Direct Import Operations Coordinator

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Direct Import Operations Coordinator based in the United States. This role is focused on coordinating day-to-day international import operations within a fast-paced eCommerce and retail environment. You will manage shipment readiness, bookings, documentation, and milestone tracking across a complex network of global partners. The position requires close coordination with factories, freight forwarders, customer traffic teams, and third-party logistics providers. You’ll play a key role in keeping shipments on schedule and identifying risks before they affect customers or operations. Success requires exceptional organization, attention to detail, and confident follow-up across multiple stakeholders and time zones. The role is particularly well suited to someone who thrives in high-volume environments and enjoys keeping complex logistics processes moving smoothly. Monitor open purchase orders, shipment readiness, cargo-ready dates, and planned ship dates to ensure import activities remain on schedule. Coordinate shipment bookings with factories and freight forwarders, ensuring bookings are secured within required customer shipping windows. Follow up on booking confirmations, vessel allocations, shipment milestones, and potential capacity constraints. Review and process factory documentation, ensuring import and shipping paperwork is accurate, complete, and delivered on time. Generate customer shipping document packets and upload or distribute them through customer portals and traffic-team channels. Receive inventory into the relevant ERP system and assemble invoice-supporting documentation before or immediately after shipment departure. Maintain shipment logs and accurately report key milestones throughout the import lifecycle. Coordinate with at least five parties per shipment, maintaining proactive communication and strong follow-up across factories, freight forwarders, customers, and other logistics partners. Identify and promptly escalate delays, missing information, documentation issues, booking problems, and other exceptions that could impact shipment performance. Support high-volume peak-season operations involving 100+ active purchase orders or individual containerized shipments. Contribute to improved booking performance, documentation accuracy, milestone visibility, and reduced administrative workload for operations teams. Requirements 2–5 years of professional experience in international import operations, supply chain coordination, or a closely related field. Hands-on experience with international logistics, including FOB shipments, import/export documentation, customs requirements, and global shipping procedures. Experience supporting U.S. retail import programs, ideally involving major retailers such as Costco, Walmart/Sam’s Club, Target, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s, or similar organizations. General ERP proficiency, with experience using Microsoft Dynamics NAV or Business Central 365 preferred; candidates without this specific system experience can be trained. Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word. Familiarity with global import documentation processes and the creation, review, and distribution of shipping documents. Ability to communicate firmly and professionally with factories, freight forwarders, agents, and other external partners. Comfortable coordinating across multiple time zones and working closely with U.S.-based teams. Strong attention to detail, organization, time management, and follow-through, particularly when managing numerous concurrent shipments. Ability to identify exceptions quickly, assess potential operational impact, and escalate issues appropriately. Preferred experience includes working with international 3PL warehouse facilities, factories in Asia such as China, Vietnam, or Cambodia, and freight-forwarder platforms such as E