Logistics Freight Forwarding Ocean Operations Specialist II

Position Summary

CTS Global Supply Chain Solutions is seeking an Ocean Operations Specialist II. Fully proficient in both ocean import and export operations. This role supports combined ocean import and export forwarding, customer service, documentation, compliance, and shipment execution.

This professional position independently manages assigned work, maintains accurate records and communication, follows established controls, and escalates exceptions appropriately.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently perform ocean import and export job-file setup, routing, bookings, pre-alerts, shipment documents, and operating instructions.
• Perform assigned work related to coordination with customers, carriers, agents, terminals, CFS facilities, customs brokers, truckers, and destination offices.
• Perform assigned work related to equipment, pickup, cutoff, sailing, arrival, customs, freight release, delivery, and proof-of-delivery milestones.
• Perform assigned work related to bills of lading, commercial documents, arrival notices, delivery orders, export data, and customer status updates.
• Perform assigned work related to shipment exceptions involving capacity, rollover, holds, documentation, demurrage, detention, storage, or delivery.
• Communicate status, missing information, routine questions, and service updates to the appropriate internal or external stakeholders.
• Maintain complete and accurate system data, supporting documents, notes, approvals, and audit trails; resolve routine discrepancies and escalate complex exceptions.
• Follow established procedures, deadlines, data-security standards, and Federal Maritime Commission, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, export-control, security, documentation, and Company requirements applicable to assigned shipments.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Associate or bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, Transportation, or a related field is preferred; equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
• 2-4 years of directly relevant experience is preferred.
• Strong working knowledge of ocean freight forwarding, carrier and agent coordination, shipment documentation, customer service, drayage, and international trade requirements appropriate to the level of the position.
• Ability to use CargoWise, ocean-carrier and terminal portals, Microsoft 365, and shipment-tracking systems accurately and efficiently; willingness to learn Company-specific systems and workflows.
• Demonstrated accuracy, judgment, organization, problem-solving, professional communication, confidentiality, and ability to meet deadlines.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with international ocean import and export freight forwarding and customer account management.
• Experience with CargoWise, carrier and terminal portals, ISF workflows, and shipment milestone reporting.
• Knowledge of customs clearance, drayage, CFS, demurrage, detention, and delivery coordination.
• Intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel and operational reporting proficiency.

Skills

• Ocean import and export forwarding, shipment milestones, drayage, and customer service
• Bills of lading, manifests, arrival notices, delivery orders, releases, and commercial documents
• Carrier, terminal, CFS, customs broker, trucker, agent, and customer coordination
• ISF, customs, FMC, security, demurrage, detention, and free-time awareness
• Exception management, prioritization, problem-solving, and deadline control
• Accurate cost, revenue, billing, accrual, and file-closing administration
• CargoWise, carrier and terminal portals, Microsoft Outlook, and Excel

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation based on experience, qualifications, work location, and applicable CTS salary grade
• Performance-based incentive opportunities, where applicable
• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Professional Training & Development
• Career Growth Opportunities