Ocean Transportation Manager at John S Connor Inc – Glen Burnie, Maryland

Get to Know Us

Join a well-established leader in our industry, where a career offers both personal and professional growth within the dynamic world of transporting goods and services around the world. With decades of experience, we support a diverse range of clients, ensuring their logistics and customs needs are met with excellence.

Our Culture

People and technology drive our success. We are committed to fostering a workplace that values integrity, celebrates achievements, and recognizes each employee's role in our success. Our focus on customer satisfaction and innovation ensures that every team member's contributions are both meaningful and rewarding. We embrace diversity, engagement, and inspiration, making this a place where employees can thrive and grow.

Position Summary

The Ocean Transportation Manager is responsible for overseeing all ocean import and export logistics operations, maximizing customer satisfaction, enhancing profitability, reducing costs, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. This role involves managing the end-to-end import and export processes, optimizing freight and transportation rates, and fostering strong relationships with key stakeholders. The manager will lead initiatives to improve efficiency, utilize technology developments, streamline operations, and maintain compliance with both domestic and international regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Transportation, Logistics and Coordination

• Plan and coordinate the entire import and export processes, from the shipper to end customer, including booking shipments, transportation management, and ensuring proper documentation.
• Collaborate with carriers to secure optimum freight rates to support the company's objectives while maintaining cost-efficiency.
• Collaborate and coordinate with various stakeholders, including our international partners, to enhance relationships for optimum business results.

Compliance and Regulations

• Ensure adherence to all U.S. Customs and governmental regulations, including: Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Commerce Control List (CCL), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Importer Security Filing (ISF), Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), Schedule B product classification and Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) regulations among others.
• Manage all U.S. Customs and transportation-related activities, ensuring accurate classification of products, including Schedule B/HTS numbers, Export Control Classification Number (ECCN), licensed cargo details and NVOCC requirements.
• Ensure accurate product country of origin, country of ultimate destination and documentation.

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and train import and export coordinators and other staff members, providing support and guidance to foster their professional growth and development.
• Provide leadership in driving cost-reduction strategies, implementing technology tools and improving the efficiency of the transportation and customs processes across the department and organization.

Customer Service

• Address customer inquiries, complaints, and concerns in a professional manner to ensure exceptional customer satisfaction and build long-term relationships.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key providers, including ocean carriers, Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs), trucking carriers, warehouses, international partners and other freight forwarders, to ensure seamless operations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and strategic thought leader to our clients and others on all shipping projects related to transportation, Customs, and compliance.

Profitability and Performance

• Monitor and manage the profitability of import and export operations, including tracking performance metrics and identifying process improvement opportunities.
• Drive cost out of end-to-end transportation and customs spend by evaluating and optimizing transportation and logistics processes.

Market Development and Sales

• Collaborate with sales and marketing teams to identify new business opportunities, develop strategies for market growth, and promote the company's services widely.

Budget Management

• Collaborate with department leads to develop and manage annual budgets, focusing on both revenue generation and expense control.

Operational Improvements

• Identify and develop strategic initiatives aimed at process improvements, operational consistency, and providing business value
• Identify opportunities to streamline legacy processes, implement technology tools and introduce continuous improvement strategies.

Cross-Department Collaboration

• Partner with internal stakeholders across departments in support of business and client needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Transportation, Supply Chain, or a related field required, or an equivalent combination of skills, training and experience.

Experience: 5-7 years of experience in international transportation (preferably Ocean)/domestic and U.S. Customs required. 3+ years of supervisory or managerial experience in a similar role required.

Certifications: Certified Export Specialist (CES) (preferred, but not required), Hazardous Materials or similar certifications is highly desired. Project Management Professional (PMP) or relevant project management certifications are beneficial, but not required, for managing complex shipping and logistics projects.

Compliance: Strong working knowledge of import/export regulations, including EAR, CCL, ITAR, ICC Incoterms, HazMat, ISF, HTSUS, Schedule B and FMC regulations among others.

Additional Qualifications

Technical Skills

• Experience with transportation management systems (TMS, CargoWise preferred) and Customs management software.
• Experience in using Google Workspace and Microsoft Office Applications in a PC environment, with proficiency in using data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., Google Docs, Excel, Power BI, etc). Use of A.I. tools is beneficial.
• Strong understanding of Supply Chain and Logistics software to optimize shipping routes, logistics options and costs.

Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

• Proven ability to apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to resolve transportation bottlenecks, compliance challenges, or operational issues.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams to drive solutions in complex, time-sensitive environments.

International Trade Knowledge

• Deep understanding of international trade compliance, including trade agreements, tariffs, and import/export documentation requirements, especially between the U.S. and major international trading partners.

Negotiation Skills

• Experience in negotiating favorable contracts with carriers, vendors, and service providers, driving cost reductions while maintaining high service quality.
• Experience in managing Request for Proposals (RFPs) and participating in the bidding process for transportation and logistics services.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

• Experience managing client relationships at a senior level, especially with major shipping and/or logistics providers, ensuring customer satisfaction and service excellence.
• Ability to cultivate strong, lasting relationships with external customers, vendors, international partners and service providers.

Leadership Skills

• Demonstrated leadership experience with a proven ability to build high-performing teams.
• Ability to inspire and motivate a team, ensuring clear communication of company goals and strategic initiatives.

Adaptability and Flexibility

• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where transportation needs and logistics challenges may change frequently.
• Willingness to adapt to changes in industry regulations, market conditions, and customer requirements.
  
  Financial Acumen
• Strong financial analysis skills, with the ability to analyze department costs, logistics costs and identify areas for cost savings.
• Experience with budgeting and forecasting for department, logistics and transportation activities.

Why Join Us

We are a leader in global logistics, customs brokerage and vessel agency. As a vital player in the supply chain, we ensure our clients' shipments meet all requirements, facilitating smooth import/export operations. Join a collaborative and dynamic team in a role that offers exposure to various facets of logistics and maritime operations.

As a team member, you have access to the following benefits and compensation packages.

Benefits and Compensation

• Salary Range: $60,000 to $100,000 annually (depending on skills and experience)
• Potential for additional compensation such as discretionary bonuses, employee rewards and recognition programs
• Hybrid Work Environment
• Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, FSA, HRA, and Employee Assistance Programs
• Company Paid Life and Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D options for employees and qualified dependents
• 401(k) with employer matching and profit sharing
• Paid Vacation, Paid Time Off, and Holidays
• Educational Assistance

We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and team members. We are a smoke and drug-free workplace and ADA-compliant as applicable.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the application or interview process, please contact us to request assistance.