Import Specialist

Overview

Nippon Express Company, Ltd. (“NX”) was founded in 1872 in Japan and is headquartered in Tokyo.  NX employs approximately 72,000 employees at 733 locations, in 47 countries and 314 cities around the world. 

Nippon Express U.S.A., Inc. (“NEU”) was incorporated in New York in 1962 as a fully owned subsidiary of NX.  NEU provides logistics solutions and comprehensive transportation services through its international freight forwarding and logistics network, including specialized handling of: air, land, sea and express packages; all types and sizes of cargo; personal effects and household goods; fragile and perishable freight; and livestock.  NEU also provides related services, such as warehousing, distribution and customs brokerage and clearance. NEU operates at 55 locations in 27 states within the U.S., with approximately 1300 employees.  NEU has enjoyed tremendous growth and success as one of the top five international freight forwarders in the world. We connect people with products throughout the world.

Responsibilities

1, Primary Assignments:

An Import Specialist is responsible for leading the subordinate staff. They are also responsible for daily work such as preparing for Import Ocean & Air shipments, by checking for documentation, confirming arrival, and making available documents for pick up by another broker or passing them on to our own in house brokerage department in Chicago. In addition, they are responsible for preparing billing and arranging pick up and delivery of cargo when necessary. Please note, a complete list of procedures and job responsibilities is available in the OI & Air Import procedures.

Basic Overview of Job Responsibilities:

• Provide on the Job Training to subordinate staff or new staff who may be learning new assignments or who may be trying to improve their job skills or quality.  Teaching/Training ability is an essential requirement.  Subordinates need to be trained in every aspect of their job requirements.
• Leads the import department staff with your guidelines
• Supervise assigned staff for performance, improvement and job completion
• Managing all OT/Holiday work in each staff of Import department
• Give direct instructions, help or guidance to subordinates as needed
• Be aware of the needs of the staff and support those needs and report to Import Manager 
• Checking for pre-alerts and making corrections if necessary
• On board and arrival confirmation of shipments
• Trace and tracking shipments for steamship line, trucker or other station
• Document break bulk and distribution
• Preparation for customs clearance (include in bond transfer)
• Pre-filing arrangement
• Import documents and procedure compliance
• Passing on documents to brokers for customs clearance
• File necessary documents
• Arrange delivery (Include in-bond shipment)
• Monitoring for customs clearance
• POD entry
• Inventory
• Provide customer service and care to maintain customer satisfaction
• Negotiation with shipping companies.
• Documenting and reporting any irregularity
• Arranging warehouse work at NEU WH or other WH
• Issue billing invoice within 3days after delivery.
• Process payment to subcontractor and ETC.
• Cost negotiation and renewal with vender and ETC.
• Overseas communication for ocean import and SAT related matters
• Preparing quotation (estimate survey, collecting and calculation costs, issuing estimation letter) in timely manner.
• Follow up AP/AR in timely manner
• Preparation of statistical number and market report for Import Manager
• Check cargo security and safety
• Advise Import Manager of service failures or problems that need to be addressed to the client directly
• Advise Import Manager of behavior problems in import department.
• Reporting each category to Import Manager is required before finishing daily job task.
• Report the Import Manager of any concern as necessary.

2, Other Job Expectations:

• Teamwork – Must work professionally and effectively with key office and operation staff in order to achieve optimal team performance.
• Maintain Professional and Technical Knowledge by staying current with important industry issues and laws/regulations.
• Communication/Feedback – Accept feedback willingly; develop and maintain positive working relationships with management, peers and co-workers
• Process Improvement – Responsible for identifying and implementing new operations processes that increase efficiency and improve overall performance.
• Other assignments given by Supervisor or Manager depending on the needs of the department and other areas of Operation. Also refer to the “Assignment of Special Duties” section at page 7 of the Employee Handbook. Your future assignments will depend on the needs of the department, your performance and capabilities.

Pay Range: $70,000 per year. This range is a good faith estimate of the expected salary range for this position, based on a wide range of factors including qualifications, experience and training, operational and business needs and other considerations permitted by law.  At NEU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for the role.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalency certificate
• BA./B.S. or other college degree preferred
• Approximately 5 years of experience in department or international airfreight industry.
• Strong working knowledge of freight forwarding operations and techniques to maximize revenue and profit.
• Strong knowledge of freight forwarding pricing based on previous experience dealing with customers, airlines, trucking companies, other Company Branches, Regions and our international affiliated companies.
• Strong working knowledge of customer service with the ability to keep up and heighten NEU’s excellent handling processes and quality services.
• Satisfactory performance history
• Working Knowledge of general and Export Computer application technology
• Knowledge of international commerce (Incoterms, method, customs regulations, etc.)
• Knowledge of Department of Transportation (DOT), State, Federal and Interstate Commerce commission (ICC) regulation desirable
• Communication skills

Organization Relationships:

Will work with all levels in the organization.  Working closely with the warehouse staff and AGM

Work Environment:

(With or without accommodations) This position is predominantly sedentary office work, which involves sitting, typing, filing, and conversing on the phone.  Most communication is via email.  Occasionally going to the warehouse to check on cargo.

This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities and working conditions of the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

Nippon Express offers a generous Employee Benefits Package including:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision beginning the 1st of the month after 30 days.
• 401k with a company match
• Flexible Spending Accounts, HSA, Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Auto and Home policies, Commuter Benefits, and much more.
• Generous Vacation and Sick time.

Nippon Express USA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Salary : $70,000