Senior Ocean Operations Associate

Responsibilities

• Execute end-to-end movement of ocean shipments within a regional network, including FCL and LCL imports and exports.
• Handle export ocean freight shipments according to local standard operating procedures and digital service-level agreements.
• Recommend ways to expand the operational footprint and contribute to growth in Qingdao.
• Recommend supply chain solutions for new clients and opportunities to the account management team.
• Ensure shipment quality, appropriate processes and metrics, on-time movement, and timely resolution of exceptions.
• Meet internal KPIs and SLAs demonstrating quality delivery.
• Serve as the primary contact for assigned shippers and clients, including first-level internal and external escalations.
• Work with gateway and regional management to establish metrics and data for operational performance.
• Monitor and improve operational performance while supporting growth.
• Act as a subject matter expert on key initiatives and operational improvements.
• Work with Account Management to design and iterate on feedback loops addressing client needs.
• Advise global counterparts, Product and Engineering, and Operations Excellence on ocean supply chain operations and regional gateway strategy.
• Optimize operational infrastructure and procedures, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity.
• Lead, train, and develop industry talent.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent BA/BS qualification.
• 3+ years of experience in logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain, ocean carrier operations, or consulting.
• Ocean freight knowledge is a plus.
• Hands-on, process-oriented, and structured approach to problem-solving.
• Strategic vision combined with ground-level execution.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, organizational, and client-service skills.
• Ability to manage relationships and build operational structures.
• Ability to investigate and troubleshoot customer problems, design processes, apply policies and best practices, and execute complex processes accurately.
• Ability to organize, lead, and participate in meetings.
• Ability to work cross-functionally in an ambiguous, rapidly evolving environment.

Nice to Have

• Experience building operational organizations and processes from the ground up.
• Experience leading teams, training colleagues, and developing talent.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative performance analysis.
• Experience in client advisory or account management.

Benefits and Career Development

• Opportunities to learn cross-functional execution, organizational development, operational strategy, and continuous process improvement.
• Potential career paths include people leadership, supply chain subject-matter expertise, and client advisory or account management.