Specialist Ocean Freight & Logistics

Elchemy; Mumbai; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 2,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Elchemy in Mumbai is seeking a seasoned ocean freight professional to own end-to-end planning, budgeting, and optimization for international shipments. You will source competitive rates, negotiate with shipping lines and forwarders, and coordinate bookings, documentation, and DG cargo handling.

Role requires strong analytical and vendor management skills, with hands-on experience in FCL/LCL pricing and cost control in a startup-friendly logistics environment.

Qualifications

• Experience in ocean freight and export logistics with 3–6 years of background.
• Proficient in FCL/LCL pricing, rate negotiations, bookings, and cost optimization.
• Strong knowledge of international shipping, Incoterms, export docs, customs clearance.
• Familiar with DG cargo handling and IMDG regulations preferable.
• Analytical, negotiation, and vendor management skills with Excel proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end ocean freight planning for international shipments with FCL/LCL.
• Source and negotiate competitive ocean freight rates with lines and forwarders.
• Manage freight bookings, vessel schedules, and shipment execution.
• Coordinate domestic transport and packaging with suppliers for timely dispatch.
• Coordinate export documentation and DG cargo coordination with brokers.
• Monitor freight spend against budgets and track shipment profitability.
• Collaborate with sourcing, sales, operations, and finance to align plans.

Skills

Ocean freight planning

Freight procurement

Vendor management

Price negotiations

Freight cost optimization

Excel

Coordination with freight forwarders

Problem solving

Job description

Roles and Responsibilities

Ocean Freight Planning, Pricing & Budgeting:

Own end-to-end ocean freight planning for international shipments, including FCL and LCL cargo. Develop competitive freight cost estimates, manage shipment-level freight budgets, analyze pricing trends, and identify opportunities to optimize logistics costs while ensuring reliable and timely deliveries.

Freight Procurement, Negotiations & Vendor Management:

Independently source and negotiate competitive ocean freight rates with shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics partners. Build strong vendor relationships, evaluate service providers on cost, transit time, and reliability, and continuously identify alternative shipping routes and cost-saving opportunities.

Freight Bookings & Shipment Execution:

Manage ocean freight bookings, vessel schedules, container availability, and shipment planning. Coordinate with freight forwarders, shipping lines, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely cargo movement, proactively resolve shipment challenges, and minimize delays and additional charges.

Supplier Coordination & Domestic Transportation:

Coordinate with suppliers and manufacturers to track cargo readiness, packaging, pickup schedules, and dispatch timelines. Arrange domestic transportation from supplier locations to ports or container freight stations, ensuring smooth cargo movement and adherence to planned shipment schedules.

Export Documentation, Customs & DG Cargo Coordination:

Work closely with customs brokers, freight forwarders, and suppliers to facilitate export clearance and documentation, including shipping bills, bills of lading, packing lists, and other shipment-related requirements. Coordinate the movement of dangerous goods (DG) and chemical cargo in compliance with applicable shipping regulations and documentation requirements.

Freight Cost Optimization & Performance Tracking:

Monitor freight expenditures against budgets, analyze freight rate fluctuations, identify cost-saving opportunities, and track shipment-level profitability. Maintain freight pricing databases, compare vendor quotations, and provide actionable insights to support commercial decisions and improve logistics efficiency.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Excellence:

Work closely with Elchemy's sourcing, sales, operations, and finance teams to align freight planning with customer commitments and supplier readiness. Maintain accurate shipment records, improve freight procurement and booking processes, and leverage technology and data to build efficient, scalable logistics operations.

Skills and Qualifications

• 3 to 6 years of experience in ocean freight, freight procurement, or export logistics, preferably in the chemical manufacturing, trading, or export industry.
• Hands-on experience in FCL/LCL freight pricing, rate negotiations, bookings, and freight cost optimization.
• Strong knowledge of international shipping, Incoterms, export documentation, customs clearance, and domestic transportation.
• Familiarity with chemical shipments, DG cargo handling, and IMDG regulations will be an advantage.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and vendor management skills, with proficiency in Excel and freight cost tracking.
• Ability to independently coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders, shipping lines, and internal stakeholders.
• Highly driven, detail-oriented, and proactive, with strong ownership, problem-solving abilities, and adaptability in a fast-paced startup environment.