Trade Merchant Assistant / Import-Export Logistics Coordinator

Company Description Goetz and Sons, Inc. is a global market leader specializing in the processing and merchandising of cotton fiber by-products. With more than 70 years of domestic and international operations, the company has built long-standing relationships across the textile and commodities industries. Goetz and Sons, Inc. focuses on sustainable utilization of cotton by-products, supporting both environmental responsibility and supply chain efficiency. Team members join a stable, well-established organization that values integrity, reliability, and collaboration in a global trading environment.The Trade Merchant Assistant will support commodity merchants with the logistics and administration involved in importing and exporting goods. This position requires a highly organized, detail-oriented individual who can manage multiple shipments simultaneously and communicate effectively with vendors, customers, carriers, warehouses, steamship lines, and internal departments. The successful candidate must be willing to learn the company’s proprietary software and have advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat. Key Responsibilities Assist merchants with the coordination of domestic and international cargo shipments.Arrange and monitor multiple shipments from vendors to customers.Negotiate freight rates and service terms with steamship lines, trucking companies, freight forwarders, carriers, and warehouses.Schedule pickups, deliveries, container bookings, and warehouse appointments.Track shipments from origin through final delivery and provide timely status updates.Identify and help resolve delays, documentation issues, freight discrepancies, and other logistical problems.Prepare, review, and organize shipping and export documentation, letter of credits, including bills of lading, cash against documents, commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, delivery orders, and other required documents.Ensure shipping documents are accurate, complete, and submitted by the required deadlines.Maintain organized electronic records for each shipment.Prepare customer invoices and provide supporting shipment documentation.Track estimated and actual shipment costs, including freight, warehousing, drayage, detention, demurrage, and other related charges.Review freight invoices and supporting documentation for accuracy.Notify the accounting department whether freight and logistics payables are correct and approved for payment.Communicate regularly with merchants, vendors, customers, warehouses, carriers, and the accounting department.Maintain shipment schedules, cost-tracking reports, and other internal spreadsheets.Assist with inventory and shipment reconciliations when needed.Follow company procedures and applicable import/export requirements.Perform other administrative and logistics-related duties as assigned.Qualifications and Skills Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple shipments, priorities, and deadlines.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and maintaining detailed tracking spreadsheets.Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat.Excellent written and verbal communication skills.Strong attention to detail and commitment to document accuracy.Ability to negotiate professionally with freight and logistics providers.Strong problem-solving and follow-up skills.Ability to work independently while also collaborating with merchants, accounting personnel, and other team members.Comfortable learning proprietary software and new logistics systems.Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment where shipment priorities may change.Previous experience in logistics, freight forwarding, import/export operations, shipping documentation, or commodity trading is preferred.Knowledge of Incoterms, bills of lading, international shipping procedures, and import/export documentation is preferred.