The Export Specialist - Air manages international air export operations and ensures the successful execution of complex shipments across global networks. They plan routings, resolve service exceptions, and balance customer requirements with operational and financial considerations. They serve as a primary point of contact for customers, carriers, and overseas partners, owning shipment performance from initiation through departure. They play a critical role in supporting business objectives and maintaining strong customer and carrier relationships.
Responsibilities
· Own and manage assigned air export accounts and shipments, exercising independent judgment in planning, execution, and issue resolution.
· Coordinate international air export shipments from booking through departure, determining optimal routings, carriers, and service levels.
· Prepare, review, and approve air export documentation, including MAWB/HAWB, commercial invoices, packing lists, and export filings, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
· Ensure adherence to applicable international trade regulations, airline requirements, TSA/IATA standards, and internal operating procedures.
· Utilize CargoWise and other systems to manage shipment data, track milestones, and maintain accurate operational records.
· Serve as a primary customer contact, providing proactive communication, managing expectations, and resolving service exceptions.
· Analyze shipment requirements and constraints to anticipate risks, mitigate delays, and implement corrective actions as needed.
· Collaborate with airlines, overseas agents, trucking providers, warehouses, and internal teams to ensure seamless execution.
· Review and validate rates, charges, and billing details to support accurate invoicing and margin control.
· Identify opportunities for process improvement, service enhancements, and cost efficiencies within air export operations.
· Support onboarding, training, or informal guidance of less experienced team members as needed.
· Represent the organization professionally with customers, carriers, and partners, supporting long-term relationship development.
· All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.
Qualifications
· Education: High School Diploma or GED equivalent required; undergraduate degree in logistics, supply chain, business, or a related field preferred.
· Certification/Licensure: IATA, FIATA, or other freight forwarding certifications preferred but not required.
· Experience: 2+ years of professional experience in international air export operations, freight forwarding, or global logistics.
· Demonstrated ability to work independently, prioritize workload, and make sound operational decisions in a fast-paced environment.
· Strong knowledge of air export documentation, Incoterms, and international shipping practices.
· Hands-on experience with CargoWise; experience with other transportation management systems/forwarding tools is a plus.
· Proven customer-facing communication skills with the ability to manage complex or escalated issues.
· Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
· Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.).
· Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting (listed in this posting), with travel for related meetings/events.
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Since 1990, Forward Air has been a leading provider of ground transportation and related logistics services to the North American air freight and expedited LTL market. We offer surface shipping on an accelerated “time-definite” basis, delivering cargo at a specific time, but under less time-sensitive situations – supplying you with a cost effective, reliable alternative to air transportation. We work with companies of all sizes to develop tangible advantages and build the best products to meet your specific needs. Forward Air presents to the wholesale transportation community (logistics companies, freight forwarders, integrated air cargo carriers, passenger/ cargo airlines, and non-traditional shippers), a single-source provider that can deliver more supply chain services and a superior menu of choices. Throughout the years we have added supplementary lines to our linehaul service, such as full truckload operations (Truckload Services), final-mile coverage (Complete® Cartage), and an Airline Logistics program, and we will continue to expand our services to meet the changing needs and growth of our customer base.
Forward Air is structured to optimize both savings and service to our customers. Direct partnerships with owner-operators and other surface transportation providers, enable us to remain cost-competitive. The Forward Air network is designed with over 90 facilities located at or near major U.S. and Canadian airports, 12 regional sort centers and over 300 beyond points (secondary airports provided through our Complete Cartage service), creating one of the most comprehensive linehaul networks in the industry.
The foundation product for Forward Air is our expedited linehaul service, offering consistent and reliable transit and on-time, damage-free deliveries. By locating terminals on or near airports and maintaining a scheduled transportation network, we are able to arrange for convenient and consistent service with broad geographic coverage. Shipments of varying sizes (TL/LTL) are received at our terminals and transported by contracted service providers either (1) on a direct truck to the destination terminal, (2) through our Columbus, Ohio central sorting hub, or (3) through one of our 12 regional hubs, where they are unloaded, sorted, and reloaded in rapid fashion. After reloading the shipments, our contracted service providers deliver them to the destination city for early morning recovery. Through our Forward Air Complete® cartage service, customers also can have shipments picked up from the shipper, delivered to the final consignee, or transferred at the airport, simplifying the freight management processes. These options allow us to maximize handling efficiency of each shipment while minimizing freight loss and damage, improving transit times over traditional ground transportation.