Lead Ocean Freight Operations Manager

tollgroup; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Toll Group in the United States is seeking an experienced Ocean Freight Operations Manager to lead end-to-end import/export shipments, booking, documentation, and dispatch for complex cargo. You will coordinate with shipping lines, customs brokers, and depots to ensure compliant, on-time delivery while reviewing bills of lading, invoices, and regulatory paperwork.

Strong communication and cost-management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years' experience in ocean freight operations, including import, export, and domestic transportation activities.
• Experience managing complex supply chain solutions, including containerized freight, transloading, warehousing, and specialized cargo movements.
• Experience managing flexitank shipments, tank containers, beverage logistics, wine logistics, or other specialized ocean freight solutions is strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of ocean transportation, customs regulations, carrier requirements, documentation, and operational risk management.
• Familiarity with freight management systems and Microsoft Office.
• Strong organisational and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and compliance.
• Team player with a proactive and customer-focused approach.
• Willingness to learn and take on varied operational tasks.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end ocean freight operations for import/export, including booking, documentation, and dispatch for high-value or complex shipments.
• Act as the primary point of escalation for operational issues, ensuring timely resolution and customer satisfaction.
• Liaise with shipping lines, customs brokers, transport providers, flexitank suppliers, depots, warehouses, and other service providers to ensure efficient cargo movement and regulatory compliance across containerized freight and specialized transportation solutions.
• Review and approve critical documentation such as bills of lading, customs declarations, and regulatory paperwork.
• Monitor shipment milestones, proactively identify risks, and communicate delays or disruptions to customers and stakeholders with solutions.
• Coordinate and optimize end-to-end transportation solutions, including containerized freight, flexitank shipments, tank container movements, warehousing, transloading, and domestic transportation.
• Oversee job management including WIPS, accruals, cost control, and timely closures; ensure financial accuracy and compliance.
• Validate and approve customer invoices, reports, and creditor payments; identify opportunities for cost optimization and margin improvement.
• Maintain accurate shipment records and ensure timely updates in internal systems (e.g., CargoWise One).
• Ensure adherence to customs, quarantine, and maritime regulations; provide guidance on compliance matters.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships through proactive communication and service excellence.
• Contribute to process improvement initiatives, system enhancements, and operational best practices.
• Mentor and support junior coordinators, fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Demonstrate commercial awareness by analysing job profitability and supporting strategic decisions to enhance financial performance.
• Provide operational oversight and risk management for specialized transportation solutions, including flexitank and tank container shipments.

Skills

Ocean freight operations

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Team player

Willingness to learn

Adaptability

Customer focus

Problem solving

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Toll Group in the United States is seeking an experienced Ocean Freight Operations Manager to lead end-to-end import/export shipments, booking, documentation, and dispatch for complex cargo. You will coordinate with shipping lines, customs brokers, and depots to ensure compliant, on-time delivery while reviewing bills of lading, invoices, and regulatory paperwork.

Strong communication and cost-management skills are essential.