Global Logistics & Customs Specialist

WhiteWater West-; Richmond; Hybrid; CAD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

WhiteWater West in Richmond, BC is seeking a Global Logistics and Customs Specialist to manage end-to-end international project cargo. The role requires hands-on experience with ocean and air shipments, strong customs knowledge, and the ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget.

The position is full-time, hybrid (4 days in office and 1 day remote) with relocation of the office to Vancouver mid-2027.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands-on project logistics experience with ocean and air freight.
• Experience with letter of credit shipments and documentary credit handling.
• Strong knowledge of ocean bills of lading, Incoterms 2020, customs valuation and HS classification.
• Advanced Excel and MS Office skills with ability to consolidate data from multiple sources.
• LEAN principles and Standard Work awareness is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end shipping for assigned projects and deliver shipments on time and within budget.
• Arrange international and domestic shipments by ocean, air, courier and ground across import, export and cross-trade lanes.
• Review freight POs and approve invoices in accordance with procedures.
• Coordinate with project managers, buyers, engineers, customers, banks and customs authorities.
• Research customs and tariff issues independently and with brokers to resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain weekly project shipment summaries and ensure timely ERP data entry.

Skills

Team player

Communication

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Education

Postsecondary degree or equivalent

Tools

D365

Power BI

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

WhiteWater makes products, but we are a service business at our heart, which means we are a people business. In this way, we excel and create value for our clients by listening to their needs, collaborating to develop solutions, problem-solving and attending to the details. Our culture, as you would expect, reflects these traits. We are a diverse group of experts, from creative designers to talented engineers. Whatever expertise we bring from all over the world, we listen and learn from each other because we are aligned with a clearly understood purpose. Together, we create fun for families globally.

Position: Global Logistics and Customs Specialist

Shift: 40 hours | Full-time

Department: Project Management

Location: Richmond, BC, Canada (relocating to Vancouver Downtown - mid 2027)

Reports to: Global Logistics Manager

Purpose

The Global Logistics & Customs Specialist manages the end-to-end international movement of project cargo across import, export and cross-trade lanes. This role requires hands-on operational experience arranging both ocean and air shipments, strong customs and trade knowledge, and the ability to deliver complex projects on time and within budget in a fast-paced global environment.

This is a full-time, permanent position based at the Richmond, BC head office (4 days in office / 1 day remote) which will move to 5 days in-office once the office moves from Richmond to Mount Pleasant Vancouver, BC mid-2027.

YOUR ROLE

• Shipment Management
  • Own end-to-end shipping for assigned projects, including PO and work-order cargo, and deliver shipments on time and within
  • Arrange international and domestic shipments by ocean, air, courier and ground across import, export and cross-trade lanes using applicable Incoterms.
  • Manage project shipment values, freight POs, invoice review and approvals in accordance with established
  • Manage letter of credit shipments and documentary credit negotiations, including document preparation, bank presentations and discrepancy resolution.
  • Run competitive freight bids and negotiate rates with carriers and logistics service
  • Maintain provider relationships and onboard new providers as
  • Coordinate with project managers, buyers, engineers, customers, banks, customs authorities, chambers of commerce and government offices.
  • Support marketing and trade show shipments, fiberglass mould transfers, production transfers, vendor onboarding, sales estimates and other shipping activities assigned by the Global Logistics Manager.
  • Research customs and tariff issues independently and with customs

• Administrative Responsibilities
  • Maintain weekly project shipment summaries and accurate tracking
  • Request timely receiving of goods and freight purchase orders in the ERP
  • Support freight-spend and master RFQ
  • Actively contribute to continuous improvement and participate in developing or improving processes, procedures and
  • Follow global logistics procedures and provide coverage for other team members as
  • Support occasional urgent local procurement

• Customs Formalities
  • Manage import and export customs formalities with brokers and regulatory bodies, including complete and accurate clearance
  • Classify new items, support country-of-origin and customs valuation determinations, and apply free trade agreements where
  • Maintain customs records and arrange required cargo inspections, document certification and legalization

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education

• Postsecondary certificate, diploma or bachelor’s degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of continuing education and work experience (e.g., SCMP, CIFFA, CITT or regional equivalents).

Experience

• Project logistics work experience is mandatory.

• 3-5 years of hands-on operational experience arranging both ocean freight (FCL/LCL) and air freight shipments is required.
• Demonstrated experience with letter of credit shipments and documentary credit negotiation is required, including document review, bank presentations, discrepancy management and coordination with internal and external parties.
• Strong working knowledge of ocean bills of lading is required, including original, express release/sea waybill, straight and negotiable/order bills of lading, and surrender/telex release processes.
• Proficiency in Incoterms 2020 and a practical understanding of customs formalities, HS classification, country of origin and customs valuation.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office skills, with the ability to independently consolidate and analyze data from multiple sources.
• Strong communication, stakeholder-management and commercial negotiation skills.
• Confident using AI tools, ERP systems and other digital tools to improve logistics efficiency; D365 or comparable ERP experience is a strong asset. Familiarity with Power BI, trade-compliance software, dangerous goods and courier shipping is also an asset.
• Familiarity with LEAN principles and Standard Work is an asset.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• A strong team-player mindset is essential. The successful candidate works across functions, shares information and workload, avoids siloed working, and consistently treats project delivery as a shared team responsibility.
• Constructively speaks up when risks, issues or improvement opportunities arise and pairs concerns with practical solutions or recommended next steps.
• Confident and resourceful when shipping to unfamiliar destinations, using sound logistics judgment, independent research to deliver compliant, high-quality outcomes.
• Reliable, proactive and resourceful, with sound judgment and careful attention to
• Resilient and adaptable in a fast-paced environment with changing priorities and
• Highly organized and able to prioritize multiple projects independently with minimal
• Clear, professional written and verbal communicator who works effectively across cultures and time
• Additional languages are an asset.

WHITEWATER COMPETENCIES

• Accountability – We do what we say
• Collaboration – We work well together
• Customer Focus – We know and respond to our customers
• Communication – We listen to and understand each other
• Authenticity – We are honest and trust each other
• Resilience – We deal effectively with pressure, are persistent and optimistic
• Flexibility & Adaptability – We are willing and able to respond to changing circumstances.

WhiteWateris proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate the diversity of all employees and applicants and are strongly committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone.

We thank all the candidates who take the time and energy to apply. Given the volume of applications, it makes responding personally to each applicant difficult, but please know we are grateful for your interest. We look forward to connecting with you through this search or future ones. All the best in your job search.