Freight Forwarding Specialist (Remote)

Placements24; Polokwane; Remote; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote work arrangement

Competitive salary

Health benefits

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Freight Forwarding Specialist to lead end-to-end international shipments from a remote home office. You will coordinate bookings, documentation, and tracking while negotiating rates and ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements across air, sea, and land routes.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in freight forwarding, strong negotiation and communication skills, and a proven ability to resolve complex logistical challenges in a remote, global team.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in freight forwarding or international logistics.
• Strong knowledge of air, sea, and land freight forwarding processes and docs.
• Solid understanding of international shipping regulations, customs procedures, and trade compliance.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively with carriers and service providers.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in freight forwarding software and global trade management systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple shipments, and meet tight deadlines remotely.
• Familiarity with Incoterms and their application.
• High degree of organization and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage international freight forwarding including booking, documentation, and tracking.
• Liaise with airlines, shipping lines, trucking providers for rates and space.
• Prepare shipping docs: bills of lading, customs declarations, invoices.
• Ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, customs laws, and trade requirements.
• Communicate with clients with shipment updates and issue resolution.
• Track shipments from origin to destination and mitigate delays.
• Manage customs clearance procedures with brokers.
• Build relationships with carriers, clients, and supply chain partners.
• Identify opportunities to optimize routes and costs.
• Maintain records of all freight forwarding activities in the system.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Communication

Problem-solving

Customer service

Independent work

Remote work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Logistics or related field

Tools

Freight forwarding software

Global Trade Management systems

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a dynamic international freight and logistics company, is seeking a highly experienced and proactive Freight Forwarding Specialist to join their fully remote global team. This role is instrumental in managing and coordinating the end-to-end movement of goods across borders via air, sea, and land. You will be responsible for liaising with carriers, customs authorities, and clients to ensure efficient, compliant, and cost-effective shipment of cargo. As a remote-first organization, we provide a connected and supportive digital workspace, empowering you to manage international logistics operations seamlessly from your home office. The ideal candidate will possess a strong understanding of international shipping regulations, excellent negotiation skills, and a proven ability to resolve complex logistical challenges. This is a significant opportunity to contribute your expertise to a leading logistics provider and play a key role in facilitating global trade.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage all aspects of international freight forwarding, including booking, documentation, and tracking.
• Liaise with airlines, shipping lines, trucking companies, and other service providers to secure competitive rates and space.
• Prepare and process all necessary shipping documentation, including bills of lading, customs declarations, and invoices.
• Ensure compliance with all international shipping regulations, customs laws, and import/export requirements.
• Communicate effectively with clients, providing updates on shipment status and resolving any issues.
• Track shipments from origin to destination, proactively identifying and mitigating potential delays or problems.
• Manage customs clearance procedures in coordination with brokers.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, clients, and other supply chain partners.
• Identify opportunities to optimize shipping routes and costs.
• Maintain accurate records of all freight forwarding activities in the system.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in freight forwarding or international logistics.
• In-depth knowledge of air, sea, and land freight forwarding processes and documentation.
• Strong understanding of international shipping regulations, customs procedures, and trade compliance.
• Proven ability to negotiate effectively with carriers and service providers.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and customer service skills.
• Proficiency in freight forwarding software and global trade management systems.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple shipments simultaneously, and meet tight deadlines in a remote environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, or a related field is preferred.
• Familiarity with different Incoterms and their application.
• High degree of organization and attention to detail.

Benefits

• competitive salary
• comprehensive health benefits
• fully remote work arrangement
• You will have the opportunity to work with a diverse global clientele and contribute to critical international supply chains.
• We provide continuous professional development opportunities and encourage career advancement within the organization.
• Join a forward-thinking company that values expertise, efficiency, and the flexibility of remote work, allowing you to thrive in the global logistics landscape from your home office.