Ocean Import Agent

Job Title: Ocean Import Agent

Job Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is the world leader in air freight services and one of the leading providers of ocean freight services.

Around 30,000 employees work to ensure we transport our customers of shipments by air or sea.

DGF's logistics solutions span the entire supply chain, from the factory to the shop floor.

This also includes special transport-related services.  Visit our career site on the web at https://www.logistics.dhl/us-en/home/careers.html 

Job Purpose:

Manage and oversee all shipment execution activities while serving as the primary point of contact for customers.  Understand customer needs and ensure adherence to service commitments and foster strong client relationships to identify upselling opportunities.  Optimize profitability      through strategic routing, assignment of shipments, accurate invoicing, and effective resolution of disputes.  Maintain compliance with regulatory requirements, highlight issues early and address customer concerns promptly to ensure effective exception and complaint handling maintaining customer loyalty and trust.

Key Responsibilities:


* Administer shipment level activities including receipt of customer booking, documentation requirements, and all related local and international transport


* Act as a customer first point of contact for shipment information, exception/complaint management and claims


* Mange shipment routing and assignment to ensure customer service commitments are in line with the service promise and profit maximized, while also preparing accurate invoices and supporting documentation, and addressing invoice disputes.  Own the profitability of the file.


* Execute necessary regulatory compliance procedures relating to commodity and locations for shipments


* Maintain close business relationship with existing clients, identify potential upsell opportunities, conduct customer visits and achieve a desired level of customer retention


* Study and resolve issues in day-to-day delivery and implement best practices for Ocean Freight Operations focusing on increasing effectiveness and efficiency with the use of the transportation management system


* Resolve performance issues of suppliers, and propose solutions to improve performance


* Resolve recurring issues, and suggest enhancements to processes focusing on increasing effectiveness and efficiency


* May provide functional guidance, advice or training to less experienced positions


* Contribute to PDs and GEMBA, highlight issues and share improvement ideas proactively


* Other Areas in Ocean Freight Operations:
+ Create and/or confirm transport orders, perform and optimize bookings
+ Prepare, control and distribute all required Import/Export documents
+ Identify performance issues of suppliers
+ Update Customs shipment information and physical status, resolve custom...