Ocean Freight Manager

DHL Global Forwarding; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 93,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary + incentives

401(k) Match

Stock Purchase Plan

Medical coverage

Vision coverage

Dental coverage

Paid time off

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding in Houston, TX is seeking an Ocean Freight Manager to lead a team of freight forwarding professionals and drive a culture of growth, innovation, and solutions-oriented thinking. You will own the performance of the logistics operation, customer service, and billing, ensuring profitability while upholding DHL standards.

With a strategic mindset, you will implement initiatives that enhance customer experience, negotiate with carriers, and align operations with P/L targets.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the freight forwarding industry, including at least 4 years of leadership experience in Ocean Freight operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of freight forwarding professionals, promoting engagement and growth.
• Drive a transformation from data entry to proactive, solution‑oriented operations.
• Align team goals to P/L excellence with clear ownership.
• Negotiate with suppliers and shipping carriers to optimize costs.
• Ensure accurate invoices, bills of lading, shipping statements, and currency conversions.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Strategic thinking

Customer focus

Communication

Finance awareness

Vendor negotiations

Microsoft Office

Presentation skills

Bachelor's degree

Education

Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in related field

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

Job Title: Ocean Freight Manager

Job Location: Houston, TX

Join our team as an Ocean Freight Manager and embark on an exciting journey as a transformational leader. In this role, you will motivate and inspire a team of freight forwarding professionals, fostering a culture of enthusiasm, innovation, and solutions-oriented thinking. With your visionary leadership, you will think outside the box and drive strategic initiatives, working closely with the National Operations team to achieve exceptional results.

As the Ocean Freight Manager, you will have full responsibility for all aspects of our logistics operation, customer service, customs clearance, and billing. Your strategic mindset will be crucial in ensuring the profitability of the logistics operation, while also positioning us as the Employer of Choice in the industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and develop a strong team of freight forwarding professionals, creating an environment that promotes employee engagement and growth
• Drive the transformation of the team from a data entry focus to a proactive and solution-oriented approach
• Foster a finance-first mindset, connecting the dots between P/L and file level performance
• Align team goals to P/L excellence, including clear P/L ownership
• Initiate and drive initiatives to enhance customer experience and satisfaction
• Cultivate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
• Monitor service quality and customer satisfaction levels, collaborating with Field Sales and Key Account Management to visit clients and prospects
• Implement a process-oriented approach to ensure reliable and consistent customer service
• Establish, monitor, and revise policies, procedures, and service standards to ensure compliance with DHL corporate policies and government regulations
• Lead negotiations with external suppliers to effectively manage costs and drive efficiencies
• Oversee the negotiation and issuance of buying rate quotations with shipping carriers
• Manage business processes to ensure accuracy in invoices, bills of lading, shipping statements, and foreign currency conversions

Skills / Requirements

• Proven track record of developing, coaching, and mentoring staff to achieve exceptional results
• Success in leading teams through a transition to prioritize customer-centricity and adopt a finance-first mindset
• Demonstrated strategic, transformational, and visionary mindset
• Proactive drive to challenge existing practices and consistently identify opportunities for continuous improvement, aiming to optimize customer satisfaction and enhance profitability
• Strong leadership abilities, including driving KPIs, fostering employee engagement, team building, and inspiring a visionary culture
• Business acumen and commercial drive, with a keen eye for strategic opportunities and growth
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to deliver impactful presentations and effectively convey strategic vision
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, to facilitate strategic analysis and communication
• Preferred bachelor's degree (BA/BS) demonstrating a strong educational foundation
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the freight forwarding industry, including at least 4 years of leadership experience in Ocean Freight operations.
• Knowledge of the CargoWise system is advantageous, enabling strategic decision-making and operational efficiency

Pay Range: $93,142.50 - $124,190.00+ (Based on Experience)

Benefits (All Non-Union Employees)

• Compensation: Competitive base salary plus role dependent performance-based incentives.
• 401(k) Match: $1-for-$1 match up to 4% quarterly + 2% annual base contribution.
• Stock Purchase Plan: Ability to purchase Deutsche Post AG shares at a discounted rate.
• Medical: Comprehensive plans covering preventive care, inpatient/outpatient services, and prescriptions.
• Vision: Optional coverage for exams, frames, and contacts.
• Dental: Optional coverage for preventive, basic, and major services.
• Paid Time Off: 7 major holidays, 8 floating holidays, and accrued vacation/sick days.

Why Join DHL Global Forwarding?

At DHL Global Forwarding, we invest in our employees' growth, providing training, guidance, and career advancement opportunities. We believe in building careers, not just jobs, and empowering our team to develop skills and achieve long-term success.

Be part of DHL Group, the world's leading logistics provider, operating in 220+ countries. DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is a global leader in air and ocean freight, with 30,000+ employees ensuring seamless transport and supply chain solutions. Explore careers with us: DHL Careers.

Equal Opportunity Employer

DHL Global Forwarding is committed to equal employment opportunities, evaluating all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.