Ocean Freight Operations Coordinator

Role overview

In this position, you will handle the daily execution of ocean freight movements. You will place bookings based on the transportation plan, monitor containers from booking cut-off through discharge, resolve issues before they affect downstream stakeholders, and keep the Container Log accurate and up to date. Reporting to the Ocean Freight Operations Manager, you will work closely with carriers, forwarders, origin teams, and Planning to keep committed sailings on schedule, ensure documents move through compliance checkpoints, and share milestone updates with the wider business on a regular cadence.

Booking execution

• Submit carrier and forwarder bookings in line with the planning team’s container forecast and contracted MQCs.
• Send booking requests before carrier cut-off deadlines and rebook proactively when there is a risk of rollovers.
• Align ETDs with Planning and confirm vessel and equipment availability before commitments are finalized.
• Track lane-level carrier allocation usage and alert the Operations Manager to under-pull or over-pull risk.

Carrier and forwarder performance

• Review daily operational performance of carriers and forwarders against contracted SLAs.
• Collect data on on-time pickup, equipment availability, and schedule reliability for regional QBR preparation.
• Escalate repeated underperformance, missed cut-offs, and service failures to the Operations Manager.
• Support recovery actions with carriers during peak demand and capacity-constrained periods.

Cut-off, dwell, and schedule control

• Keep the booking-to-discharge process disciplined for the lanes assigned to you.
• Monitor cut-off adherence, terminal dwell time, and vessel schedule performance every day.
• Identify repeated delays by lane, origin, or carrier and share root-cause findings with the Operations Manager.
• Work according to the operational SLAs and standard work defined by the Operations Manager.

Exception handling

• Manage rolls, blank sailings, origin customs holds, and port disruptions as they arise.
• Apply the exception playbook for covered events and escalate complex or supply-impacting issues to the Operations Manager.
• Coordinate rebooking and follow-up with suppliers, origin teams, and Planning for affected shipments.
• Feed incident learnings into SOP updates and post-incident reviews.

Shipping data distribution

• Keep the Container Log as the single source of truth for booking, milestone, ETA, and discharge information.
• Update milestones in KN ESP and GoComet as events occur and reconcile data across systems.
• Share milestone and ETA updates with the organization according to the required cadence.
• Answer internal status questions with accurate, current shipment information.

Documentation compliance

• Check that shipping documents such as the B/L, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificates are accurate and uploaded within the target window.
• Work with origin teams, carriers, and brokers to manage document handoffs and corrections.
• Help maintain compliance with origin export, customs, and destination clearance requirements.
• Follow documentation SOPs and report recurring gaps for process improvement.

Performance metrics

• Containers shipped and delivered versus planned windows for assigned lanes.
• Booking request timing within the compliance window.
• Allocation and MQC performance against carrier contract commitments.
• Transit time adherence by lane.
• Containers per booking.
• Shipping document upload timing within the compliance window.
• Carrier operational performance score based on data quality and timeliness of capture.
• Container Log completeness and timeliness for assigned shipments.

Qualifications

You should hold a bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Business, or a related discipline, and bring 2 to 4 years of experience in ocean freight, international logistics, or import/export operations. You need practical knowledge of Incoterms, ocean carrier booking workflows, and shipping documentation, plus hands-on exposure to a TMS such as KN ESP or a similar platform and freight visibility tools. Experience using carrier booking portals, working with Microsoft Excel, and reconciling data across systems is important. Strong attention to detail, the ability to manage several shipments at once under deadline pressure, and clear written and verbal communication are essential. You should also be comfortable collaborating across time zones with origin teams and carriers. Experience in CPG, food and beverage, or other regulated import environments is an advantage.

Systems and tools

• KN ESP as the primary TMS for VC, carrier, and factory interface
• GoComet for RFQ, carrier assignment, and invoice approval
• Microsoft Excel
• SAP
• Carrier and forwarder portals