Import Specialist

JAS Forwarding (usa), Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

JAS Forwarding (USA), Inc. in Chicago, IL is seeking an Import Specialist to process air and ocean import shipments, ensure compliance with laws and company procedures, and provide service solutions that meet customer requirements.

You will handle documents, track bookings, communicate with customers and vendors, work with CargoWise, and support the team while meeting deadlines and maintaining accuracy.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' experience handling imports (air and/or ocean).
• Knowledge of US customs laws and ISF preferred.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and process import documents and ensure accuracy.
• Receive, track, and update shipment status; coordinate delivery and POD.
• Bill and invoice files with attention to payment terms.
• Provide responsive customer service and report on performance.
• Support sales and colleagues with quotes; maintain compliance with procedures.

Skills

Imports experience

US customs knowledge

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

CargoWise (C1)

Job description

JAS is an international, non-asset-based supply chain services and solutions company. Our services include air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage, distribution, inbound logistics, truckload brokerage and other supply chain management services, including consulting, the coordination of purchase orders and customized management services. The role of the Import Specialist is to process and handle air and ocean import shipments for our customers, ensuring the highest quality standards and providing service solutions that meet or exceed our customers' requirements. An Import Specialist must ensure compliance with laws and regulations, as well as JAS Forwarding operating procedures. Within some JAS locations, this position may also be responsible for the completion of all custom house broker transactions and other government agency regulations in a timely manner.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prepare, review and process appropriate documents (i.e. customers classification, commercials invoices, etc.) ensuring files contain all necessary copies, are accurate and in the proper sequence
• Receive and track customer bookings/shipments, update client of shipment status/delays, dispatch for delivery, collect proof of delivery (POD), cost and invoice all files
• Comply with all company business process guidelines
• Bill/Invoice each file to the respective customers paying close attention to payment terms for the responsible party
• Resolve and reconcile incorrect payables by working with vendors and overseas offices
• Assist sales, department manager(s) and colleagues in compiling quotes
• Provide accurate job costing forecasts ensuring all payables, receivables and accruals are set and properly managed per company rules and guidelines
• Provide responsive customer service
• Dispatch freight for delivery, maintain communication with trucker throughout delivery
• Ability to recognize any changes in customers shipping down trends and report to Management
• Ability to be cross trained and act as a back-up for any member of the team if necessary
• To report on customer performance and identify any change in support
• Promote compliance across the department/section
• Ability to work through problems, but also recognize issues that may need to be communicated/escalated to management
• Ensure all timely correspondence to customers
• Other duties as requested

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 3 years' experience handling imports (air and/or ocean) or combination of education and expertise required
• Experience and knowledge regarding imports, compliance, rules and regulations preferred
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent Communication skills
• Flexibility
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office suite a plus
• Detail oriented, able to multitask and meet deadlines
• Able to work in a team and independently
• Knowledge of US customs laws, practices and procedures

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High School Diploma is a plus or GED required
• Experience working in CargoWise (C1) is preferred
• Experience handling the full life cycle of imports (air and/or ocean) or combination of education and expertise required
• Experience and knowledge regarding import, compliance, rules and regulations preferred
• Knowledge of Importer Security Filing (ISF) preferred
• Good working knowledge of Incoterms required

ENVIRONMENT

100% performed in climate-controlled internal office environment working under normal office conditions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands and finger to feel and handle; reach with arms and hands; talk and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, and crouch; lift weight or exert a force up to a maximum of 25 pounds.

ADDITIONAL

• Follow the Company HR Policy, the Code of Business Conduct and department policies and procedures, including protecting confidential company information, attending work punctually and regularly, and following good safety practices in all activities.
• The responsibilities associated with this job will change from time to time in accordance with the Company's business needs. More specifically, the incumbent may be required to perform additional and/or different responsibilities from those set forth above.
• The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job.

In accordance with Illinois pay transparency laws, the hourly pay range for this position is $28.85-30/hourly. This range reflects the base salary or wage, which may vary based upon, but not limited to factors such as education, experience, skills, proficiency, job performance, shift and location. In addition to base salary, depending on the role, the total compensation package may also include participation in a bonus, commission or incentive program

JAS Forwarding (USA), Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Where required by state law and/or city ordinance; this employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.