Ocean Import Finance Specialist

Our client is in the freight / import / logistics industry and they are currently seeking an Ocean Import Finance Specialist to join their team.

Salary/Hourly Rate:

60k – $67k

Position Overview:

The Ocean Import Finance Specialist will be performing daily finance review activities related to the processing of vendor invoices, customer invoices, discrepancies, and disputes. Working knowledge of ocean-specific costing and transaction structure is necessary. This position leverages a general understanding of the operational processes of the ocean import transportation functions along with customer service level expectations and agreed pricing to ensure that the services procured are costed and paid appropriately and timeously to vendors, and invoiced timely and accurately to customers. This position supports operations and account management in furnishing supporting documentation to collect on outstanding invoices and may follow up directly with customers for collection as necessary. Timely review of vendor statements and providing feedback to the vendors / carriers about their outstanding invoices is a core function as well. This will be fully on site and the company offers 26 remote days per year.

Responsibilities of the Ocean Import Finance Specialist:

• Review draft payables for exceptions both from the vendor and client billing and work to resolve timeously to ensure vendors are paid correctly and customers are invoiced timely and accurately
• Use role-specific tools such as the Ocean Carrier Statement workflow to review, dispute, and approve payments for ocean freight and ancillary charges to ocean carrier partners
• Ensure accurate and timely client and vendor billing, within Expeditors and customer standards
• Interact with our customers regarding invoicing for services provided
• Contribute to maintaining good relationships with suppliers (Shipping lines, trucking companies, and others involved)
• Understand department process flow, and look for best practices to improve operational efficiency and productivity
• Support with review and update of customer SOPs related to financial activity as necessary
• Meet KPI standards in accordance with the company’s procedures
• Ensure accurate and timely data entry into our operational system, per Operational Performance Standards (OPS)
• Provide timely responses to emails and voicemails (internal and external)
• Escalate problems to management when necessary

Qualifications of the Ocean Import Finance Specialist:

• 3+ years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience in financial/AP/AR or transportation-related accounting
• Understanding of ocean transportation and related charges and documentation a plus
• Intermediate level Excel skills Competent with Microsoft Office suite
• Effective interpersonal skills including proven abilities to listen, comprehend, and effectively communicate clearly and concisely to obtain positive results
• Proactive with strong organizational skills

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree is preferred

Benefits:

• Health
• Vision
• Dental
• 401k
• Paid time off and more