Specialist Air Freight Import

AIT Worldwide Logistics, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Modern workplace equipment

Capital‑forming benefits

Pension plan with Allianz

30 days paid holiday

Volunteer hours

Job summary

AIT Worldwide Logistics, Inc. is seeking a Manager Air Import to oversee the import operations, including airline bookings, customs clearance, and onward transport.

You will lead the Air Import department, optimize processes, and maintain strong relationships with customers while expanding the commercial footprint of the department. The role requires experience in international air freight forwarding, strong leadership, and a focus on service quality and compliance.

Qualifications

• Minimum a completed commercial training in freight forwarding, logistics, or business administration.
• Experience in international air freight forwarding, preferably in import operations and customs clearance.
• Experience in planning, coordinating, and leading operational teams to ensure efficient workflows, resource allocation, and service quality.
• Strong customer service orientation and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead, organize, and coordinate the Air Import department, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations and effective resource allocation.
• Ensure the smooth, timely, and compliant handling of air import shipments, including airline bookings, customs clearance, and the organization of onward transportation.
• Lead, support, evaluate, and develop employees, including onboarding, training, and performance feedback.
• Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction through proactive customer support and by ensuring compliance with customer-specific processes and requirements.
• Coordinate communication with customers, airlines, agents, service providers, and internal teams, and resolve operational issues and exceptions.
• Analyze and continuously improve processes, procedures, and documentation.
• Prepare quotations, calculations, analyses, and presentations, and participate in negotiation and sales meetings.

Skills

Leadership

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

German (fluent)

English (fluent)

Education

Commercial training in freight forwarding/logistics/business administration

Job description

Introduction

Move the world with us!

AIT is a global freight forwarding and logistics company headquartered in Chicago. Are you looking for an exciting and varied job? Then you are exactly right for us! Become part of the international supply chain and move the world with us!

Does that sound interesting? Then make AIT Worldwide Logistics the next stop on your career ladder!

Overview

Overview: As Manager Air Import you will ensure the smooth and timely processing of all import shipments, maintaining full oversight of operational flow and proactively resolving any exceptions as they arise. You will also be responsible for optimizing and safeguarding the documentation of all procedures and processes, making sure that standards are consistently applied and continuously improved. In addition, you will maintain and further develop relationships with existing customers, while also taking an active role in acquiring new customers and expanding the commercial footprint of the department.

Responsibilities

• Lead, organize, and coordinate the Air Import department, ensuring efficient day-to-day operations and effective resource allocation.


• Ensure the smooth, timely, and compliant handling of air import shipments, including airline bookings, customs clearance, and the organization of onward transportation.


• Lead, support, evaluate, and develop employees, including onboarding, training, and performance feedback.


• Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction through proactive customer support and by ensuring compliance with customer-specific processes and requirements.


• Coordinate communication with customers, airlines, agents, service providers, and internal teams, and resolve operational issues and exceptions.


• Analyze and continuously improve processes, procedures, and documentation.


• Prepare quotations, calculations, analyses, and presentations, and participate in negotiation and sales meetings.

Qualifications

• Minimum a completed commercial training in freight forwarding, logistics, or business administration and several years of experience in international air freight forwarding, preferably in import operations and customs clearance


• Experience in planning, coordinating, and leading operational teams to ensure efficient workflows, resource allocation, and service quality


• Strong customer service orientation and relationship-building skills


• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities


• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment


• Accurate, organized, and independent working style with strong attention to detail


• Fluent spoken and written German and English; additional European languages are an advantage

About AIT Worldwide

AIT Worldwide Logistics is a global freight forwarder that helps companies grow by expanding access to markets all over the world where they can sell and/or procure their raw materials, components and finished goods. For more than 40 years, the Chicago-based supply chain solutions leader has relied on a consultative approach to build a global network and trusted partnerships in nearly every industry, including aerospace, automotive, consumer retail, energy, food, government, high-tech, industrial, life sciences and marine. Backed by scalable, user-friendly technology, AIT’s flexible business model customizes door-to-door deliveries via sea, air, ground and rail—on time and on budget. With expert teammates staffing more than 150 worldwide locations in Asia, Europe and North America, AIT’s full-service options also include customs clearance, warehouse management and white glove services.

What AIT Can Offer You

We believe in rewarding your talent and supporting your growth and long-term security. In addition to a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, you’ll enjoy:

• Modern workplace equipment to support your daily work


• Capital‑forming benefits helping you build financial assets


• A company pension plan with our preferred provider Allianz, including an employer contribution in line with statutory regulations


• 30 days of paid holiday per year to relax and recharge


• Five paid volunteer hours per year, giving you the opportunity to give back to the community