International Freight Specialist
The International Freight Specialist will coordinate and monitor the movement of import and export containers to ensure timely delivery to the final destination and monitor the timely return of equipment.
Responsibilities Track import inbound containers from U.S. port of arrival to final destination. Monitor the number of days that equipment is available at destination interchange terminals (port or rail ramp) and take necessary action to avoid demurrage and associated charges. • Coordinate and prioritize container delivery in consideration of due dates, production schedule requirements, priority shipments, equipment availability, trucker and/or rail capacity, free time at port or rail, yard capacity, etc.; take action as needed for shipments that require expediting to final destination. • •Research and resolve any issues preventing containers from moving inland or from being dispatched. Monitor purchase order due dates and maintain internal systems with updated information to provide accurate delivery dates to customers. Research and resolve any PO’s that are at or beyond their due date but not in receipt to stock status. • Manually update on-hand inventory for warehouses that are not currently using the yard management system and audit receipt to stock transaction report to ensure it has updated properly. • Process receiver transaction when equipment is unloaded. Verify shortages and/or overages and report to necessary personnel for adjustment as needed. Notify trucker and/or Intermodal group when equipment is empty and ready for pick up. • Monitor and process diversion requests. Collaborate with ocean carriers, ensure systems are updated, and communicate with internal team to transfer responsibility as needed. • Monitor equipment on yard and research any equipment that has been held for an extended time period. Work with receiving area to unload containers that are beyond the allotted free time. Make recommendations for resolution and implement upon management approval. • Process and request payment for miscellaneous billing such as trans load fees, bobtail fees, yard pulls, pier pass fees, demurrage fees, per diem invoicing and various trucking charges. Research discrepancies and negotiate reduced fees when applicable. Update Ashley’s internal computer system as needed and ensure documentation is retained in Company’s electronic retention system. • Book export shipments with defined ocean carrier or forwarder as desired by the export customer. Confirm equipment is reserved or on yard in a timely fashion to load export trips. Monitor export shipment to guarantee shipment arrives at port or rail prior to the cut-off defined by the carrier. • •Monitor pool equipment, ensuring that dwell times do not exceed the agreed upon free time per contract. •Coordinate live loads with shipping dock and trucking company. •Collaborate with Export Account Specialists as needed if issues arise in getting product delivered timely to Ashley’s international customers. Track export shipments; ensure containers are in-gated to rail timely, arrive port offloading in time for the vessel cut-off and arrive at the port of final destination without issue. • Approve and coordinate ocean freight payment; advise Corporate Accounts Payable team to submit wire payment to ocean carriers. Update Ashley’s internal systems once wire payment has been sent. • Review and analyze freight statements. Ensure there are no open balances or overpayments with ocean carriers; reach and resolve issues as needed. • Review and analyze Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) information from ocean carrier base. Resolve missing feed information, segment discrepancies or incorrect data as needed; ensure details are accurate for U.S Customs clearance to be processed timely and effectively. Monitor and record data integrity to provide feedback to ocean carriers. • Establish and maintain effective communication, coordination and working relations with internal shipping and receiving staff and transportation partners. • •Maintain and retain international correspondence in accordance with established U.S. Customs requirements. •Collect and update information in accordance with team key process measures. Assist in maintaining standard operating procedures for the Freight Team; make recommendations for changes and implement upon Manager’s approval. • Determine areas in need of improvement, make recommendations and assist with creating, implementing and monitoring process improvement changes. • •Stay current with changes within the international shipping industry; communicate relevant findings to management. •Demonstrate the Company’s Core and Growth Values in the performance of all job functions.
Salary info:
$18 - $23 / hr