Job Title: International Logistics Specialist
Reports to: Logistics Manager
Location: Summerville SC
Type: Full-Time
Job Summary
This role is responsible for managing international freight operations from overseas suppliers once Purchase Orders are placed. The position owns freight strategy, forwarder management, ocean and air booking execution, and end-to-end visibility up to port of export. The role requires deep knowledge of the freight forwarding market, especially in China, Southeast Asia, and Africa, and strong commercial negotiation skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Take over shipments from Purchasing once POs are released; act as logistics owner through vessel departure.
- Develop and execute international freight strategies, including long-term contracts, spot pricing, or hybrid models.
- Source, evaluate, negotiate, and manage freight forwarders, primarily in China, SEA, and Africa.
- Book ocean/air freight (FCL/LCL), manage sailing/flight schedules, rollover risk, and capacity constraints.
- Coordinate with suppliers to ensure cargo readiness, compliant packing, labeling, and on-time container pickup.
- Monitor origin operations including factory pickup, CY/CFS delivery, and gate-in deadlines.
- Establish performance metrics for forwarders (cost, transit time, visibility, service levels).
- Ensure forwarders provide reliable GIT visibility, daily trackers, milestones, and exception alerts.
- Lead integration or data-sharing initiatives with forwarder TMS systems (APIs, EDI, reports).
- Arrange and manage cargo insurance coverage and claims at origin when required.
- Manage origin-side freight cost control, accruals, and invoice validation.
- Identify and mitigate logistics risks (port congestion, strikes, regulatory changes).
- Support continuous improvement in routing guides, SOPs, and carrier allocation.
- Maintain strong market intelligence on carrier trends, GRIs, surcharges, and regulatory changes.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, International Trade, or related field.
- 5+ years of international logistics or freight forwarding experience.
- Strong working knowledge of ocean freight markets in China, SEA, and Africa.
- Bilingual in Mandarin is a plus for business communication
- Proven experience negotiating forwarder contracts and freight rates.
- Hands-on experience with freight visibility tools, TMS platforms, and reporting.
- Solid understanding of Incoterms, cargo insurance, and international shipping documents.
- Ability to work across time zones and manage overseas partners.
- Strong analytical, communication, and vendor management skills.
Key Interfaces
- Purchasing
- Suppliers
- Freight Forwarders
- Carriers
- Insurance Providers
- Internal Finance & Supply Chain Teams
