Ocean Export Agent

Openwork; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401k with employer match

Medical, Dental, Vision

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Life Insurance

HSA/HSA

LTD/STD/AD&D

Job summary

Openwork's Houston, TX office is hiring an Ocean Export Agent to manage international ocean shipments from booking to final departure, ensuring compliance with customer requirements and carrier regulations.

You will serve as the primary contact for customers, overseas offices, carriers, terminals, and internal teams, handling export documentation, bookings, tracking and issue resolution to meet schedules and service levels.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of ocean freight forwarding or international logistics experience.
• Experience handling ocean export shipments.
• Knowledge of ocean carrier operations, export documentation, Incoterms, and international shipping practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contact for customers, overseas offices, carriers, terminals, truckers, and internal stakeholders.
• Manage export documentation, booking coordination, shipment tracking, and problem resolution.
• Coordinate with warehouses, vendors, and partners to ensure timely cargo movement.
• Ensure compliance with FMC requirements, export control procedures, and company SOPs.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Multitasking

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

NOW HIRING: OCEAN EXPORT AGENT

POSITION: OCEAN EXPORT AGENT

LOCATION: HOUSTON, TX 77073

SHIFT HOURS:

• MONDAY - FRIDAY, OCCASIONAL WEEKEND AND OT TO MEET BUSINESS NEEDS.
• 9:00 AM -5:30 PM

Pay: $24.00-$25.00/hr

The Houston branch of Openwork has partnered with an international logistics company located in Houston to add an Ocean Export Agent to their growing team. If you have experience with international shipping and are seeking a long term career, we want to hear from you!

Position Summary

The Ocean Export Coordinator is responsible for managing international ocean export shipments from booking through final departure, ensuring compliance with customer requirements, carrier regulations, and company operating procedures.

What You'll Be Doing:

• The position serves as the primary point of contact for customers, overseas offices, carriers, terminals, truckers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate shipment execution.
• Duties include export documentation, booking management, customer service, shipment tracking, carrier coordination, and operational problem resolution.

Export Operations

• Coordinate ocean export shipments from origin to vessel departure.
• Manage freight bookings with ocean carriers and NVOCCs.
• Confirm sailing schedules, routing options, and equipment availability.
• Monitor shipment milestones and proactively address service disruptions.
• Coordinate with warehouses, truckers, terminals, and steamship lines to ensure timely cargo movement.

Export Documentation

• Prepare and review export documentation, including:
  • Bills of Lading
  • Commercial Invoices
  • Packing Lists
  • Export Declarations
  • Shipping Instructions
  • Certificates and supporting export documents
• Verify documentation accuracy and compliance with customer and destination-country requirements.
• Request, receive, and distribute shipment documents to internal and external parties.

Customer Service & Communication

• Serve as primary customer contact for assigned export accounts.
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding shipment status, documentation, and schedules.
• Provide shipment updates and resolve operational issues.
• Coordinate closely with overseas offices and agents regarding export requirements and destination handling.

Carrier & Vendor Management

• Interface with ocean carriers regarding bookings, equipment, schedules, and service issues.
• Escalate carrier capacity constraints and routing challenges when necessary.
• Maintain relationships with transportation providers and service partners.
• Evaluate alternative routing solutions to meet customer requirements.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure compliance with:
  • FMC requirements
  • Export control procedures
  • Security and trade compliance regulations
  • Company operating procedures
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining shipment documentation and records.
• Follow hazardous cargo and security requirements when applicable.

Operational Administration

• Maintain accurate shipment records in company operating systems.
• Track shipment KPIs and file management metrics.
• Assist with invoicing support, shipment closeout, and document retention.
• Participate in operational meetings, customer training activities, and process improvement initiatives.

What We're Looking For:

• 3+ years of ocean freight forwarding or international logistics experience.
• Experience handling ocean export shipments.
• Knowledge of:
  • Ocean carrier operation
  • Export documentation
  • Incoterms
  • International shipping practices
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred

• Freight forwarding industry experience.
• Knowledge of FMC regulations and export compliance requirements.
• Experience working with Japan trade lanes and overseas offices.
• Detail-oriented 7 customer-focused
• Strong organizational skills
• Problem-solving mindset
• Ability to work independently
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Sense of urgency in shipment execution
• Team collaboration

Performance Expectations

• Manage a high volume of export files and customer accounts.
• Maintain accurate and timely shipment documentation.
• Meet customer service expectations and shipment deadlines.
• Coordinate effectively with carriers, overseas offices, vendors, and internal departments.

BENEFITS IF HIRED PERMANENTLY:

• 401k with employer match
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off
• Holiday pay
• Life Insurance
• HSA/HSA
• LTD/STD/AD&D

Openwork is an Equal Opportunity Employer EOE