Freight Forwarding Supervisor

Job description:

1. Operational Management

• Supervise and manage all daily export, import, domestic, and multimodal freight operations.

• Coordinate bookings, cargo pick-ups/deliveries, loading schedules, and final dispatch, ensuring prompt and error-free execution.

• Proactively monitor and track shipment statuses, initiating immediate action to resolve delays, discrepancies, claims, or exceptions.

• Oversee the preparation, verification, and absolute accuracy of all critical shipping documentation (e.g., B/L, AWB, Manifests, Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Customs Declarations).

• Ensure rigorous compliance with all national and international trade regulations, customs procedures, and internal company policies across all operational activities.

• Conduct direct operational oversight and support at sites (e.g., container depots, ports, CFS, cargo loading and unloading locations) to enforce SOPs, ensure security, and maintain efficiency in the field.

2. Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and effectively manage a team of Operations Coordinators and Agents.

• Strategically plan and allocate operational workloads; monitor team performance against productivity metrics and targets.

• Develop and deliver training on new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), system updates, and regulatory changes.

• Conduct formal performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and support individual professional development plans.

3. Customer Service & Communication

• Act as the primary escalation point for all complex customer inquiries, service complaints, and critical operational issues.

• Maintain robust, professional communication channels with clients, shipping lines, airlines, customs brokers, warehouses, and internal departments.

• Provide accurate, proactive, and comprehensive shipment status updates to ensure all service level agreements (SLAs) and commitments are met.

• Cultivate strong customer and vendor relationships to support business retention and identify growth opportunities.

4. Carrier & Vendor Coordination

• Act as the primary operational liaison with carriers, shipping lines, airlines, and trucking companies to ensure alignment on schedules, operational requirements, and timely execution of bookings.

• Proactively coordinate and manage the daily flow of cargo between company facilities, ports/airports, and external warehouses, resolving immediate coordination challenges.

• Monitor and evaluate the on-time performance and service quality of key vendors and subcontractors crucial for daily operations (e.g., trucking, warehousing, and customs brokerage services).

• Negotiate immediate solutions for operational disruptions (e.g., equipment shortages, vessel/flight delays, capacity issues) to mitigate impact on service commitments.

• Verify that vendor operational documentation (e.g., DO, GR, delivery notes) matches physical cargo activity and internal records, ensuring efficient reconciliation of services and charges.

• Prepare and submit comprehensive, timely reports on operational performance, throughput, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and incident analysis to the Operational General Manager.

• Provide high-level operational summaries, risk assessments, and strategic input to the Board of Directors (BoD) as requested, particularly concerning major issues or investment proposals.

• Ensure the accurate and timely submission of all mandated data, reports, and compliance documentation to the Head Office, strictly adhering to global corporate standards and deadlines.

• Maintain meticulous operational records, electronic logs, and databases to support internal and external audits.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 2-5 years of experience in freight forwarding, logistics, or supply chain management.

• Good knowledge of shipping documentation and customs procedures.

• Strong communication, coordination, and leadership skills.

• Ability to work with tight deadline and manage multiple tasks.