Senior Ocean Import & Export Specialist

HappyGlobal Service; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

HappyGlobal Service is looking for an on-site, full-time Ocean Freight Specialist in Los Angeles or Houston. You will coordinate ocean imports/exports, manage shipments, prepare quotations, and support ongoing customer relationships across U.S. and overseas teams.

The role requires strong English communication, 3+ years of experience with U.S.-based forwarders, and proficiency with freight systems and shipment tracking tools. On-site work at LA or Houston offices is expected.

Qualifications

• This role requires 3+ years of ocean freight operations experience with a U.S.-based forwarder or NVOCC.
• Experience handling end‑to‑end shipments in at least one direction (import or export).
• Knowledge of U.S. ocean freight procedures and service-provider coordination.
• Experience obtaining freight rates, calculating shipment costs, and preparing quotations for customers.
• Experience maintaining customer relationships and supporting repeat business.
• Strong English communication; Mandarin proficiency is required for some assignments.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate ocean import and export shipments with carriers, overseas agents, brokers, trucking providers, and warehouses.
• Manage shipment documentation and milestones including bookings, customs coordination, cargo release, pickup, and delivery.
• Coordinate import/export filing requirements with service providers.
• Obtain supplier rates, compare options, calculate costs and gross profit, and prepare quotations.
• Monitor deadlines, free time, charges; resolve issues and escalate when needed.
• Maintain regular communication with customers and pursue repeat shipments and additional services.
• Review vendor invoices and support billing reconciliation with finance.
• Provide clear updates and handoffs to colleagues in LA/Houston and overseas.

Skills

Ocean freight ops

Customer management

English proficiency

Mandarin skills

Problem solving

Organization skills

MS Excel

MS Outlook

Shipment tracking tools

Tools

Freight forwarding systems

Shipment tracking tools

MS Outlook

Job description

Location: Los Angeles, CA or Houston, TX

Employment Type: Full-time, on-site

About the Role

This role supports ocean freight operations, shipment pricing, and customer account management. You will coordinate with overseas teams and U.S. service providers to manage shipments, prepare quotations, resolve operational issues, and support ongoing customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate ocean import and export shipments with carriers, overseas agents, customs brokers, trucking providers, and warehouses.
• Manage shipment documentation and milestones, including bookings, customs clearance coordination, cargo release, pickup, delivery, and empty container returns.
• Coordinate applicable import and export filing requirements with the responsible service providers.
• Obtain supplier rates, compare service options, calculate shipment costs and gross profit, and prepare customer quotations within company guidelines.
• Monitor shipment deadlines, free time, and potential additional charges. Resolve operational issues and escal**ate** matters when appropriate.
• Maintain regular communication with customers, follow up on quotations, and identify opportunities for repeat shipments and additional services.
• Review vendor invoices, maintain shipment records, and support the finance team with billing reconciliation and payment follow-up.
• Provide clear updates and handoffs to colleagues across U.S. and overseas offices.

Qualifications

• Typically 3+ years of ocean freight operations experience with a U.S.-based freight forwarder or NVOCC. Demonstrated ability to manage shipments independently is the primary consideration.
• Hands‑on experience with both ocean imports and exports, including independent end‑to‑end shipment management in at least one direction.
• Knowledge of U.S. ocean freight procedures, shipment documentation, and service‑provider coordination.
• Experience obtaining freight rates, calculating shipment costs, and preparing customer quotations.
• Experience maintaining customer relationships and supporting repeat business.
• Effective written and spoken English for customer communication and shipment coordination.
• Ability to collaborate with Mandarin‑speaking colleagues. Working proficiency in Mandarin is required for assignments involving direct support of Mandarin‑speaking customers.
• Strong organization, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Excel, Outlook, freight forwarding systems, and shipment tracking tools.
• Availability for full‑time, on‑site work at the assigned Los Angeles or Houston office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Independent end‑to‑end experience in both ocean imports and exports.
• Experience coordinating shipments and handoffs across U.S. and China time zones.
• Familiarity with Southeast Asia trade lanes, multiple U.S. ports, or door‑to‑door logistics services.
• Experience improving shipment processes, negotiating supplier rates, or expanding existing customer accounts.

Working Arrangements

The role is based on‑site in Los Angeles or Houston. The specific office address, regular working hours, cross‑time‑zone coordination arrangements, and any urgent shipment support expectations will be discussed during the interview process.