- Location
- Hayward, CA
- Type
- Contract
- Department
- Operations
- Education
- High School
- Source
- RecruiterFlow
Description
Ocean Freight Supervisor
starting at $85,000+ | Full-Time | Hayward, CA
Join a growing international logistics company where you will lead an experienced operations team, drive operational excellence, and directly contribute to the success of global supply chain operations.
We are seeking a hands-on ocean freight leader with freight forwarding experience and a proven background overseeing employees. The ideal candidate is already operating at the Supervisor or Senior Supervisor level and can independently manage a team, daily operations, and escalations with limited management oversight.
What You’ll Do
As the Ocean Import & Export Operations Supervisor, you will oversee daily ocean import and export operations while leading and supporting a team of logistics professionals. Your responsibilities will include:
- Lead, train, mentor, and oversee Team Leaders and operations staff to maintain strong performance and customer service.
- Take ownership of daily ocean import and export operations, including documentation, cargo movement, customs clearance coordination, and shipment execution.
- Ensure compliance with U.S. Customs, FMC, DOT, TSA, and all applicable trade and transportation regulations.
- Manage customer escalations, shipment delays, claims, service issues, and operational exceptions with professionalism and urgency.
- Monitor staffing, workloads, productivity, and departmental KPIs to ensure operational efficiency and service excellence.
- Improve operational workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) while identifying opportunities to increase productivity and profitability.
- Support new customer implementations, account retention, and business growth initiatives.
- Coordinate with steamship lines, carriers, customs brokers, truckers, warehouses, vendors, overseas agents, customers, and internal departments.
- Conduct employee coaching, training, performance evaluations, and career-development planning.
- Assist leadership with budgeting, forecasting, operational reporting, and strategic planning.
- Foster a collaborative and accountable Yenvironment focused on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.
What We’re Looking For
- Minimum of 5 years of ocean freight forwarding experience, including both import and export operations.
- With a Minimum of 2 years of team leadership, supervisory, or equivalent leadership experience.
- Current or recent experience at the Team Lead, Supervisor, Senior Supervisor, or comparable level.
- Strong operational knowledge of both ocean import and ocean export processes.
- Experience overseeing, training, coaching, and supporting operations staff.
- Ability to take ownership of a team and manage daily operations with limited management oversight.
- Proven ability to independently resolve operational challenges and escalations.
- Strong understanding of ocean freight documentation, customs clearance, Incoterms, regulatory compliance, and carrier/vendor coordination.
- Excellent customer service, communication, and relationship-building skills.
- Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines in a fast-paced freight forwarding environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
- High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in logistics or supply chain management is a plus.
