Operations Supervisor - Ocean

Forward Air Corp.; Coppell (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Forward Air Corp. in Dallas, TX, seeks an Operations Supervisor – Ocean Freight to lead daily ocean import/export operations, supervise a team, and coordinate with steamship lines, brokers, and inland partners to maintain service levels.

You will ensure compliance with FMC and customs, manage FCL/LCL shipments, drive continuous improvements, and mentor coordinators in a fast-paced, on-site environment.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day-to-day ocean import and export operations, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations and company SOPs.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of ocean freight coordinators, fostering accuracy, accountability, and service excellence.
• Oversee end‑to‑end ocean shipment execution, including booking, documentation, customs coordination, and final delivery.
• Ensure compliance with FMC, customs, carrier, and port authority requirements for international ocean freight movements.
• Manage both FCL and LCL shipments, including coordination with steamship lines, NVOCCs, CFS facilities, and drayage providers.
• Monitor operational KPIs such as transit times, dwell time, demurrage and detention exposure, service levels, and cost control.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for customer issues, port delays, rollovers, and documentation discrepancies.
• Review and approve ocean freight documentation, including B/Ls, commercial invoices, packing lists, ISF filings, and export documentation.
• Coordinate closely with overseas agents, carriers, customs brokers, and inland transportation partners.
• Support pricing, routing, and capacity decisions in partnership with sales, procurement, and network teams.
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance.
• Ensure accurate and timely system updates within freight forwarding and transportation management platforms.
• Maintain strong customer relationships through proactive communication and issue resolution.
• Support staffing, scheduling, and workload planning to meet volume fluctuations and service commitments.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Job description

• Locations 3200 OLYMPUS BOULEVARD, Dallas, TX, 75019, US (On-site)
• Job Category Operations: Leadership
• Job Category Logistics and Transportation
• Job Function Operations

Job Description

The Operations Supervisor – Ocean Freight is responsible for leading daily ocean import and export operations to ensure compliant, efficient, and cost‑effective international freight movement. They supervise a team of ocean freight forwarding professionals while serving as a subject matter expert across FCL and LCL shipments, carrier coordination, documentation, and import/export customs processes. They partner closely with internal teams, steamship lines, customs brokers, drayage providers, and overseas offices to maintain high service levels. They play a key role in managing operational performance, meeting customer SLAs, and resolving complex shipment issues. This hands‑on leader brings strong background in international ocean freight operations, and a continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Supervise day‑to‑day ocean import and export operations, ensuring compliance with international trade regulations and company SOPs.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of ocean freight coordinators, fostering accuracy, accountability, and service excellence.
• Oversee end‑to‑end ocean shipment execution, including booking, documentation, customs coordination, and final delivery.
• Ensure compliance with FMC, customs, carrier, and port authority requirements for international ocean freight movements.
• Manage both FCL and LCL shipments, including coordination with steamship lines, NVOCCs, CFS facilities, and drayage providers.
• Monitor operational KPIs such as transit times, dwell time, demurrage and detention exposure, service levels, and cost control.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for customer issues, port delays, rollovers, and documentation discrepancies.
• Review and approve ocean freight documentation, including B/Ls, commercial invoices, packing lists, ISF filings, and export documentation.
• Coordinate closely with overseas agents, carriers, customs brokers, and inland transportation partners.
• Support pricing, routing, and capacity decisions in partnership with sales, procurement, and network teams.
• Identify process inefficiencies and implement continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational performance.
• Ensure accurate and timely system updates within freight forwarding and transportation management platforms.
• Maintain strong customer relationships through proactive communication and issue resolution.
• Support staffing, scheduling, and workload planning to meet volume fluctuations and service commitments.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Certification/Licensure: FMC, CCS, FIATA, or other industry‑recognised logistics certifications preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in international ocean freight import and export operations.
• Prior supervisory or team lead experience within a freight forwarding, NVOCC, or logistics environment.
• Strong working knowledge of international trade compliance, Incoterms, and ocean freight documentation.
• Experience working with freight forwarding systems and transportation management platforms required; CargoWise experience highly preferred.
• Experience managing FCL/LCL shipments, port operations, and demurrage/detention mitigation.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time‑management skills in a high‑volume, deadline‑driven environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to coordinate across global teams and customers.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.).
• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on‑site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings/events.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Compensation: Competitive base pay based on experience, industry/geographic benchmarks and internal equity. Some positions may be eligible for incentive pay programs and/or equity‑based incentives. Pay ranges published on job boards are not provided nor verified by the Company.
• Health: Medical and Pharmacy insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA); Vision; Dental; Life and Disability; Critical Illness; Accident Indemnity; Hospital Indemnity; On‑demand telehealth via Teladoc; Employee Assistance Program (counseling and financial/lifestyle coaching).
• Wealth: 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match; Employee stock purchase program; Flexible Spending Account (FSA); Commuter Benefits; LegalEASE legal coverage.
• Time: 7 paid holidays and generous Paid Time Off (PTO) tiers ranging from 10–25 days annually.
• Culture: A collaborative, transformation‑driven, solutions‑first environment full of "can do" attitude and "will do" work ethic.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Work Authorization: Within the United States, the Company is an E-Verify employer. Unless otherwise indicated, U.S.-based workers must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship, including but not limited to F-1, H-1, H-2, L, J, and TN visas, etc.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): The Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer . Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or veteran status.
• Reasonable Accommodations: Physical/mental requirements are listed only to identify where potential accommodations may be needed, not as qualification standards. In compliance with applicable laws and regulations (including ADA, ADEA, and FMLA), accommodations may be available to qualified individuals unable to perform essential duties without them. Additional requirements may apply to meet legal, regulatory, and Company standards.