Ocean Import Coordinator

GFS - Global Freight Services; Bensenville (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

PTO

Company holidays

Job summary

Global Freight Services is seeking an Ocean Import Coordinator to manage end-to-end ocean import shipments from inquiry to invoicing. This role focuses on China trade lanes, coordinating FCL/LCL and air shipments as needed, and serving as a single point of contact for customers and internal teams.

You will maintain documentation in CargoWise, negotiate rates, support pricing, and ensure timely execution while delivering high-quality customer service and accurate billing.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of freight forwarding and/or import operations experience.
• Experience managing ocean imports (FCL/LCL) and air imports is a plus.
• Experience supporting China trade lanes preferred.
• CargoWise experience preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook.
• Strong customer service and key account management skills with effective communication with customers, carriers, overseas agents, and internal teams.
• Experience negotiating rates and preparing customer quotations.
• Strong organizational, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Import Operations & Documentation: manage shipments from inquiries through invoicing.
• Coordinate ocean import shipments (FCL/LCL) and air imports as needed.
• Enter and maintain accurate shipment data in CargoWise and other systems.
• Create and process required import documentation (arrival notices, delivery orders, invoices).
• Communicate with overseas agents, carriers, customs brokers, truckers, and warehouses to coordinate movement.
• Monitor milestones, verify arrivals, and resolve delays or exceptions.
• Pricing, Carrier & Vendor Management: negotiate rates and prepare quotations.
• Coordinate bookings, inbound arrival information, and delivery requirements with carriers and vendors.
• Billing & Financial Coordination: ensure accurate billing and finalize invoices; support accounts payable questions.

Skills

Customer service

Key account management

Communication

Organization

Time management

Problem solving

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Tools

CargoWise

Excel

Outlook

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you a movement maker? Are you seeking new and exciting career opportunities?

Here is what you need to know about the job:

About Global Freight Services

Global Freight Services (GFS), an affiliate of Li & Fung, is a leading global freight forwarder providing ocean, air, and intermodal transportation services. With a worldwide network and strong partnerships, we deliver integrated, scalable, and cost-efficient logistics solutions, including CFS warehousing, customs brokerage, vendor management, and control tower services. Our experienced team ensures your goods move seamlessly from factory to final destination. Learn more at www.gfsmanagement.com

Position Summary

The Ocean Import Coordinator is responsible for managing ocean import shipments from initial customer inquiry and quotation through final delivery, billing, and invoicing. This role serves as a key point of contact for customers and internal partners, ensuring accurate documentation, timely shipment execution, and a high level of customer service throughout the import process.

The Ocean Import Coordinator is responsible for the end-to-end coordination of import shipments, with approximately 95% focused on ocean imports (FCL & LCL) and 5% on air imports. The role will also support key account management, pricing, carrier coordination, and customer relationship management, with a primary focus on China trade lanes.

Key Roles And Responsibilities

• Import Operations & Documentation
• Manage import shipments from A-Z, from initial customer inquiries and quotations through shipment tracking, delivery, billing, and final invoicing.
• Coordinate ocean import shipments, including FCL and LCL cargo, and air import shipments as required.
• Enter and maintain accurate shipment information and documentation in CargoWise and other applicable systems.
• Create and process required import documentation, including arrival notices, delivery orders, invoices, and file settlement documentation.
• Communicate with overseas agents, carriers, customs brokers, truckers, warehouses, and other service providers to coordinate shipment movement and resolve issues.
• Monitor shipment milestones, verify arrival and cargo availability, and proactively identify and resolve delays or exceptions.
• Customer Service & Key Account Management
• Serve as a primary point of contact for assigned customers, providing timely shipment updates and responding to operational questions and requests.
• Manage key account requirements in accordance with customer Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and service expectations.
• Provide shipment tracking reports and proactive communication regarding shipment status, exceptions, and delivery timelines.
• Partner with internal teams to resolve customer issues and maintain a high level of client satisfaction.
• Pricing, Carrier & Vendor Management
• Negotiate ocean freight rates and related charges with shipping lines and other service providers.
• Prepare and provide customer quotations based on routing, service requirements, and current market pricing.
• Coordinate with carriers and vendors to confirm bookings, inbound arrival information, shipment availability, and delivery requirements.
• Maintain awareness of market conditions and available service options to support competitive pricing and reliable execution.
• Billing & Financial Coordination
• Responsible for customer billing and final invoicing for assigned shipments and accounts.
• Review shipment files and vendor charges for accuracy and completeness prior to file settlement.
• Coordinate with Accounting on accounts payable items, invoice questions, and other shipment-related financial matters.
• Ensure files are completed and closed accurately and in a timely manner.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3 years of freight forwarding and/or import operations experience.
• Strong hands-on experience managing ocean imports, including FCL and LCL shipments. Experience with air imports is a plus.
• Experience supporting China trade lanes preferred.
• CargoWise experience preferred. Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and Outlook.
• Strong customer service and key account management skills with the ability to communicate effectively with customers, carriers, overseas agents, and internal teams.
• Experience negotiating rates with shipping lines, developing pricing, and preparing customer quotations.
• Strong organizational, time management, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Compensation/Benefits

• The approximate annual base salary range for this position is $50,000.00 - $54,000.00, which can vary based on role requirements, skill set, and years of experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, and company holidays.

#gfs

As an equal opportunity employer, we shall consider all applicants regardless of gender, age, religion, marital status, race, sexual orientation, disability, disease, pregnancy, or trade union and/or political affiliation, and disregard all factors deemed inappropriate by local law and the International Labor Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.