Air Export Manager

ALS Recruiting Ltd; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ALS Recruiting Ltd is seeking an experienced Air Export Manager in Chicago to lead the daily air export operations, supervise staff, and ensure compliance with U.S. and international regulations while delivering exceptional customer service.

You will optimize CargoWise usage, manage carrier relationships, monitor performance, and collaborate with Sales, Customs Brokerage, Import Operations, Accounting, and Warehouse teams to drive efficiency and profitability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in international air freight forwarding.
• At least 2 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Hands-on CargoWise experience for export operations, documentation, and reporting.
• Strong knowledge of IATA, TSA, AES filings, and export compliance.
• Familiarity with Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) preferred.
• Proficient in Incoterms and international shipping documentation.
• Experience with airlines, overseas agents, customs brokers, trucking companies, and warehouses.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel, Outlook, Word).

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of international air export operations from booking through final delivery.
• Lead and develop the air export team to ensure high performance.
• Assign workloads to meet service deadlines and performance standards.
• Utilize CargoWise to manage processing, documentation, billing, and tracking.
• Ensure shipment files are complete and compliant with standards.
• Review and approve AWBs, invoices, packing lists, AES filings.
• Maintain compliance with TSA, IATA, FAA and U.S. export regulations.
• Monitor KPIs and drive process improvements for efficiency and service quality.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

Customer service

Regulatory knowledge

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

The Air Export Manager is responsible for leading the daily operations of the air export department while ensuring exceptional customer service, operational efficiency, and compliance with all international shipping regulations. This role oversees export staff, manages carrier relationships, monitors shipment performance, and drives continuous process improvements using the CargoWise freight management system.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of international air export operations from booking through final delivery.
• Supervise, coach, and develop the air export team to ensure high performance and professional growth.
• Assign workloads and monitor daily operational activities to meet service expectations and deadlines.
• Utilize CargoWise to manage shipment processing, documentation, billing, reporting, and shipment tracking.
• Ensure all shipment files are complete, accurate, and maintained in accordance with company standards.
• Review and approve export documentation, including Air Waybills (AWBs), commercial invoices, packing lists, export declarations, and AES filings.
• Ensure compliance with TSA, IATA, FAA, and all applicable U.S. export regulations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with customers, airlines, overseas agents, truckers, and vendors.
• Monitor shipment status and proactively resolve service issues, delays, or exceptions.
• Negotiate competitive rates with airlines and service providers while maintaining profitability.
• Review shipment profitability, costs, and operational performance using CargoWise reporting tools.
• Collaborate with Sales to support customer growth, pricing requests, and strategic opportunities.
• Work closely with Customs Brokerage, Import Operations, Accounting, and Warehouse teams to ensure seamless shipment execution.
• Monitor departmental KPIs and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Conduct regular team meetings, training sessions, and performance evaluations.
• Ensure accurate billing, cost entry, and timely invoicing.
• Stay informed on industry regulations, carrier updates, and market conditions affecting air freight.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of international air freight forwarding experience.
• At least 2 years of leadership or supervisory experience within air export operations.
• Hands‑on experience using CargoWise for export operations, documentation, shipment management, and reporting.
• Strong understanding of IATA regulations, TSA security requirements, AES filings, and export compliance.
• Working knowledge of Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) preferred.
• Thorough understanding of Incoterms and international shipping documentation.
• Experience working with airlines, overseas agents, customs brokers, trucking companies, and warehouses.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Outlook, and Word.

Preferred Skills

• Experience managing customer accounts within a freight forwarding environment.
• Knowledge of airline pricing, capacity planning, and carrier negotiations.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures and departmental workflows.
• Ability to analyze operational metrics and identify opportunities for improvement.

Core Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management abilities.
• Outstanding customer service and relationship management.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast‑paced environment.
• Professionalism when interacting with customers, vendors, and colleagues.
• Ability to make sound operational decisions under pressure.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Success in This Role

The successful candidate is a proactive leader who can effectively manage people, processes, and customer expectations while leveraging CargoWise to ensure operational excellence. This individual thrives in a fast‑paced logistics environment, promotes teamwork, and consistently delivers high‑quality service while meeting financial and operational goals.