Air Import Operations Manager

DHL Global Forwarding; Hebron Estates (KY); On-site; USD 93,142 - 124,190; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensation: base plus incentives

401(k) Match

Stock Purchase Plan

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding in Hebron, Kentucky, seeks an Air Import Operations Manager to lead and coordinate airborne import processes, ensuring timely delivery, billing readiness, and file closure. You will oversee a team of coordinators, optimize dispatch, and manage capacity with warehouse and carrier partners.

The role requires 5+ years in air freight import, 3+ years of leadership, and strong knowledge of US import operations, with CargoWise experience preferred.

Qualifications

• 5+ years Air Freight Import experience required; strategic customer experience preferred.
• 3+ years leadership experience required.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. air import operations, dispatch, customs coordination, POD, billing readiness, and file closure.
• Experience in control tower, key account, or customer operations environments preferred.
• CargoWise experience required or strongly preferred; customer visibility tools and TMS workflows are a plus.
• Proven ability to manage onsite and remote coordinator teams with accountability and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Air Import operations from pre-alert through delivery and file closure.
• Manage team workload, coaching, training, performance, and daily priorities.
• Monitor shipments, milestones, exceptions, escalations, and service risks.
• Oversee dispatch planning, carrier/driver assignment, and delivery execution.
• Handle same-day changes, re-deliveries, and final-mile exceptions.
• Collaborate with warehouse leadership and providers to mitigate bottlenecks.
• Maintain relationships with carriers and third-party warehouses for issue resolution.
• Act as primary liaison between Operations and Program Management; drive resolutions.
• Respond to customer inquiries with urgency and clear communication.
• Lead performance routines: status, SLA, customs actions, billing readiness, RCCA.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to meet service and compliance standards.
• Promote customer focus, compliance, continuous improvement, and discipline.

Skills

Air freight import experience

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Customer service

Education

Bachelor/Equivalent preferred

Tools

Cargowise

TMS workflows

Job description

Job Title: Air Import Operations Manager

Location: Hebron, Kentucky

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) manages the flow of goods and information across a customer's global supply chain utilizing air/ocean/ground transportation, customs brokerage services, and dedicated warehousing/distribution centers. We are part of Deutsche Post DHL, the world's leading logistics provider with operations in over 220 countries. Visit our career site on the web at https://www.logistics.dhl/us-en/home/careers.html.

We have an exciting opportunity for an Air Import Operations Import Manager. In this role you will manage and coordinate the activities of employees engaged in air import and customs brokerage operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end Air Import operations from pre-alert through delivery, POD, billing readiness, and file closure.
• Manage team workload, coaching, training, performance, and daily operational priorities.
• Monitor shipments, milestones, exceptions, escalations, and service risks through resolution.
• Oversee dispatch planning, carrier/driver assignment, appointment coordination, and delivery execution.
• Manage same-day changes, re-deliveries, driver delays, detention risk, site access issues, and final-mile exceptions.
• Proactively monitor and address capacity constraints by collaborating with warehouse leadership, transportation providers, and internal teams to mitigate bottlenecks.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with carriers and third-party warehouse providers to support operational efficiency and issue resolution.
• Serve as the primary point of contact and liaison between Operations and Program Management, facilitating communication, aligning priorities, providing operational updates, and driving resolution of customer and service-related issues.
• Respond to customer inquiries and escalations with urgency, ownership, and clear communication.
• Lead performance routines covering shipment status, SLA performance, customs actions, delivery risks, aged files, billing readiness, and RCCA items.
• Partner with warehouse, carrier, brokerage, security, and control tower teams to meet service and compliance standards.
• Promote customer focus, compliance, continuous improvement, and operational discipline.

Skills / Requirements

• 5+ years Air Freight Import experience required; strategic customer experience preferred.
• 3+ years leadership experience required.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. air import operations, dispatch, customs coordination, POD, billing readiness, and file closure.
• Experience in control tower, key account, or customer operations environments preferred.
• CargoWise experience required or strongly preferred; customer visibility tools and TMS workflows are a plus.
• Proven ability to manage and lead both onsite and remote coordinator teams, driving engagement, accountability, performance, and consistent execution across geographically dispersed workgroups.
• Strong dispatch knowledge, including carrier assignment, appointment coordination, driver communication, accessorials, and final-mile escalations.
• Experience with high-value, technology, DG / Hazmat, security-sensitive, or time-critical freight is a plus.
• Working knowledge of P&L, cost control, billing accuracy, and productivity is a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and performance reporting tools.
• Strong leadership, communication, customer service, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Strong problem-solving, root cause analysis, urgency, flexibility, and continuous improvement mindset.

Pay Range: $93,142.50 - $124,190.00+ (Based on Experience)

Benefits (All Non-Union Employees)

• Compensation: Competitive base salary plus role dependent performance-based incentives.
• 401(k) Match: $1-for-$1 match up to 4% quarterly + 2% annual base contribution.
• Stock Purchase Plan: Ability to purchase Deutsche Post AG shares at a discounted rate.
• Medical: Comprehensive plans covering preventive care, inpatient/outpatient services, and prescriptions.
• Vision: Optional coverage for exams, frames, and contacts.
• Dental: Optional coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
• Paid Time Off: 7 major holidays, 8 floating holidays, and accrued vacation/sick days.

Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?

At DHL Global Forwarding, we invest in our employees' growth, providing training, guidance, and career advancement opportunities. We believe in building careers, not just jobs, and empowering our team to develop skills and achieve long-term success.

Be part of DHL Group, the world's leading logistics provider, operating in 220+ countries. DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is a global leader in air and ocean freight, with 30,000+ employees ensuring seamless transport and supply chain solutions. Explore careers with us: DHL Careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to equal employment opportunities, evaluating all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.