Ocean Export Documentation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

• Monday - Friday, occasional weekend and OT to meet business needs.
• 9:00 AM -5:30 PM

The Houston branch of Openwork has partnered with an international logistics company located in Houston to add an Ocean Export Agent to their growing team.If you have experience with international shipping and are seeking a long term career, we want to hear from you!
Position Summary
The Ocean Export Coordinator is responsible for managing international ocean
export shipments from booking through final departure, ensuring compliance with
customer requirements, carrier regulations, and company operating procedures.
What You'll Be Doing:

• The position serves as the primary point of contact for customers, overseas offices, carriers, terminals, truckers, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate shipment execution.
• Duties include export documentation, booking management, customer service, shipment tracking, carrier coordination, and operational problem resolution.

Export Operations

• Coordinate ocean export shipments from origin to vessel departure.
• Manage freight bookings with ocean carriers and NVOCCs.
• Confirm sailing schedules, routing options, and equipment availability.
• Monitor shipment milestones and proactively address service disruptions.
• Coordinate with warehouses, truckers, terminals, and steamship lines to ensure timely cargo movement.

Export Documentation

• Prepare and review export documentation, including:
  • Bills of Lading
  • Commercial Invoices
  • Packing Lists
  • Export Declarations
  • Shipping Instructions
  • Certificates and supporting export documents
• Verify documentation accuracy and compliance with customer and destination-country requirements.
• Request, receive, and distribute shipment documents to internal and external parties.

Customer Service & Communication

• Serve as primary customer contact for assigned export accounts.
• Respond to customer inquiries regarding shipment status, documentation, and schedules.
• Provide shipment updates and resolve operational issues.
• Coordinate closely with overseas offices and agents regarding export requirements and destination handling.

Carrier & Vendor Management

• Interface with ocean carriers regarding bookings, equipment, schedules, and service issues.
• Escalate carrier capacity constraints and routing challenges when necessary.
• Maintain relationships with transportation providers and service partners.
• Evaluate alternative routing solutions to meet customer requirements.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure compliance with:
  • FMC requirements
  • Export control procedures
  • Security and trade compliance regulations
  • Company operating procedures
• Support internal and external audits by maintaining shipment documentation and records.
• Follow hazardous cargo and security requirements when applicable.

Operational Administration

• Maintain accurate shipment records in company operating systems.
• Track shipment KPIs and file management metrics.
• Assist with invoicing support, shipment closeout, and document retention.
• Participate in operational meetings, customer training activities, and process improvement initiatives.

What We're Looking For:

• 3+ years of ocean freight forwarding or international logistics experience.
• Experience handling ocean export shipments.
• Knowledge of:
  • Ocean carrier operation
  • Export documentation
  • Incoterms
  • International shipping practices
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines simultaneously.

Preferred

• Freight forwarding industry experience.
• Knowledge of FMC regulations and export compliance requirements.
• Experience working with Japan trade lanes and overseas offices.
• Detail-oriented 7 customer-focused
• Strong organizational skills
• Problem-solving mindset
• Ability to work independently
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Sense of urgency in shipment execution
• Team collaboration

Performance Expectations

• Manage a high volume of export files and customer accounts.
• Maintain accurate and timely shipment documentation.
• Meet customer service expectations and shipment deadlines.
• Coordinate effectively with carriers, overseas offices, vendors, and internal departments.

• 401k with employer match
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid time off
• Holiday pay
• Life Insurance
• HSA/HSA
• LTD/STD/AD&D

Openwork is a candidate-focused staffing company on a mission to bring ease, accessibility, and thoughtfulness to an industry we’ve held a footing in for 50+ years. We believe there’s more to life than livelihood, but that finding your dream job, career, or team is a really good place to start.