Import Ocean Freight Head

As the Import Ocean Freight Operations Manager, your primary responsibility will be to lead and manage the import ocean freight operations for FCL, LCL, and consolidation. This includes developing pricing strategies, negotiating rates with carriers, and maintaining strong relationships with shipping lines, co-loaders, and overseas agents. You will oversee pre-alerts, booking coordination, documentation, customs compliance, and end-to-end import shipment handling. Collaboration with internal departments such as sales, documentation, customer service, and finance will be essential to ensure timely cargo clearance and delivery. It will also be your duty to ensure compliance with all local and international import regulations, customs laws, and trade compliance requirements. You will be expected to develop and implement SOPs to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and turnaround time for import processes. Managing and mentoring the import operations team, allocating resources, setting KPIs, monitoring performance, and providing ongoing training will also be part of your role. Monitoring departmental P&L, ensuring cost control, and preparing regular budgets will be crucial. Collaboration with the sales and business development teams to identify new opportunities and grow the import customer base is also a key aspect of your job. Maintaining high standards of customer service, promptly resolving issues, and ensuring consistent client satisfaction are essential. Generating regular MIS/reports for senior management on import operations, cost efficiency, and process improvements will also be part of your responsibilities. To excel in this role, you should possess a strong knowledge of international import practices, customs clearance procedures, documentation, and INCOTERMS. Excellent leadership and people management abilities, along with strong negotiation, analytical, and communication skills, are also required.,