Freight Forwarder, Ocean Import

DSV - Global Transport and Logistics; Itasca (IL); On-site; USD 31,684 - 42,705; Full time

Job summary

DSV Air & Sea Inc. is seeking a Freight Forwarder, Ocean Import to manage import/export transactions, prepare bills of lading, and ensure regulatory compliance. The role involves close coordination with clients, third parties, and internal departments to maintain high service levels.

The position emphasizes attention to detail, strong communication, and the ability to handle hazardous materials following applicable regulations. Proficiency with MS Office and English is required.

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in a role involving extensive client contact.
• Familiarity with domestic and international geography including countries and major cities.
• Extreme attention to detail, including the ability to predict and circumvent issues before they occur and take the proper corrective action.
• Ability to be highly productive while keeping cool under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent math skills, with the ability to calculate freight measurements, weight, and convert them to international units.
• Computer skills, including frequent prior use of MS Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• English reading, writing, and verbal proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Promote positive relationships by ensuring excellent, timely, and proactive customer service at all times and in conjunction with other departments and third parties while monitoring the quality of service produced by the team.
• Receive, review, and process high-volume and/or complex import and export transactions for clients, including booking, billing, classifications, processing data through the Company’s system, and obtaining consular releases as well as other government agency releases as appropriate.
• Check shipments in the warehouse as needed to ensure that the shipping documents correspond to the actual shipments.
• Process bills of lading and provide clear instructions to the team for handling each shipment.
• Ensure shipments of hazardous materials are checked and processed in accordance with all applicable regulations under the applicable government agencies, Code of Federal Regulations.
• Create quotations for individual shipments, including estimating prices for the shipper, selecting transportation companies to use, and setting profit margins for individual shipments.
• Review and monitor all Shipper Export Declaration rejections, requests for information from clients and any government agency as well as other correspondence.
• Adhere to all domestic and international shipping regulations, communicating changes in domestic and foreign regulation procedures to clients, co‑workers, and third parties in a clear, concise, and timely manner.
• Identify transactions and tasks that require special handling, recommend improved processes to management, and implement resolutions within the assigned scope of responsibility.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve all areas of client concern in a timely and proactive manner by monitoring team performance against Company and client standards. Alert clients to special areas of concern or potential problems in the shipping process.

Skills

Client liaison

Geography knowledge

Attention to detail

Resilience under pressure

Excellent communication

Freight mathematics

MS Outlook

Excel

Word

English proficiency

Tools

MS Outlook

Excel

Word

Job description

Job Title: Freight Forwarder, Ocean Import

Location: USA – Itasca, N Arlington Heights Rd Itasca, IL

Division: Air & Sea

Time Type: Full Time

Responsibilities

• Promote positive relationships by ensuring excellent, timely, and proactive customer service at all times and in conjunction with other departments and third parties while monitoring the quality of service produced by the team. Establish detailed profiles and procedures that properly represent import and export processes.
• Receive, review, and process high-volume and/or complex import and export transactions for clients, including booking, billing, classifications, processing data through the Company’s system, and obtaining consular releases as well as other government agency releases as appropriate.
• Check shipments in the warehouse as needed to ensure that the shipping documents correspond to the actual shipments.
• Process bills of lading and provide clear instructions to the team for handling each shipment.
• Ensure shipments of hazardous materials are checked and processed in accordance with all applicable regulations under the applicable government agencies, Code of Federal Regulations.
• Create quotations for individual shipments, including estimating prices for the shipper, selecting transportation companies to use, and setting profit margins for individual shipments.
• Review and monitor all Shipper Export Declaration rejections, requests for information from clients and any government agency as well as other correspondence.
• Adhere to all domestic and international shipping regulations, communicating changes in domestic and foreign regulation procedures to clients, co‑workers, and third parties in a clear, concise, and timely manner.
• Identify transactions and tasks that require special handling, recommend improved processes to management, and implement resolutions within the assigned scope of responsibility.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve all areas of client concern in a timely and proactive manner by monitoring team performance against Company and client standards. Alert clients to special areas of concern or potential problems in the shipping process.

Required Qualifications

• Three years of experience in a role involving extensive client contact.
• Familiarity with domestic and international geography including countries and major cities.
• Extreme attention to detail, including the ability to predict and circumvent issues before they occur and take the proper corrective action.
• Ability to be highly productive while keeping cool under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent math skills, with the ability to calculate freight measurements, weight, and convert them to international units.
• Computer skills, including frequent prior use of MS Outlook, Excel, and Word.
• English reading, writing, and verbal proficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Freight forwarding experience.
• Prior use of CargoWise One.

Physical and Mental Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee uses hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk or hear. The employee uses computer and telephone equipment. The vision requirements include close vision and distance vision.

At-Will Employment

DSV Air & Sea Inc. employees are hired for an undefined period of time as “at will” employees. This means an employee may be terminated for any reason, or no reason at all, at any time, provided the discharge does not violate any law. Each employee has the right to terminate his/her employment at any time. Except if employed in Montana, where termination requires just cause.

Compensation

Base pay range is $22.50 – $30.50 per hour. Actual compensation will be determined based on job-related factors such as experience, skills, education, certifications, and geographic location, in accordance with applicable laws and company policy.

Benefits

Information regarding DSV’s benefits offerings, including eligibility, coverage options, and plan details, is available through the DSV Benefits Showcase. Benefits, programs, and eligibility may vary by location and division in accordance with applicable state and local laws.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DSV is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law. If you require special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment with DSV, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. DSV reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.