Apparel Import Coordinator

Bentex; New York (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Bentex is seeking an Import Coordinator in New York to manage end-to-end inbound shipments from overseas factories to customers. You will proactively track shipments, manage bookings, and document flows while escalating risks before delays occur.

You'll coordinate with factories, freight forwarders, sales, and customer service to ensure on-time, accurate order fulfillment and data integrity across ERP and booking systems.

Qualifications

• Three+ years in import coordination, logistics or supply chain (FOB/overseas).
• Strong attention to detail; catch discrepancies in factory communications.
• Comfortable pushing back on vendors and escalating issues when needed.

Responsibilities

• Track deliveries from overseas factories through arrival and monitor delays.
• Create and manage shipment bookings; ensure accuracy of booking info.
• Review factory changes (dates, quantities, packing) for acceptability.
• Coordinate with Walmart's supply chain team to resolve POs and enable shipping.
• Keep sales and customer service informed of shipment status and risks.
• Maintain accurate records across ERP and booking systems.

Skills

Attention to detail

Cross-functional comms

Supply chain coordination

Vendor escalation

Tools

ERP systems

Shipment booking systems

Job description

The Import Coordinator manages the flow of goods from overseas factories through to on-time delivery to customers. This role is highly proactive — tracking shipments, catching unannounced changes from factories, managing bookings and documentation, and escalating risks before they become missed deliveries. The Import Coordinator serves as the critical link between factories, freight forwarders, sales, customer service, and management, ensuring smooth, on-time, and accurate order fulfillment.

Key Responsibilities

Shipment & Booking Management

• Track deliveries from overseas factories from order placement through arrival, proactively monitoring for delays
• Create and manage shipment bookings in the system; ensure all booking information is accurate and complete
• Monitor for changes made by factories (e.g., ship dates, quantities, packing details) that are not proactively communicated; review and confirm whether changes are acceptable
• Ensure factories follow proper procedure for timely document submission and booking close-out
• Coordinate with Walmart's supply chain team to resolve/lift flags on POs, enabling routing and shipping to proceed without delay

On-Time Delivery & Escalation

• Confirm that shipment timing will support required customer delivery dates
• When timing is at risk, push back on factories to expedite, or escalat to VP for approval on alternate solutions (e.g., air freight, cost increases)
• Determine when a shipment needs to be converted to air freight and coordinate air bookings with forwarders/vendors overseas
• For FOB shipments, coordinate directly with overseas forwarders on vessel options, container bookings, and freight rates

Cross-Functional Communication

• Keep sales and customer service teams informed of shipment status, particularly on tight or at-risk deliveries
• Discuss delivery risk and options directly with sales/customer service to align on next steps
• Provide customer service with approximate carton/item dimensions early in the item setup phase to support planning

Systems & Data Integrity

• Maintain fully accurate and up-to-date records across internal systems (ERP, booking systems, etc.)
• Identify and clear system errors on a regular/ongoing basis
• Ensure documentation and data align across all systems involved in the import process

Quality & Claims

• Investigate cases of damaged or wet cartons upon arrival to determine the responsible party (factory, carrier, forwarder, etc.)
• Document findings to support claims or corrective action with the responsible vendor/carrier

Qualifications

Required:

• 3+ years of experience in import coordination, logistics, or supply chain, ideally with FOB/overseas factory experience
• Working knowledge of shipment booking systems, ERP systems, and import documentation
• Strong attention to detail — able to catch discrepancies or unflagged changes in factory communications
• Comfortable pushing back on vendors/factories and escalating issues when needed
• Strong cross-functional communication skills (sales, customer service, management)
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities simultaneously under deadline pressure

Preferred:

• Experience with air freight vs. ocean freight decision-making
• Experience with FOB vessel/container booking coordination
• Experience working with retailer supply chain portals (e.g., Walmart)