Ocean Export Representative

Laufer Group International Ltd; Kent (WA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision benefits

401(k) retirement plan

PTO after year 5 (4+ weeks)

Employee Assistance Program

Giveback program

Job summary

Laufer Group International Ltd. is a global logistics provider seeking a pricing, quoting and booking specialist to join its U.S. operations in the transportation team.

You will work with clients and carriers to quote, book, and coordinate ocean shipments, ensuring accurate rates, schedules, and compliance within a fast-paced environment. This role emphasizes negotiating with agents, reviewing tariffs, and using Laufer's systems (AS400) to create bookings and notifications.

Qualifications

• 1 year preferred in pricing, quoting and booking in transportation/supply chain.
• Strong geographical awareness for routing international cargo.
• Understanding of ocean carrier services, pricing and contracts.
• Ability to negotiate with agents, carriers and vendors for service and pricing.
• Experience in fast-paced, deadline-driven teams.
• Proficient computing and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Understand shipment specs and reference cost management tool for rates.
• Obtain pricing from pricing department and create quotes.
• Review quotes before contracting carriers and file rates with FMC.
• Book with ocean carriers and track important dates (departure, arrival, cutoffs).
• Create bookings in AS400 and notify clients via confirmation.
• Coordinate trucking when needed and verify booking details against carrier data.
• Cross-check information to identify booking discrepancies.

Skills

Pricing & quotes

Booking

Ocean shipping

Carrier negotiations

AS400 familiarity

Geographic routing

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

AS400

Job description

Company

Headquartered in New York withanother 7 offices in the United States and dedicated partners strategically located throughout the world, Laufer Group International has the expertise, resources, and market knowledge to provide customers with true global logistics solutions. Laufer has an established logistics and service solution that provides customers with improved shipping flexibility, enhanced operational control, and exceptional customer service. Each customer has access to a customized logistics platform providing air freight and ocean services, logistics, customs brokerage, and purchase order and export management.

Laufer is a different type of logistics company. We strive to make our industry more progressive. We challenge conventional ways of doing business by developing innovative and customized supply chain solutions. We help our customers break away from yesterday's business model to succeed in today's world.

Responsibilities:

• Communicates with the client to understand shipment specifications, refers to the cost management tool, Cargosphere, for ocean carrier's rates, identifies the routing, validity, and commodity when selecting carrier and cost
• Communicates with pricing department to get appropriate rates
• Creates a quote in Laufer's quote systems, emails quote and requests feedback from client
• Reviews quotes prior to a vendor (carrier, trucker, etc.) being contracted and reviews the tariff once a quote is approved by the customer (or agent for overseas routed consignments), to ensure a corresponding rate is filed with the FMC
• Books with the ocean carrier and make sure to get important dates; (earliest return, latest return, cuff off dates, date of departure, and expected arrival date), Create booking in AS400 and send confirmation to client though AS400
• Be aware of several important dates as part of the booking confirmation process: Port/rail, VGM, Doc & AES all have cut off dates that if missed will impact the movement of consignments
• Cross reference information to identify any discrepancies in the booking process
• Arrange for trucking if required

Qualifications:

A booking position at the company requires a specific skill set. Below is a list of skills minimally required to execute the requirements/expectations:

• Preferred up to 1 year of professional experience within pricing, quoting and booking in the transportation/supply chain field
• Strong geographical awareness and experience routing international cargo
• Understanding of ocean carrier services and operations (including carrier partnerships/alliances)
• Understanding of international transportation pricing practices and associated administration
• Ability and experience negotiating with agents, carriers and domestic vendors to secure desired service and pricing
• Ability to read and understand ocean carrier contracts
• Ability to provide support and guidance to agents, clients, sales people in regard to routing/pricing
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret foreign language to English translation (If necessary but unlikely)
• Understanding of industry used terminology
• Experience working in a fast paced, team oriented, deadline driven department
• Problem solving experience and confidence to challenge status quo
• Computer literacy and strong organizational, interpersonal, and presentation skills

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits with company cost-sharing
• Health Savings Account medical benefit option with a company contribution to the health savings account
• No cost Medical Bridge Program to assist with costs that may be attributable to the plan deductible
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• No cost Short-term disability, Long-term disability, Life, and AD'D insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a generous company match
• Paid Time Off (over 4 weeks of PTO by year 5 with Laufer)
• No cost Employee Assistance Plan to assist with emotional well-being, family and relationships, legal and financial matters, and more
• Employee Recognition Program
• Giveback Program – each employee is given $500/year to donate to a charity (Laufer has donated over $1 million!!!)

Salary range: Up to $65,000 depending on experience.