Ocean Export Trade Manager

JAS is an international, non-asset-based supply chain services and solutions company. Our services include air and ocean freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage, distribution, inbound logistics, truckload brokerage and other supply chain management services, including consulting, the coordination of purchase orders and customized management services.

The Ocean Trade Manager is responsible for strategically developing and managing carrier relations for ocean services in conjunction with global, USA, and local guidelines and needs. This role supports growth by strengthening carrier partnerships, optimizing procurement outcomes, improving trade competitiveness, and delivering strategic pricing and market guidance to internal stakeholders across commercial, operations, customer service, and branch teams. This position plays a vital role in ocean procurement, trade development, contract and rate management, market intelligence, and branch support, with a strong focus on driving profitable growth, service reliability, and alignment across the JAS network.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Negotiate and manage the US Export trade, providing market information and rate negotiations, as well as coaching sales and operations regarding the ocean product’s particularity in each trade
• Lead rate negotiations and commercial discussions with carriers to secure competitive pricing, service commitments, and favorable contract terms
• Support branch offices, commercial teams, customer service teams, and key stakeholders with trade specific strategy, market guidance, and pricing solutions.
• Driving procurement strategy for U.S. Ocean business, including contract opportunities, carrier selection, trade priorities, and capacity planning.
• Manage and support customer tenders, RFQs, and strategic bids by coordinating carrier pricing, analyzing market conditions, and aligning responses with business objectives.
• Analyze, performance, procurement results, and trade KPIs to identify opportunities for improvement, cost control, and stronger carrier alignment.
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes by contributing relevant market data, procurement insights, and trade lane trends.
• Manage contract implementation, rate filings, and procurement tools to provide accurate, timely access to market offerings and internal pricing resources.
• Continuously review and improve procurement workflows, communication methods, and trade support processes as business needs evolve.
• Work closely with other JAS offices globally to align trade strategy, support network opportunities, and to strengthen end-to-end solutions.
• Manage special projects and ensure continuous guidance to commercial channels and customer service teams as well as Global Account Manager (GAM).
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory (FMC), contractual, and JAS internal policy requirements related to ocean freight procurement and trade.
• Participate in carrier meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategic discussions representing JAS Ocean Services and its trade objectives.
• Function as Corporate Sponsor for Key Client Relationships, where requested.
• Work closely with the World Ocean Team (WOT) on all aspects of our global business needs.
• Perform other position related duties as specified by management.

Education & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required
• BA or BS Degree preferred
• Ten plus (10+) years of experience in the freight forwarding or shipping industry required within ocean operations and/or procurement experience

Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of ocean freight products, services, and trade‑lane dynamics
• Strong proficiency in ocean pricing, carrier procurement, and rate negotiation
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Additional languages are a plus
• Excellent organizational skills with strong attention to detail
• Ability to multitask effectively and meet deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Highly energetic, assertive self‑starter with a positive, confident personality and strong interpersonal skills

Supervisory Responsibility:

• The incumbent will not directly and/or indirectly supervise employees at this moment.

Environment:

• 100% performed in climate-controlled internal office environment working under normal office conditions. Travel will be (up to 10%) required in support of the position’s responsibilities.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand; walk; use hands and finger to feel and handle; reach with arms and hands; talk and hear. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, and crouch; lift weight or exert a force up to a maximum of 25 pounds.

Additional:

Follow the Company HR Policy, the Code of Business Conduct and department policies and procedures, including protecting confidential company information, attending work punctually and regularly, and following good safety practices in all activities.

The responsibilities associated with this job will change from time to time in accordance with the Company’s business needs.More specifically, the incumbent may be required to perform additional and/or different responsibilities from those set forth above.

The above declarations are not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job described, nor are they intended to be such a listing of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Rather, they are intended only to describe the general nature of the job.

DEFINITIONS: (if any abbreviation, the meaning needs to be inserted)

JAS Forwarding (USA), Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.Where required by state law and/or city ordinance; this employer will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTSJAS USA IS A CUSTOMS BROKER, GOVERNED BY FEDERAL REGULATION. FEDERAL REGULATIONS PROVIDE THAT JAS MAY HAVE IT BROKERAGE LICENSE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED IF IT “KNOWINGLY EMPLOYED, OR CONTINUES TO EMPLOY, ANY PERSON WHO HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY, WITHOUT WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THAT EMPLOYMENT FROM THE ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER.” JAS WILL PERFORM A BACKGROUND CHECK TO DETERMINE IF YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY AND IF SO, ABSENT SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, YOU WILL NOT BE HIRED OR WILL BE TERMINATED IMMEDIATELY.