Operations Manager – International Freight Forwarding

Open Position

Salary - $90,000 - 100,000 + bonus



Operations Manager – International Freight Forwarding

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Operations Manager to lead and oversee the daily operations of a busy international freight forwarding department, with responsibility for air, ocean, and ground transportation.

Reporting directly to the President, the successful candidate will oversee the operations team, including the Freight Forwarding Operations Supervisor, ensuring efficient shipment execution, operational profitability, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service.

This role requires a strong leader who can balance strategic oversight with hands-on operational involvement, develop a high-performing team, and drive continuous improvement across all aspects of freight forwarding operations.

Key Responsibilities

Operations Management

- Oversee the daily coordination of international air, ocean, and ground freight shipments, from booking through final delivery.
- Ensure accurate and timely execution of freight documentation, pickups, consolidation, cargo positioning, transit, customs coordination, and delivery.
- Monitor shipment schedules, service performance, and customer requirements to ensure freight moves efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Manage complex shipments and provide hands-on operational support, including personally coordinating air and ocean shipments when required.
- Identify potential service disruptions and proactively implement solutions to minimize delays, financial exposure, and operational risk.
- Ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, customs requirements, bonded cargo procedures, and applicable legislation.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships with carriers, trucking providers, overseas agents, and service partners.

Leadership & Team Development

- Lead, motivate, and develop the freight forwarding operations team, including supervisory personnel.
- Establish operational objectives,



performance expectations, and clear accountability.
- Oversee workload distribution, staffing priorities, and daily productivity.
- Conduct performance evaluations, provide coaching, and identify training and development opportunities.
- Ensure employees remain current with industry regulations, certifications, procedures, and best practices.
- Foster a positive, collaborative work environment built on trust, respect, accountability, and teamwork.
- Address employee concerns and resolve internal conflicts promptly and professionally.

Financial & Operational Performance

- Monitor shipment profitability, transportation costs, and operational efficiency.
- Negotiate competitive freight and trucking rates while maintaining service quality and profitability.
- Prepare customer quotations and support pricing decisions when required.
- Ensure timely and accurate customer invoicing and vendor invoice approvals.
- Evaluate existing processes, standard operating procedures, and operational systems to identify opportunities for improvement.
- Implement strategies to enhance productivity, service quality, cost control, and overall profitability.
- Monitor the accuracy and effective use of freight forwarding software and operational data.

Customer Service & Business Support

- Maintain a high standard of customer service and serve as an escalation point for complex issues and disputes.
- Resolve shipment discrepancies, customer concerns, and service-provider disputes efficiently and professionally.
- Ensure timely communication with customers regarding shipment status, documentation, rates, and service updates.




- Collaborate with Sales and Management to support customer retention, service improvements, and business growth.
- Participate in management and sales meetings, providing operational insights, recommendations, and solutions.
- Stay informed of industry trends, market conditions, transportation regulations, and supply chain developments.

Qualifications & Experience

- Extensive experience in international freight forwarding operations, with strong knowledge of both air and ocean import/export shipments.
- Proven experience managing or supervising freight forwarding operations teams.
- Strong understanding of FCL, LCL, air cargo, trucking, consolidation, customs documentation, and bonded shipments.
- Experience managing carrier relationships, negotiating transportation rates, and maintaining shipment profitability.
- Demonstrated ability to develop operational procedures, improve workflows, and resolve complex logistics challenges.
- Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Excellent organizational abilities, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities.
- Proficiency with freight forwarding software, operational reporting, and shipment management systems.
- Strong customer service orientation and a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
- Ability to work independently, make sound operational decisions, and remain hands-on when required.



What Makes This Opportunity Attractive?

- Direct reporting relationship to the President, with the prospect to influence operational decisions.
- Leadership responsibility for an established international freight forwarding operations team.
- Opportunity to contribute to operational strategy, process improvement, and business performance.
- A dynamic role combining people leadership, international logistics, customer relationships, and operational problem-solving.
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on service quality, team development, and profitability.

📌 Operations Manager (Brampton)
🏢 Top Tier Talent Group
📍 Brampton