Senior Ocean Freight Operations & Accounts Specialist

HappyGlobal Service; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

HappyGlobal Service is seeking a Senior Ocean Import & Export Operations Specialist to support daily ocean freight operations, customer service, pricing, and account coordination in the U.S. This hands-on role requires coordinating with carriers, brokers, and agents, and managing import/export workflows from start to finish.

Candidates should have solid U.S. freight forwarding experience and be able to independently handle shipment processes, communicate effectively with customers, and maintain

Qualifications

• At least 3 years of experience in U.S.-based freight forwarding, NVOCC, or ocean freight operations.
• Hands-on experience with both ocean import and export operations, independently managing full shipment process.
• Practical experience obtaining freight rates, preparing customer quotations, and reviewing shipment costs.
• Experience communicating directly with customers and resolving operational issues.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Mandarin Chinese proficiency is preferred for supporting Chinese-speaking customers and teams.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate ocean freight shipments with carriers, customs brokers, trucking companies, warehouses, and overseas agents.
• Manage import shipment milestones including documentation review, customs coordination, cargo release, container pickup, delivery, and empty container return.
• Support export shipments including booking coordination, container arrangements, documentation, and bill of lading review.
• Monitor shipment status and proactively communicate updates to customers and internal teams.
• Obtain and compare rates from carriers and service providers based on routes, container types, cargo requirements, transit time, and service scope.
• Prepare customer quotations by reviewing ocean freight, local charges, drayage, chassis, storage, and other service-related costs.
• Communicate quotation terms, validity, free time, and potential charges; maintain pricing accuracy.
• Monitor shipment deadlines, including last free day, demurrage, detention, and other time-sensitive charges.
• Coordinate solutions for delays, customs issues, trucking appointments, and billing disputes.
• Identify potential cost exposure and elevate issues when necessary.
• Maintain regular communication with existing customers to understand shipment volumes, routing needs, service expectations, and business opportunities.
• Follow up on quotations, service feedback, and shipment performance.
• Collaborate with sales and operations to support repeat business and expand accounts.
• Maintain accurate shipment records and update internal systems.
• Review vendor invoices and customer billing for accuracy and documentation.
• Coordinate with finance on reconciliation, billing follow-up, and handoffs.
• Ensure clear communication of status, next steps, ownership, and deadlines across time zones.

Skills

Freight forwarding experience

Ocean import/export operations

Quotations & rate negotiation

Customer communication

English communication

Mandarin Chinese (preferred)

On-site work

Job description

HappyGlobal Service is seeking a Senior Ocean Import & Export Operations Specialist to support daily ocean freight operations, customer service, pricing, and account coordination in the U.S. This hands-on role requires coordinating with carriers, brokers, and agents, and managing import/export workflows from start to finish.

Candidates should have solid U.S. freight forwarding experience and be able to independently handle shipment processes, communicate effectively with customers, and maintain