International Air Specialist

Position Summary

The International Specialist is responsible for the complete lifecycle of international air and ocean shipments, including quoting, operations, documentation, and billing. This role requires a high level of ownership, attention to detail, and accountability, with a strong focus on data accuracy, proactive customer communication, and providing effective alternatives to meet customer needs.

The International Specialist acts as an operational expert ensuring shipments are executed correctly, customers are continuously informed, and service decisions support profitability, reliability, and long-term customer relationships.

Key Responsibilities

Quoting & Pricing (Air and ground only)

• Prepare accurate, timely, and profitable quotes.
• Ensure all rate data, accessorial, surcharges, and assumptions are clearly documented and entered correctly into internal systems.
• Analyze alternative routings, transit times, and service levels when pricing to best meet customer requirements.
• Maintain marginal performance with strong awareness of pricing strategies and Company expectations.

Operations & Shipment Management

• Manage shipments from booking through final delivery, with full ownership of execution.
• Ensure all operational data is entered timely, accurately and completely at every shipment milestone.
• Monitor shipments closely and proactively address delays, exceptions, or changes.
• Continuously keep customers informed with the latest shipment status, transit updates.
• Provide alternative solutions, including pricing, to mitigate impact of disruptions or to meet client changing needs.
• Prepare, review, and submit accurate international shipping documentation.
• Ensure documentation data matches system entries and customer instructions exactly, preventing delays, fines, and billing errors.
• Maintain compliance with all regulatory, carrier, Customer and internal procedures.

Billing & Financial Accountability

• Ensure clean, accurate, and timely billing, supported by correct system data and documentation.
• Validate vendor costs and resolve discrepancies quickly.
• Responsibility for job profitability and financial accuracy from pricing through final invoice.
• Understand how data quality directly impacts revenue, cost control, and customer satisfaction.

Customer Communication & Service Excellence

• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned customers.
• Provide timely, clear, and proactive communication, including shipment milestones, changes, and potential risks.
• Set expectations early and update customers as conditions evolve.
• Offer creative, practical solutions and alternatives that align with customer priorities such as cost, transit time, and reliability.

Business Growth & Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve:
• Data quality and operational accuracy
• Customer experience and responsiveness
• Profitability and cost efficiency
• Actively contribute ideas to improve processes, systems, and service offerings.
• Support customer retention and growth through dependable execution and value-added service.

Qualifications & Experience

• 2–5+ years of experience in international freight forwarding, with strong exposure to air and ocean services.
• Proven experience handling quoting, operations, documentation, and billing.
• Solid understanding of Incoterms, international logistics workflows, and carrier practices preferred.
• Experience in a fast-paced international freight forwarding environment preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Proactive communicator who keeps customers and leadership informed.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Commercial awareness with focus on profitability.