Sea Freight Forwarder

Company Overview

Join AIT Worldwide Logistics, a premier global freight forwarding and logistics firm headquartered in Chicago. We invite you to play a key role in the international supply chain and help move goods worldwide. Our company prides itself on a consultative approach and a global presence spanning over 150 locations across Asia, Europe, and North America. We serve diverse industries, including aerospace, automotive, retail, energy, and life sciences.

Position Summary

The Sea Freight Forwarder position involves coordinating and managing sea freight shipments while ensuring exceptional customer service and seamless transportation from origin to destination. This role requires close collaboration with customers, carriers, agents, and internal departments to meet service level agreements, follow procedures, and maintain cost efficiency. Accurate documentation and proactive issue resolution are key elements of the role, contributing to the goals of the department and company.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Understand client needs and deliver superior customer service.
• Plan, arrange, monitor, and control sea freight shipments, ensuring all operational and administrative documentation is complete.
• Handle non-conformities promptly to safeguard product integrity and customer satisfaction.
• Manage booking processes with clients, agents, and carriers.
• Utilize company IT systems, including CargoWise, for shipment operations.
• Generate sales invoices timely and process cost-related financial documents such as accruals and purchase invoices.
• Coordinate customs clearance activities.
• Prepare pricing quotations and respond effectively to requests for quotes (RFQs).
• Comply fully with legal, regulatory, and company standards, including managing Dangerous Goods shipments in accordance with all applicable laws.
• Provide coverage during holidays or absences as needed.
• Perform general administrative tasks as required.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of three years’ experience in a similar sea freight forwarding role.
• Training and practical experience in Good Distribution Practice (GDP).
• Customs clearance training and hands-on experience.
• Competency in Dangerous Goods handling, supported by appropriate training.
• Formal education or training in freight forwarding, logistics, or supply chain management.
• Fluent communication skills in English, both spoken and written.
• Familiarity with CargoWise is advantageous.

Employee Benefits

• Participation in a pension plan with AIT matching contributions up to 4%.
• Private healthcare coverage enhanced by a cash allowance.
• Opportunity to contribute to the community with five paid volunteer hours annually.