Ocean Import Coordinator

ISEE Career Solutions, Inc.; Wood Dale (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Yamato is seeking an experienced Ocean Import Operations specialist to manage day-to-day shipments from arrival to delivery. The role emphasizes high-quality customer service, proactive status updates, and cross-functional coordination with carriers, warehouses, and brokers.

Ideal candidates will have 3+ years in ocean imports, strong FCL/LCL knowledge, and the ability to handle complex shipments while maintaining accurate billing and documentation.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of ocean import/logistics experience with strong FCL/LCL knowledge.
• Experience coordinating FTL/LTL, flatbed, specialized, rail/intermodal transportation.
• Hands‑on experience managing shipments from arrival through final delivery and billing.
• Experience with project/heavy cargo, machinery, steel, or specialized freight preferred.
• Strong customer service, communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple shipments independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and logistics/transportation systems.
• Experience with international freight forwarders or NVOCCs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality customer service for ocean import shipments.
• Monitor shipment status from arrival through final delivery and provide timely, proactive updates to customers.
• Coordinate FCL and LCL import shipments.
• Arrange and dispatch drayage, FTL, LTL, flatbed, and other inland transportation.
• Coordinate project cargo and other non-standard or operationally complex shipments.
• Communicate with ocean carriers, truckers, warehouses, customs brokers, overseas offices, and customers.
• Monitor vessel arrival, container availability, free time, appointments, and delivery schedules.
• Identify potential delays or operational issues and take appropriate action before they impact the customer.
• Follow up on exceptions and ensure issues are resolved through completion.
• Prepare and process billing accurately and on time.
• Review vendor charges and confirm transportation and accessorial costs.
• Maintain accurate shipment records and supporting documentation.
• Support consistent operating procedures and help improve day-to-day workflow within the department.
• Assist team members with operational questions and complex shipment coordination when needed.

Job description

The Company is a leading global logistics and transportation company. Established in the U.S. in 1980, the company provides comprehensive logistics solutions including freight forwarding, international parcel delivery, supply chain management, customs brokerage, e-commerce logistics, and international moving services. With an extensive U.S. and global network, Yamato supports businesses across industries such as automotive, e-commerce, medical/pharmaceutical, and time- and temperature-sensitive products.

Position Overview

The primary responsibilities of this position are customer service, shipment tracking and follow-up, dispatch coordination, and billing for ocean import shipments. The company is looking for an experienced professional who can independently manage day-to-day ocean import operations, handle complex transportation needs, and serve as a reliable point of reference within the team.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality customer service for ocean import shipments
• Monitor shipment status from arrival through final delivery and provide timely, proactive updates to customers
• Coordinate FCL and LCL import shipments
• Arrange and dispatch drayage, FTL, LTL, flatbed, and other inland transportation
• Coordinate project cargo and other non-standard or operationally complex shipments
• Communicate with ocean carriers, truckers, warehouses, customs brokers, overseas offices, and customers
• Monitor vessel arrival, container availability, free time, appointments, and delivery schedules
• Identify potential delays or operational issues and take appropriate action before they impact the customer
• Follow up on exceptions and ensure issues are resolved through completion
• Prepare and process billing accurately and on time
• Review vendor charges and confirm transportation and accessorial costs
• Maintain accurate shipment records and supporting documentation
• Support consistent operating procedures and help improve day-to-day workflow within the department
• Assist team members with operational questions and complex shipment coordination when needed

Requirements

• 3+ years of ocean import/logistics experience with strong FCL/LCL knowledge
• Experience coordinating FTL/LTL, flatbed, specialized, rail/intermodal transportation
• Hands‑on experience managing shipments from arrival through final delivery and billing
• Experience with project/heavy cargo, machinery, steel, or specialized freight preferred
• Strong customer service, communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple shipments independently with minimal supervision
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and logistics/transportation systems
• Experience with international freight forwarders or NVOCCs preferred