Ocean Import Operations Coordinator – Freight Forwarding Experience Required (On-Site)

NOVA WORLD INTERNATIONAL, LLC DBA: NOVA SHIPPING; West Bloomfield Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Nova World International, Nova Shipping is seeking an Ocean Import Operations Coordinator to join our West Bloomfield Township, Michigan team. This on-site role requires hands-on ocean import experience and the ability to manage shipments from origin to final delivery, coordinating with carriers, brokers, and internal teams.

You will monitor schedules, prepare documentation, and communicate updates to customers while supporting process improvements in a fast-paced logistics environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years hands-on ocean freight forwarding operations experience.
• Direct experience coordinating ocean import shipments into the United States.
• Strong understanding of ocean freight processes, terminology, and import documentation.
• Familiarity with US customs clearance processes and working with customs brokers.
• Experience coordinating container releases, drayage, rail transportation, and final delivery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Outlook and Excel.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate ocean import shipments from origin through final delivery.
• Monitor vessel schedules, arrivals, customs clearance, container availability, and delivery status.
• Coordinate with ocean carriers, terminals, customs brokers, truckers, warehouses, and overseas agents.
• Arrange port, rail, warehouse, and final-mile deliveries as required.
• Provide customers with timely and accurate shipment updates.
• Prepare, review, and maintain bills of lading, arrival notices, delivery orders, and other import documentation.
• Monitor free time, demurrage, detention, storage, and other time-sensitive shipment requirements.
• Identify and resolve operational issues, delays, documentation discrepancies, and delivery challenges.
• Maintain accurate shipment information and documentation within the company's logistics platform.
• Review carrier and vendor charges for accuracy and support the invoicing process.
• Maintain organized shipment records and ensure operational milestones are completed on time.
• Communicate proactively with customers and internal teams regarding exceptions or potential delays.
• Support continuous improvement of import processes and operational procedures.

Skills

Ocean freight forwarding

US import knowledge

Carrier coordination

Documentation accuracy

MS Office (Outlook, Excel)

Education

Bachelor in logistics / supply chain (preferred)

Tools

Magaya

CargoWise

Job description

Location: West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, USA

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: On-Site Only (Not Remote)

Company Description

NOVA WORLD INTERNATIONAL, LLC DBA Nova Shipping is a global logistics provider delivering customized transportation and supply chain solutions worldwide. Since 2006, Nova Shipping has grown by combining competitive pricing, responsive customer service, and hands-on shipment management.

As a licensed NVOCC and ocean freight forwarder, we work closely with major ocean carriers and international partners to provide reliable import and export solutions. Our capabilities include containerized ocean freight, project cargo, machinery and equipment, overweight and oversized cargo, and door-to-door transportation.

Our team takes a practical, customer-focused approach to logistics, supported by technology, strong carrier relationships, and an international network of agents and service providers.

Mandatory Requirements – Please Read Before Applying

Applicants must meet ALL of the following requirements:

• U.S. Work Authorization: Must currently be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship. Nova Shipping is not offering employment visa sponsorship for this position.
• On-Site Availability: Must be able to work full-time at our West Bloomfield Township, Michigan office. This is NOT a remote or hybrid position.
• Relevant Experience: Minimum of 2 years of hands-on ocean freight forwarding operations experience, preferably with an NVOCC, freight forwarder, or international logistics provider.
• Ocean Import Knowledge: Must have practical experience handling ocean import shipments, including bills of lading, arrival notices, customs broker coordination, container releases, shipment tracking, and delivery arrangements.
• Operational Experience: Must be familiar with working directly with ocean carriers, trucking companies, terminals, warehouses, and international agents.

Role Description

Nova Shipping is seeking a full-time Ocean Import Operations Coordinator to join our team in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan.

This is an on-site position focused primarily on managing international ocean import shipments from origin through final delivery.

The Ocean Import Operations Coordinator will be responsible for day-to-day shipment execution and communication with customers, ocean carriers, overseas agents, customs brokers, trucking companies, warehouses, terminals, and internal team members.

The ideal candidate will have prior hands-on experience in ocean freight forwarding operations and be comfortable independently managing shipments, resolving operational issues, and coordinating multiple parties to ensure timely delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate ocean import shipments from origin through final delivery.
• Monitor vessel schedules, arrivals, customs clearance, container availability, and delivery status.
• Coordinate with ocean carriers, terminals, customs brokers, truckers, warehouses, and overseas agents.
• Arrange port, rail, warehouse, and final-mile deliveries as required.
• Provide customers with timely and accurate shipment updates.
• Prepare, review, and maintain bills of lading, arrival notices, delivery orders, and other import documentation.
• Monitor free time, demurrage, detention, storage, and other time-sensitive shipment requirements.
• Identify and resolve operational issues, delays, documentation discrepancies, and delivery challenges.
• Maintain accurate shipment information and documentation within the company's logistics platform.
• Review carrier and vendor charges for accuracy and support the invoicing process.
• Maintain organized shipment records and ensure operational milestones are completed on time.
• Communicate proactively with customers and internal teams regarding exceptions or potential delays.
• Support continuous improvement of import processes and operational procedures.
  

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of hands-on ocean freight forwarding operations experience (required).
• Direct experience coordinating ocean import shipments into the United States (required).
• Strong understanding of ocean freight processes, terminology, and import documentation.
• Familiarity with U.S. customs clearance processes and working with customs brokers.
• Experience coordinating container releases, drayage, rail transportation, and final delivery.
• Understanding of demurrage, detention, free time, and container availability.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple active shipments and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to identify and resolve operational issues.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Customer-service-oriented with the ability to communicate professionally with customers, carriers, vendors, and international partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel.
• Experience with freight forwarding/logistics management platforms such as Magaya, CargoWise, or similar systems is preferred.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus and preferred, particularly for communication with customers, carriers, and partners in Mexico and Latin America.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, multicultural, team-oriented environment.
• Ability to work full-time, on-site in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan (required).
• Education in logistics, supply chain management, international business, or a related field is preferred; equivalent industry experience will also be considered.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is organized, dependable, proactive, and comfortable taking ownership of shipments.

The ideal candidate can manage multiple priorities, communicate clearly when issues arise, and follow a shipment through to completion rather than simply completing individual tasks.

We are specifically seeking someone with practical ocean freight forwarding experience who understands the daily operational challenges of managing international container shipments.

This position is best suited for someone who can contribute from the start, work independently when needed, and collaborate with a small, experienced logistics team.