Assistant Manager - Import Operations (Sea Freight)

About the role

A growing international freight forwarding and logistics company, specialising in sea freight, cross-border transport, customs coordination and multimodal cargo across Pakistan and Central Asia, is hiring an Assistant Manager for sea freight import operations in Karachi. The role owns confirmed shipments from pre-alert and document review through arrival, clearance, delivery, container return, billing support and file closure, acting as the main link between customers, overseas agents, shipping lines, ports, terminals, clearance partners and transporters.

Key responsibilities

• Manage FCL and LCL sea-import shipments end to end, from booking validation and origin follow-up through delivery, empty-container return and closure.
• Review import documents (Bills of Lading, pre-alerts, manifests, delivery orders) and coordinate amendments with agents, shipping lines, NVOCCs and customers to avoid delays.
• Coordinate with shipping lines, agents, NVOCCs, terminals, port-handling vendors, transporters and customs agents, and escalate service failures or unreasonable charges.
• Keep customers informed at each milestone, explain documentation, clearance, free time and cost implications, and own escalations until closure.
• Verify vendor invoices against quotations and agreed rates, resolve discrepancies, and provide accurate billing instructions to Finance and customers.
• Prepare shipment cost sheets and quotations, compare supplier options, and apply approved margin guidelines.
• Follow up daily on active files, coordinate with Pricing, Sales, Finance and regional operations, and report risks and performance trends to management.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Commerce or a related field.
• 3-5 years of freight-forwarding experience, with substantial hands-on responsibility for sea freight imports in Karachi; current or recent freight-forwarding employment is mandatory.
• Ability to manage multiple active import shipments independently and to work with shipping lines, NVOCCs, customs agents, transporters and port stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication in English and Urdu.

Required skills

• FCL and LCL shipments, Bills of Lading, pre-alerts, import documentation, delivery orders, free time, demurrage and detention, port handling and container return.
• Shipment costing, vendor billing verification, customer billing instructions and operational reconciliation.
• Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Outlook; familiarity with freight-management or ERP systems is preferred.