Ocean Freight Manager

Position SummaryRAM International Shipping is seeking an experienced Ocean Freight Manager to oversee and grow our ocean freight operations. The position is responsible for day-to-day import and export activities, carrier relationships, pricing, operational performance, customer service, and team leadership.The ideal candidate has strong freight forwarding experience, understands both FCL and LCL ocean transportation, and can balance operational execution with commercial growth, cost control, and customer satisfaction.Key ResponsibilitiesManage the daily operations of the Ocean Freight department, including both imports and exports.Oversee FCL, LCL, door-to-door, port-to-port, and multimodal shipments.Supervise ocean freight coordinators and provide guidance, training, and operational support.Ensure bookings, shipping instructions, VGM, documentation, manifests, arrival notices, delivery orders, and other shipment requirements are completed accurately and on time.Develop and maintain relationships with steamship lines, NVOCCs, trucking companies, terminals, CFS facilities, warehouses, and overseas agents.Negotiate ocean freight rates, service terms, allocations, free time, and other commercial terms with carriers and vendors.Work closely with the sales team to provide competitive pricing and develop transportation solutions for new and existing customers.Review shipment profitability and identify opportunities to improve margins and reduce operational costs.Monitor vessel schedules, bookings, rollovers, port congestion, demurrage, detention, storage, and other potential shipment delays or additional costs.Handle operational escalations involving customers, carriers, overseas agents, terminals, and vendors.Ensure customers receive timely shipment updates and that operational issues are communicated proactively.Establish and maintain SOPs and internal procedures for ocean freight operations.Ensure shipment files are properly documented, invoiced, closed, and maintained according to company requirements.Review vendor invoices, customer billing, accruals, and shipment profitability.Monitor department performance, shipment volume, revenue, gross profit, and service levels.Assist management with ocean freight strategy, carrier selection, pricing programs, and business development.Ensure ocean freight operations follow applicable FMC, NVOCC, export, and international transportation requirements.Support the development of new trade lanes, overseas agent relationships, and carrier partnerships.Identify operational problems and implement process improvements to improve efficiency and customer service.QualificationsMinimum 5 years of ocean freight forwarding experience, with management or supervisory experience strongly preferred.Strong knowledge of both ocean import and export operations.Experience handling FCL and LCL shipments.Strong understanding of steamship line booking procedures, documentation, cutoffs, container movements, demurrage, detention, and port operations.Experience negotiating rates and working directly with ocean carriers and NVOCCs.Knowledge of FMC/NVOCC requirements and international freight forwarding practices.Strong customer service and problem-solving skills.Ability to manage multiple shipments, customers, deadlines, and operational priorities simultaneously.Strong leadership and team-management skills.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Strong computer skills and experience working with freight forwarding or TMS systems.Experience with pricing, shipment costing, and profit analysis preferred.Preferred QualificationsExisting relationships with ocean carriers, NVOCCs, overseas agents, and logistics vendors.Experience developing carrier relationships and international trade lanes.Experience supporting sales and business development activities.Experience with project cargo, RoRo, breakbulk, or specialized ocean freight is a plus.Key Performance ExpectationsMaintain strong operational service levels.Reduce preventable demurrage, detention, storage, and documentation charges.Improve shipment profitability and vendor cost management.Maintain competitive ocean freight pricing.Improve carrier and vendor performance.Support growth in ocean freight volume and gross profit.Maintain high customer satisfaction and timely communication.Develop a knowledgeable, efficient, and accountable ocean freight team.About RAM International ShippingRAM International Shipping provides international freight and logistics solutions designed to help customers move cargo efficiently across global markets. Our team works closely with customers, carriers, overseas partners, and logistics providers to deliver reliable and cost-effective transportation solutions.We are looking for an Ocean Freight Manager who can take ownership of the department, strengthen our operations, develop our carrier relationships, and help grow RAM International Shipping's ocean freight business.