, and hands-on CargoWise proficiency. Candidates should have strong knowledge of FCL/LCL imports, Canadian customs and CBSA requirements, bonded shipments, freight pricing, and customer account management; CIFFA certification or relevant post-secondary education is an asset.
Skills
- Ocean Import Operations
- FCL And LCL Shipments
- CargoWise
- Canadian Customs Compliance
- CBSA Regulations
- ACI E-Manifest
- Bonded Cargo Procedures
- Team Leadership
- Shipment Documentation
- Freight Forwarding
- Shipment Profitability
- Carrier Rate Negotiation
- Customer Service
- Incoterms
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook
Visa sponsorship
Not detected in the job text
Categories
- Logistics
- Transportation
- Management & Leadership
- Customer Service & Support
Keywords
- Ocean Import
- International Freight Forwarding
- FCL
- LCL
- CargoWise One
- CBSA
- ACI E-Manifest
- Canadian Customs
- Bonded Shipments
- Cargo Control Documentation
- Re-Manifesting
- Incoterms
- Shipment Documentation
- Shipment Profitability
- Freight Pricing
- Demurrage
- Detention
- Container Free Time
- Steamship Lines
- CN And CP Rail
- Customs Brokers
- Overseas Agents
- Standard Operating Procedures
- CIFFA
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Outlook