Director of Exports

Pinnacle Recruitment; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Pinnacle Recruitment partners with an established agricultural organization to hire an International Logistics & Operations Manager to lead export operations and fuel growth. You will bring deep experience in ocean freight, global distribution, and customs compliance, plus a proven record of leading teams and driving process improvements.

This senior role oversees shipments, negotiates with carriers, and coordinates with sales, production, and customer service to ensure fast, cost-efficient

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in international logistics, export operations, supply chain management, or related field.
• Strong knowledge of international shipping processes, freight forwarding, customs requirements, and export documentation.
• Experience negotiating with ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and transportation providers.
• Ability to manage complex logistics operations while maintaining service levels and controlling costs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee international logistics and export operations, ensuring efficient and timely movement of products to global markets.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the logistics and export operations team, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Manage relationships with ocean carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, transportation providers, and other logistics partners.
• Oversee ocean freight bookings, container availability, shipping schedules, port operations, and international transportation coordination.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve shipping efficiencies, reduce transportation costs, and strengthen overall operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with international trade regulations, export documentation requirements, and customs procedures.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including sales, operations, production, and customer service, to align logistics activities with business objectives.
• Negotiate freight rates, service agreements, and transportation contracts with logistics providers.
• Monitor key performance indicators related to freight costs, on-time shipments, operational efficiency, and customer service.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and operational scalability.
• Proactively address shipment delays, port congestion, carrier issues, and other international logistics challenges.
• Provide leadership with operational updates, performance reporting, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, International Business, or related

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are partnering with an established and growing organization in the agricultural industry seeking an experienced International Logistics & Operations Manager to lead international export operations and support continued business growth.

This is a senior-level leadership opportunity for an individual with extensive experience in international logistics, global distribution, and export operations. The ideal candidate will bring a strong understanding of ocean freight, international shipping regulations, carrier relationships, and supply chain management, along with demonstrated success leading teams and improving operational efficiencies.

This individual will play a critical role in overseeing international shipments, optimizing logistics processes, managing key relationships, and ensuring efficient product movement across global markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee international logistics and export operations, ensuring efficient and timely movement of products to global markets.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the logistics and export operations team, establishing clear performance expectations and accountability.
• Manage relationships with ocean carriers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, transportation providers, and other logistics partners.
• Oversee ocean freight bookings, container availability, shipping schedules, port operations, and international transportation coordination.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve shipping efficiencies, reduce transportation costs, and strengthen overall operational performance.
• Ensure compliance with international trade regulations, export documentation requirements, and customs procedures.
• Collaborate with internal departments, including sales, operations, production, and customer service, to align logistics activities with business objectives.
• Negotiate freight rates, service agreements, and transportation contracts with logistics providers.
• Monitor key performance indicators related to freight costs, on-time shipments, operational efficiency, and customer service.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and operational scalability.
• Proactively address shipment delays, port congestion, carrier issues, and other international logistics challenges.
• Provide leadership with operational updates, performance reporting, and recommendations to support strategic decision-making.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in international logistics, export operations, supply chain management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing international exports and ocean freight operations.
• Proven leadership experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong knowledge of international shipping processes, freight forwarding, customs requirements, and export documentation.
• Experience negotiating with ocean carriers, freight forwarders, and transportation providers.
• Ability to manage complex logistics operations while maintaining service levels and controlling costs.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience implementing process improvements and developing operational procedures.
• Proficiency with logistics management systems, ERP platforms, and Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within agriculture, fresh produce, food distribution, or other perishable commodity industries.
• Familiarity with refrigerated containers, cold-chain logistics, and temperature-sensitive shipments.
• Experience coordinating shipments through major West Coast ports, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Oakland, and Tacoma.
• Knowledge of international export markets, including Asia, Latin America, and other global destinations.
• Experience supporting organizational growth, operational expansion, or process transformation.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business Administration, International Business, or a related discipline.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a strategic, results-driven leader who combines extensive international logistics expertise with a hands-on approach to operations. The successful candidate will be comfortable managing a team, navigating complex international shipping challenges, and identifying opportunities to strengthen processes and support continued growth.

This opportunity is ideal for an experienced international logistics professional seeking a long-term leadership role with the ability to make a meaningful impact on a growing organization.