Senior Vessel Planner Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Traffic Manager

ABOUT ANTILLEAN MARINE SHIPPING CORP

Antillean Marine Shipping Corp is a trusted ocean freight carrier connecting Miami to the Caribbean, including Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Turks & Caicos and the Bahamas. As the company continues to grow under new leadership, we are focused on strengthening our brand presence, customer engagement, and community connection through consistent storytelling and marketing efforts.

Position Overview:

The Traffic Manager (Imports & Exports) leads the daily flow of import and export cargo for our shipping line. This person makes sure cargo moves on time, paperwork is correct, and work is done in a safe, compliant, and efficient way.

This role works with ports, terminals, customs, and internal teams to reduce delays, errors, penalties, and customer issues. Using Six Sigma principles, the Traffic Manager improves processes, tracks key results, finds root causes, and builds standard work to improve quality and consistency.

Key Responsibilities:

Traffic Operations Management (Imports & Exports)

• Lead daily import and export traffic based on vessel schedules and service plans.
• Coordinate each shipment from pre-arrival planning to discharge, loading, cargo release, export receiving, and sailing confirmation.
• Make sure all deadlines are met, including document cut-offs, terminal cut-offs, and government filing deadlines.

Import Traffic Management

• Manage import cargo from vessel arrival through cargo release, customs clearance, and final delivery.
• Work with terminals, port agents, customs brokers, and internal teams to ensure:
  • cargo is discharged and received on time,
  • import manifests are correct and updated when needed,
  • holds are cleared quickly, including customs, terminal, document, or agency holds,
  • delivery orders and cargo release steps are completed correctly.

• Handle import exceptions such as:
  • cargo shortages or overages,
  • damage reports and evidence collection,
  • holds and inspections,
  • detention or demurrage escalations and disputes.
• Make sure import documents match discharge lists, terminal records, and government requirements.

Export Traffic Management

• Manage export shipments from booking readiness through loading and vessel departure.
• Make sure export cargo meets all deadlines, including:
  • terminal receiving cut-off,
  • document cut-off,
  • VGM cut-off when needed,
  • special cargo approval and acceptance requirements.
• Oversee export documents and check them for accuracy, including:
  • Bills of Lading,
  • load lists and export manifests,
  • shipping instruction checks,
  • special cargo documents such as DG, reefer, and out-of-gauge cargo.
• Work with terminals and vessel planners to make sure loading is accurate and final load results are confirmed.

Government Agency & Regulatory Coordination (USCG / CBP / Customs)

• Serve as the main traffic contact for government and regulatory agencies, including:
  • USCG (United States Coast Guard) for vessel arrival and departure rules and security requirements.
  • CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) for cargo clearance, manifest rules, inspections, and holds.
  • Customs and border authorities in relevant locations for import and export clearance and compliance.
• Make sure all required filings, declarations, and operating documents are submitted correctly and on time, including:
  • arrival and departure reports,
  • cargo manifests and updates,
  • inspection and hold records,
  • security and compliance reports.

Coordinate responses to:

• • agency questions,
  • inspections,
  • document requests,
  • enforcement actions and required corrections.
• Escalate compliance risks, agency delays, and enforcement actions to senior management and the Compliance/Risk team when needed.

Documentation & Compliance Oversight

• Make sure all traffic documents are complete, correct, and compliant with:
  • CBP and customs rules,
  • port authority rules,
  • USCG reporting and security rules when needed,
  • IMO/SOLAS rules, including VGM when needed,
  • company standard work, SOPs, and internal controls.
• Maintain accurate records, including:
  • correct cargo descriptions and commodity codes,
  • routing and port codes,
  • shipper and consignee details,
  • weights, measurements, and unit counts.
• Reduce document errors, prevent rework, and avoid penalties or cargo delays.

Vessel Call, Port & Terminal Coordination

• Act as the main operations contact for terminals, stevedores, port authorities, port agents, and vessel operations.
• Manage vessel call performance, including discharge completion, loading progress, late cargo, and load list accuracy.
• Resolve problems that affect schedules, clearance, or cargo delivery.

Team Leadership & Operational Control

• Lead and develop traffic coordinators, documentation staff, and support team members.
• Assign work based on vessel schedules, volume, and compliance deadlines.
• Use standard work, checklists, escalation paths, and controls to keep processes consistent.
• Build a culture of accuracy, accountability, service, and continuous improvement.

Customer, Agent & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the escalation point for customers, freight forwarders, customs brokers, and agents on traffic or document issues.
• Work with customer service and commercial teams on service recovery and customer expectations.
• Communicate early about delays, rolled cargo, holds, and document issues.

Reporting, KPI Management & Six Sigma Improvement

• Track and report key measures such as:
  • cargo availability and release time,
  • on-time export cut-off performance,
  • document accuracy and number of corrections,
  • on-time manifest filing,
  • rolled cargo rate,
  • claims, penalties, delays, and other recurring problems.
• Use Six Sigma methods to find root causes, reduce defects, improve cycle time, and create standard work to prevent repeat issues.
• Support internal and external audits and provide clear records when needed.

Key Interfaces

• USCG / CBP / Customs authorities (as applicable)
• Port Agents / Vessel Operations
• Terminals / Stevedores / Port Authorities
• Customs Brokers / Freight Forwarders
• Customer Service / Commercial Teams
• Finance (billing, disputes, revenue protection)
• Compliance / Risk / Internal Audit
• Claims / Legal (as applicable)

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Diploma or bachelor's degree in logistics, maritime studies, supply chain, business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience in ocean shipping operations with import and export traffic experience.
• Experience leading operations or documentation teams.
• Strong knowledge of port operations, customs compliance, and shipping documents.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with CBP manifest and compliance systems.
• Experience handling government holds, inspections, and agency escalations.
• Experience with DG cargo rules and special cargo acceptance controls.
• Knowledge of port community systems and customs filing systems.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and accountability
• Strong attention to detail and compliance
• Good time management in a deadline-driven environment
• Strong communication, stakeholder management, and problem solving