Ocean Freight Assistant / Documentation Lead

🌟 We’re Hiring: Ocean Freight Assistant / Documentation Lead📍 Location: United Arab Emirates (Remote)🕒 Employment Type: Part-Time💼 Experience Level: Mid-Level to Senior🌐 Work Arrangement: Fully RemoteAbout UsWe are a global logistics and supply-chain organization supporting international freight, shipping documentation, customs coordination, and end-to-end cargo movement. Our teams work with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, ports, suppliers, and customers to ensure shipments are processed accurately and efficiently.We value reliability, accuracy, responsiveness, compliance, and operational excellence. We are looking for a highly organized professional who can manage ocean-freight documentation and coordinate multiple shipment activities.The RoleWe are seeking an experienced Ocean Freight Assistant / Documentation Lead to support international sea-freight operations, shipping documentation, booking coordination, customs paperwork, shipment tracking, and customer communication.The ideal candidate has strong attention to detail, understands ocean-freight processes, and can coordinate effectively with carriers, forwarders, customs brokers, suppliers, and customers.Key ResponsibilitiesCoordinate daily administrative activities for ocean-freight shipments.Prepare, review, and maintain shipping documents including Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and related documentation.Coordinate vessel bookings, container reservations, shipping instructions, and cargo cut-off requirements.Liaise with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, ports, suppliers, and customers.Monitor vessel schedules, ETD/ETA information, transshipment details, container movements, and shipment milestones.Ensure shipping documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted within required deadlines.Review Bills of Lading and shipping instructions for discrepancies before finalization.Track documentation cut-offs, cargo cut-offs, VGM requirements, manifest deadlines, and other operational milestones.Coordinate container pickup, loading, gate-in, vessel departure, transshipment, and arrival activities.Follow up on delayed documents, missing information, booking confirmations, amendments, and carrier requirements.Assist with customs-clearance documentation and coordinate with approved customs brokers.Maintain accurate shipment records in freight-management, ERP, TMS, CRM, or document-management systems.Update customers and internal teams regarding shipment status, schedule changes, documentation requirements, and delays.Prepare shipment status reports, exception reports, documentation trackers, and operational summaries.Coordinate freight invoices, carrier charges, handling fees, storage charges, demurrage, detention, and related documentation where applicable.Assist finance and operations teams with invoice verification and shipment-cost administration.Maintain records of containers, booking references, Bills of Lading, cargo details, vessel information, and delivery instructions.Support import and export documentation for FCL, LCL, project cargo, and general commercial shipments.Assist with dangerous-goods documentation where applicable and ensure specialist requirements are handled by appropriately qualified personnel.Coordinate shipment amendments, cancellations, rollovers, transshipments, and documentation corrections.Escalate shipment delays, cargo discrepancies, documentation errors, customs issues, or operational risks promptly.Maintain organized digital and physical records for completed and active shipments.Support internal audits, customer reviews, carrier reconciliations, and compliance checks.Maintain confidentiality of customer, shipment, commercial, and supplier information.Follow company procedures, international shipping requirements, customs rules, carrier policies, and applicable UAE regulations.RequirementsBachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, Business Administration, Shipping, or a related field is preferred.3+ years of professional experience in ocean freight, shipping documentation, freight forwarding, logistics, or international trade is preferred.Strong understanding of ocean-freight operations, shipping documents, container movements, vessel schedules, and freight-forwarding processes.Good knowledge of Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, VGM, and shipping instructions.Excellent spoken and written English communication skills.Additional languages such as Arabic, Hindi, Mandarin, French, or Russian are advantageous.Strong organizational, documentation, coordination, and follow-up skills.Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines simultaneously.Strong communication skills with shipping lines, brokers, suppliers, customers, and internal teams.Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and logistics-management systems.Experience with ERP, TMS, freight-forwarding, container-tracking, or shipping-line platforms is advantageous.Knowledge of UAE/GCC customs and port procedures is advantageous.Experience with Jebel Ali Port, Dubai logistics operations, or regional shipping networks is advantageous.FIATA, IATA, logistics, customs, supply-chain, or other relevant certifications are advantageous but not required.What We OfferFlexible part-time working opportunities within a professional international logistics and supply-chain environment.Competitive compensation aligned with experience, shipping expertise, and documentation responsibilities.Opportunity to develop expertise across ocean freight, international trade, customs coordination, shipping documentation, and supply-chain operations.Exposure to global shipping lines, freight-forwarding networks, ports, customs processes, logistics technologies, and international customers.Professional development opportunities and continuous learning in freight operations, trade compliance, documentation, and supply-chain management.A collaborative and fast-paced environment where accuracy, reliability, communication, compliance, and operational excellence are highly valued.