Ocean Freight Operations Supervisor

Ocean Freight Supervisor

starting at $85,000+ | Full-Time | Hayward, CA

Join a growing international logistics company where you will lead an experienced operations team, drive operational excellence, and directly contribute to the success of global supply chain operations.

We are seeking a hands-on ocean freight leader with freight forwarding experience and a proven background overseeing employees. The ideal candidate is already operating at the Supervisor or Senior Supervisor level and can independently manage a team, daily operations, and escalations with limited management oversight.

What You’ll Do

As the Ocean Import & Export Operations Supervisor, you will oversee daily ocean import and export operations while leading and supporting a team of logistics professionals. Your responsibilities will include:

• Lead, train, mentor, and oversee Team Leaders and operations staff to maintain strong performance and customer service.


• Take ownership of daily ocean import and export operations, including documentation, cargo movement, customs clearance coordination, and shipment execution.


• Ensure compliance with U.S. Customs, FMC, DOT, TSA, and all applicable trade and transportation regulations.


• Manage customer escalations, shipment delays, claims, service issues, and operational exceptions with professionalism and urgency.


• Monitor staffing, workloads, productivity, and departmental KPIs to ensure operational efficiency and service excellence.


• Improve operational workflows and standard operating procedures (SOPs) while identifying opportunities to increase productivity and profitability.


• Support new customer implementations, account retention, and business growth initiatives.


• Coordinate with steamship lines, carriers, customs brokers, truckers, warehouses, vendors, overseas agents, customers, and internal departments.


• Conduct employee coaching, training, performance evaluations, and career-development planning.


• Assist leadership with budgeting, forecasting, operational reporting, and strategic planning.


• Foster a collaborative and accountable Yenvironment focused on customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.

What We’re Looking For

• Minimum of 5 years of ocean freight forwarding experience, including both import and export operations.


• With a Minimum of 2 years of team leadership, supervisory, or equivalent leadership experience.


• Current or recent experience at the Team Lead, Supervisor, Senior Supervisor, or comparable level.


• Strong operational knowledge of both ocean import and ocean export processes.


• Experience overseeing, training, coaching, and supporting operations staff.


• Ability to take ownership of a team and manage daily operations with limited management oversight.


• Proven ability to independently resolve operational challenges and escalations.


• Strong understanding of ocean freight documentation, customs clearance, Incoterms, regulatory compliance, and carrier/vendor coordination.


• Excellent customer service, communication, and relationship-building skills.


• Strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.


• Ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines in a fast-paced freight forwarding environment.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.


• High school diploma or equivalent required; additional education in logistics or supply chain management is a plus.