About the Role
Title- Assistant Manager – Ocean Operations
Location: Pune, Magarpatta
Position Overview: The Assistant Manager – Ocean Operations will be responsible for managing and overseeing end-to-end ocean freight operations, covering both FCL and LCL shipments. The role will involve shipment planning and execution, booking and scheduling, coordination with shipping lines and freight forwarders, documentation, shipment tracking, exception management, and timely delivery follow-up. The role will also be responsible for ensuring operational accuracy, compliance with applicable shipping and trade requirements, effective stakeholder coordination, and continuous improvement of ocean freight processes. The position will provide operational guidance and support to team members while ensuring smooth and efficient handling of increasing shipment volumes.
Responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:
- End-to-End Ocean Freight Operations:
- Manage the complete lifecycle of FCL and LCL ocean shipments, from shipment planning and booking through documentation, vessel movement, tracking, and final delivery.
- Coordinate with shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, suppliers, warehouses, and other logistics partners for smooth shipment execution.
- Handle shipment bookings, vessel schedules, cut-off timelines, cargo readiness, container planning, and documentation requirements.
- Monitor shipment milestones and proactively follow up on delays, rollovers, schedule changes, container-related issues, and other operational exceptions.
- Ensure timely coordination for cargo pickup, stuffing, container movement, port processes, vessel departure, transshipment, arrival, and delivery.
- Ensure shipments are executed within agreed timelines and operational requirements.
- Handle day-to-day operational queries and resolve shipment-related issues through effective coordination with internal and external stakeholders.
FCL & LCL Shipment Management:
- Manage FCL export and import shipments, including container booking, equipment availability, shipping line coordination, cut-off management, and shipment tracking.
- Manage LCL shipments, including coordination with freight forwarders/consolidators, cargo readiness, consolidation schedules, documentation, and shipment tracking.
- Coordinate with relevant parties to ensure timely cargo movement and avoid unnecessary delays, demurrage, detention, storage, and other additional costs.
- Monitor container and cargo movement and ensure timely escalation of operational exceptions.
- Coordinate with warehouses, suppliers, freight forwarders, and transporters to ensure cargo is available and moved as per the planned sailing schedule.
Documentation & Trade Compliance:
- Ensure accurate and timely preparation, verification, and submission of ocean shipping documentation.
- Handle and review documents such as Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin, Shipping Instructions, and other applicable shipping and trade documents.
- Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve documentation discrepancies.
- Ensure shipping documentation is complete and accurate within defined timelines.
- Handle preferential and non-preferential Certificates of Origin and coordinate with relevant stakeholders for issuance and submission.
- Ensure compliance with applicable international trade, customs, shipping, and documentation requirements.
- Maintain proper operational records and documentation for audit and compliance purposes.
Shipping Line & Freight Forwarder Coordination:
- Coordinate with shipping lines and freight forwarders for bookings, schedules, rates, equipment availability, documentation, and shipment execution.
- Follow up on vessel schedules, rollovers, delays, transshipments, port congestion, and other operational issues.
- Monitor service levels and operational performance of logistics service providers.
- Escalate recurring service issues and coordinate corrective actions with service providers.
- Support negotiations and discussions related to operational requirements, service quality, and freight-related issues.
Stakeholder Management:
- Act as a key point of contact for internal stakeholders regarding ocean freight shipments and operational matters.
- Coordinate with Procurement, Planning, Finance, Warehouse, Supply Chain, Customs, and other relevant departments to ensure smooth shipment execution.
- Provide timely shipment status updates and highlight potential delays or risks.
- Ensure alignment between shipment requirements, cargo readiness, documentation, and delivery timelines.
- Handle operational escalations and coordinate with relevant stakeholders for timely resolution.
Team Coordination & Support:
- Provide day-to-day operational guidance and support to team members handling ocean freight activities.
- Support the team in managing FCL and LCL shipment volumes and operational priorities.
- Review operational activities for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with defined processes.
- Train and guide junior team members on ocean freight processes, documentation, systems, and operational procedures.
- Support the team in resolving complex shipment-related issues and exceptions.
- Ensure appropriate allocation and prioritization of operational activities within the team.
Cost Control & Process Improvement:
- Identify opportunities to improve ocean freight processes, shipment planning, operational efficiency, and service quality.
- Monitor and minimize avoidable costs such as demurrage, detention, storage, documentation charges, and other operational expenses.
- Support freight and logistics cost optimization through effective shipment planning and coordination.
- Identify recurring operational issues and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Contribute to the development and improvement of SOPs, process controls, and operational best practices.
- Monitor key operational performance indicators and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Business, Commerce, or a
related field.
Experience
• 7–9 years of relevant experience in Ocean Freight Operations.
• Strong hands-on experience in managing both FCL and LCL shipments.
• Experience in end-to-end ocean freight operations, shipment coordination, documentation, and
carrier/freight forwarder management.
• Prior experience in handling or coordinating a team will be preferred.