Air Export Epecialist

Description

Key Responsibilities

Airfreight Export Operations

• Independently manage international air export shipments from initial booking through final departure and destination handoff.
• Handle the complete shipment lifecycle, including rate requests, quotations, bookings, pickup coordination, documentation, airline tendering, and pre-alerts.
• Negotiate competitive rates with airlines, co-loaders, trucking companies, and overseas agents.
• Prepare and review air waybills, commercial invoices, packing lists, and other export documentation.
• Coordinate AES/EEI filings and ensure compliance with applicable U.S. export regulations.
• Manage shipment exceptions, delays, routing changes, and operational challenges independently.
• Coordinate specialized, oversized, expedited, and time-sensitive shipments.

Customer & Agent Relationships

• Serve as the primary operational contact for assigned customers and overseas partners.
• Provide proactive shipment updates and resolve service issues promptly.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airlines, overseas agents, vendors, and trucking partners.
• Respond to rate requests and operational inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

Financial & Operational Accountability

• Review shipment costs and ensure accurate entry of all operational expenses.
• Maintain appropriate profit margins and identify opportunities to improve shipment profitability.
• Ensure all applicable accessorial charges, handling fees, and operational expenses are recovered.
• Review vendor invoices against quoted and agreed rates.
• Ensure timely and accurate billing of completed shipments.
• Maintain complete and accurate shipment files within the company's operating systems.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on international airfreight export experience.
• Ability to independently manage a full export desk with minimal supervision.
• Strong knowledge of airline booking procedures, routing, consolidation, and airfreight documentation.
• Working knowledge of AES/EEI, export compliance, and international shipping requirements.
• Understanding of Incoterms and international freight forwarding procedures.
• Experience negotiating rates and managing vendor relationships.
• Strong understanding of shipment costing, profitability, and operational expense recovery.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Minimum of 3 years CargoWise experience.

Preferred Experience

• Aerospace and aviation logistics experience.
• AOG (Aircraft on Ground) shipment coordination.
• Experience handling aircraft engines and other specialized cargo.
• Knowledge of oversized and heavy-lift airfreight requirements.
• Established relationships with airlines and international freight forwarding networks

What We Are Looking For The ideal candidate is an experienced freight forwarding professional who takes ownership of their desk and understands what it takes to run successful export operations.

We are looking for someone who:

• Can manage shipments independently without requiring constant direction.
• Takes responsibility for operational decisions and shipment outcomes.
• Understands that revenue, cost control, and profitability are equally important to successful operations.
• Anticipates problems rather than waiting for them to happen.
• Maintains strong customer relationships through communication and follow-through.
• Is organized, accountable, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment.

This position is intended for an experienced operator who can immediately contribute to the export department and manage an established workload independently.