Import Manager

Summary: 

The Import Manager’s role will oversee the Freight Forwarding import operations department. The successful candidate will have knowledge of all aspects of Freight Forwarding Import Operations and will be responsible for the overall direction and performance of the import operations department. Working closely with the Branch Manager, the Import Manager will be responsible for achieving business objectives, managing the import operations staff, and performing in a fast-paced, high-pressure freight forwarding import operations environment, while positively contributing to the success of the team. 

Qualities:

• Ethical with sound judgement
• Leadership, management, and interpersonal abilities to oversee the import operations department
• Possess a passion to help team members
• Visionary
• Detail-oriented
• Reliable, follows through on commitments
• Strong process and planning orientation
• Goal-oriented, task driven
• Enjoys being part of a team as well as leading one
• Balances team’s needs with goals of organization
• Ability to delegate to the right team members and the experience to know when to lead and when to delegate
• Outstanding written, verbal, presentation and organization communication skills

Essential Duties and Functional Responsibilities:

Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned.  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Performing tasks safely
• Ensuring area housekeeping requirements are met
• Abiding by all OSHA rules and LOGISTEED America Inc.’s safety practices
• Meeting established procedures and productivity, safety and quality standards
• Meeting attendance and punctuality standards
• Successfully leading Freight Forwarding import operations team
• Supporting day-to-day import operations as required
• Training and developing import operations Team
• Creating and maintaining Standard Operating Procedures for import operations
• Reviewing weekly Accounts Receivable Reports and communicate status to Branch Manager
• Investigating and planning the most appropriate route for a shipment, taking into account the nature of the goods, cost, transit time and security
• Negotiating contracts, transportation and handling costs
• Obtaining, checking and/or preparing all transportation documentation to meet Customs and insurance requirements, packing specifications, and compliance with local and international regulations
• Liaising with third parties to move goods (by road, rail, air or sea) in accordance with customer requirements
• Arranging air transport for urgent and high-value freight and managing the risk door to door
• Coordinating US Customs Brokerage to guide the freight efficiently through complex import procedures

• Arranging courier and specialist hand-carry services
• Working closely with customers, colleagues and third parties to ensure smooth operations to deadlines
• Maintaining communication and control through all phases of the journey, including the production of management reports and statistics
• Maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations and other factors that could affect the movement of freight
• Managing multiple customers across the globe coordinating shipments between multiple carriers and modes of transportation
• Knowledge of state, federal and international applicable laws and regulations as they relate to primary services provided (i.e. Customs, Security, other import & export government agencies)
• Performing job duties onsite at designated work facility
• Performing other duties as assigned by the Manager

Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Financial Management
• Project Management
• Communication Proficiency
• Personal Effectiveness/Credibility
• Multi-tasking

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position manages all key direct reports of the department and is responsible for the performance management of the employees within that department.

• Manages day-to-day operations of ocean import operations
• Ensures a culture and work environment in line with the company’s core value of respect
• Ensures that all team members are looking for ways to systematize the business to increase efficiency

Preferred Qualifications, Required Knowledge Skills & Abilities and Working Conditions

Previous Work Experience

• Minimum of 2-5 years Manager or Supervisory experience

• Experience in the freight forwarding industry

Education and Certifications

• High school diploma / GED; Post-secondary education preferred

Experience Requirements and Preferences:

• Proven leadership capabilities
• Available to work flexible hours and overtime depending on business needs
• Excellent, effective, clear, and concise verbal and written communications skills
• Ability to solve problems independently as well as in a team environment
• Demonstrated experience interacting, developing and maintaining customer relationships
• Proven success in and improving quality, service, safety and client relationship in a fast-paced high-pressure setting
• Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Office products
• Ability to obtain Certification for Dangerous Goods
• Ability to understand any and all safety requirements and regulations (OSHA)
• Ability to pass all TSA background requirements

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret the most complex documents
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to management or outsiders

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable):

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for prolonged periods of time, and to talk and hear. The employee is also required to stand and walk for short periods of time; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop, kneel, bend crouch or crawl; taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move objects up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

Ninety-five percent of the work time will be spent in an office setting where the environment is climate controlled.  Five percent of work time may be spent in various warehouse or other locations where the environment is not climate controlled (hot and cold seasonally).

LOGISTEED America, Inc. is an equal opportunity organization. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.  PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

EOE/M/F/D/V