Import Operations Coordinator

Job Summary:

The Imports Coordinator is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the shipping of containers and air freight from manufacturers to final destinations. This role helps ensure competitive pricing, timely deliveries, and compliance with international shipping regulations. The ideal candidate will build strong relationships with freight forwarders, monitor shipping KPIs, and implement strategies to improve supply chain efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

Container and Air Freight Shipping

• Ensure factories place bookings with freight forwarders in a timely manner.
• Confirm booking details, including carton quantities, POs, ship method, and destinations.
• Monitor key shipment milestones and resolve shipment exceptions.
• Provide packing lists to devan warehouses and schedule deliveries as needed.
• Process containers in Acumatica ERP, ensuring accurate landed costs and release of POs.
• Investigate and resolve shortages, overages, and damages, holding responsible parties accountable.
• Provide expedited shipping options when required and assess the necessity of such services.
• Communicate shipping delays and estimated delivery dates to internal teams, prioritizing must arrive by dates for our largest customers.

Domestic Transload and Drayage Management

• Track KPIs for container pickup, container devan, shipment turnaround, and truck delivery, ensuring product arrives by the required MABD.
• Audit inland transport invoices for accuracy.
• Clearly communicate priority levels and must arrive by dates to all internal and external parties involved.

Freight Forwarder Management

• Maintain reports on transit times and freight rates.
• Conduct monthly business reviews with freight forwarders and provide performance feedback.
• Send periodic container forecasts to freight partners.
• Research and vet new freight forwarders to optimize service and cost.

Customs Compliance

• Audit factory invoices and packing lists for accuracy before sending to customs brokers.
• Conduct monthly business reviews with customs brokers and track performance metrics.
• Audit customs entry summaries and maintain a five-year record of all customs documents.
• Verify accuracy of ACH duty/tariff withdrawals and resolve discrepancies.
• Ensure proper documentation for international trade, including Certificates of Origin and Packing Declarations.
• Investigate customs requirements for new import markets.

Export Operations

• Support export shipments from international 3PLs, coordinating with customs brokers and forwarders in each destination country.
• Help maintain FCA term compliance with international forwarding partners.

Additional Responsibilities

• Audit, record, and submit freight invoices.
• Coordinate international distributor shipments through third-party consolidators.
• Oversee factory-to-customer container pickups at origin locations.
• Monitor and update container transit time data for forecasting and purchasing teams.
• Manage SKU endpoint changes to ensure accurate inbound freight routing.
• Support cross-functional stakeholder management for Tier 1 customers and internal launches or programs.
• Continuously improve processes and SOPs to enhance efficiency

Qualifications & Skills:

Required:

• Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to handle supply chain disruptions.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail.

Preferred:

•  Experience in international shipping and customs compliance.
• Knowledge of Incoterms and international trade regulations.
• Experience in data management and process optimization.
• Familiarity with Click-Up, Acumatica, DOMO, and Maxload/TOPS is a plus.