Air Freight Specialist (Houston, TX)

Milestone Staffing Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Milestone Staffing Services in Houston, TX is seeking an Air Freight Specialist to manage air export transactions for major accounts, ensuring TSA/FAA/CBP compliance and accurate, proactive customer service.

You will coordinate with carriers and overseas agents, prepare documentation, quotes, and bills of lading, review SOPs, and monitor shipments to ensure timely departure and delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related field.
• 3–4 years of air freight forwarding experience.
• Experience negotiating airline rates.
• Familiarity with CargoWise preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain positive client relationships with timely, proactive service.
• Communicate with carriers, overseas agents, and customers by phone and email.
• Take booking requests and respond to export customer service calls.
• Set up current buying and selling rates for export shipments.
• Prepare export documentation and send pre-alerts.
• Request documents from shippers (POA, Invoice, Packing List, Insurance, SLI).
• Check shipments in warehouse vs. shipped documents.
• Create quotations and estimate pricing for shipments.
• Review SOPs to ensure TSA/ISO compliance.
• Process high-volume export transactions including booking, docs, billing.
• Submit shipment data to government agencies as required.
• Process bills of lading for outgoing shipments.
• Track shipments and ensure timely departure and delivery.
• Ensure hazmat shipments comply with IATA/CFR.

Skills

Customer service

Written communication

Independent work

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Positive attitude

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration

Tools

CargoWise

Microsoft Office

Job description

Milestone Staffing Services

Air Freight Specialist (Houston, TX)

North Beltway - 2 Locations
Houston, TX 77060

Salary: 70,000.00 - 76,000.00 USD / YEAR

AIR EXPORT OPERATIONS / CUSTOMER SERVICE

Purpose of the Role

The ideal candidate will be responsible for reviewing and processing air export transactions for one or more major accounts. The candidate will also be responsible for ensuring that the company complies with all Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and all other applicable regulatory guidelines.

The ideal candidate must have excellent attention to detail and possess strong customer service skills .

Duties and Responsibilities

• Promote a positive relationship with the client by ensuring excellent, timely, and proactive customer service.
• Communicate with carriers, overseas agents, and customers via telephone and email.
• Take booking requests and respond to export customer service calls.
• Ensure current buying and selling rates are set up for every export shipment.
• Complete proper export documentation and send pre-alerts.
• Request required documents from the shipper, including:
  • Power of Attorney
  • Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Insurance Certificate
  • Shipper's Letter of Instruction (SLI)
• Check shipments in the warehouse as needed to ensure shipping documents correspond to the actual shipments.
• Create quotations for individual shipments, including estimated pricing for the shipper and selection of appropriate transportation companies.
• Review standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations, including TSA and ISO requirements .
• Receive, review, and process high-volume and/or complex export transactions for clients, including booking, documentation, and billing.
• Process data through the company's system and submit shipment information to various government agencies as required.
• Process bills of lading for outgoing shipments.
• Track and review shipping status to ensure timely departure and delivery of freight; enter milestone data as required.
• Ensure shipments containing hazardous materials are properly checked and processed in accordance with all applicable International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) requirements.

Skills & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• 3–4 years of relevant experience in the air freight forwarding industry, with a strong understanding of global trade lanes, airlines, and air freight solutions.
• Proven experience in customer service and managing key business clients.
• Experience negotiating rates with airlines.
• Familiarity with CargoWise is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint .
• Excellent written communication skills, particularly in crafting professional emails.
• Professional and positive demeanor.
• Ability to work independently.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Analytical problem-solving skills.
• Positive attitude and approach.

Working Conditions

• Normal office work environment, with occasional warehouse visitation.
• Occasional overtime requirements, at the discretion of the Operations Manager.
• Availability for out-of-hours calls and problem resolution.

Additional Requirements

• In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the postholder may be required to perform other duties assigned by the Vice President/CEO from time to time, subject to adequate experience and/or training.
• Participate in the annual performance appraisal and objective-setting process.
• Work in accordance with all company policies, including Health & Safety, Employment, Staff, Quality, and Environmental policies.
• During employment with the Company and at any time thereafter, all information relating to the affairs of the Company must be treated with the highest level of confidentiality.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the team member for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice, and may be altered in accordance with the changing requirements of the role and/or business needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans.