Ocean Import Specialist

DHL Global Forwarding; Hebron Estates (KY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Compensation: Competitive base salary

401(k) Match: company match

Stock Purchase Plan

Medical

Vision

Dental

Paid Time Off

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding in Hebron, Kentucky is seeking an Ocean Import Specialist to manage shipment execution and serve as the primary customer contact. You will coordinate bookings, documentation, and transport, while ensuring service commitments and addressing issues promptly.

Key responsibilities include optimizing routing, invoicing accuracy, regulatory compliance, and building strong client relationships to identify upsell opportunities and drive profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience/qualification.
• Strong understanding of Ocean Import regulations and documentation is preferred.
• Enthusiasm for building deep and lasting connections with our customers.
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset, always demonstrating a "can do" attitude.
• Ability to resolve issues related to product movement and proactively communicate with the customer.
• Strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills (oral and written) are essential, with prior customer service experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel.
• Highly desirable, but not required, experience using the CargoWise system.

Responsibilities

• Administer shipment level activities including booking receipt, documentation, and related transport.
• Serve as primary customer contact for shipment information, exceptions, and claims.
• Manage routing and assignment to meet service commitments and maximize profit, while preparing invoices and supporting documents and addressing disputes.
• Execute necessary regulatory compliance procedures relating to commodity and locations for shipments.
• Maintain close business relationships with existing clients, identify upsell opportunities, conduct customer visits and achieve retention.
• Study and resolve issues in day-to-day delivery and implement best practices for Ocean Freight Operations.
• Resolve performance issues of suppliers, and propose solutions to improve performance.
• Resolve recurring issues, and suggest enhancements to processes focusing on increasing effectiveness and efficiency.
• May provide functional guidance, advice or training to less experienced positions.
• Contribute to PDs and GEMBA, highlight issues and share improvement ideas proactively.
• Create and/or confirm transport orders, perform and optimize bookings.
• Prepare, control, and distribute all required Import/Export documents.
• Identify performance issues of suppliers.
• Update Customs shipment information and physical status, resolve customer issues and incidents.

Skills

Customer service mindset

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, Word

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

CargoWise ERP

Job description

Job title: Ocean Import Specialist

Job location: Hebron, Kentucky

Revolutionize the logistics industry as a customer-centric Ocean Import Specialist at DHL Global Forwarding. Join our dynamic team and be at the forefront of innovation, digitalization, and solutions-driven approaches that cater to our customers' every need.

Manage and oversee all shipment execution activities while serving as the primary point of contact for customers. Understand customer needs and ensure adherence to service commitments and foster strong client relationships to identify upselling opportunities. Optimize profitability through strategic routing, assignment of shipments, accurate invoicing, and effective resolution of disputes. Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, highlight issues early and address customer concerns promptly to ensure effective exception and complaint handling maintaining customer loyalty and trust.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administer shipment level activities including receipt of customer booking, documentation requirements, and all related local and international transport
• Act as Customer first point of contact for shipment information, exception / complaint management and claims
• Manage shipment routing and assignment to ensure customer service commitments are in line with the service promise and profit maximized, while also preparing accurate invoices and supporting documentation, and addressing invoice disputes. Own the profitability of the file.
• Execute necessary regulatory compliance procedures relating to commodity and locations for shipments
• Maintain close business relationship with existing clients, identify potential upsell opportunities, conduct customer visits and achieve a desired level of customer retention
• Study and resolve issues in day-to-day delivery and implement best practices for Ocean Freight Operations focusing on increasing effectiveness and efficiency with the use of the transportation management system.
• Resolve performance issues of suppliers, and propose solutions to improve performance
• Resolve recurring issues, and suggest enhancements to processes focusing on increasing effectiveness and efficiency
• May provide functional guidance, advice or training to less experienced positions
• Contribute to PDs and GEMBA, highlight issues and share improvement ideas proactively

Other Areas in Ocean Freight Operations:

• Create and/or confirm transport orders, perform and optimize bookings
• Prepare, control, and distribute all required Import/Export documents
• Identify performance issues of suppliers
• Update Customs shipment information and physical status, resolve customer issues and incidents

SKILLS / REQUIREMENTS:

• Strong understanding of Ocean Import regulations and documentation is preferred
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience/qualification
• Enthusiasm for building deep and lasting connections with our customers
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset, always demonstrating a "can do" attitude
• Ability to resolve issues related to product movement and proactively communicate with the customer
• Strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills (oral and written) are essential, with prior customer service experience preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel
• Highly desirable, but not required, experience using the CargoWise system

Pay Range: $21.32 - $28.43/hr. (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.