Ocean Booking Agent

About Ascent

Ascent Global Logistics, headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, is a leading global provider of expedited, time-critical logistics solutions and other direct transportation services. The company connects customers to its extensive carrier network, internal ground fleet and airline via its proprietary, digital PEAK freight marketplace, which provides robust carrier capacity and transparent pricing, backed by 24/7/365 logistics experts. Ascent’s offerings include air charter and ground expedited solutions as well as truckload, less-than-truckload, global forwarding, brokerage, and managed transportation services. The experienced Ascent team solves customers’ most challenging logistics needs by providing industry-leading service and top-tier satisfaction.

Our Guiding Principles

At the core of Ascent's culture is a strong commitment to excellence, driven by the passion and dedication of every team member. We're equally dedicated to going above and beyond for our customers, ensuring this commitment extends beyond our team and brings exceptional value to those we serve. We aim for perfect execution in everything we do and ‘play hard’ by creating an environment where tasks are performed with a can-do attitude from start to finish. We ‘play smart’ by delivering on our commitments in an honest, fair and ethical manner. We treat every person with whom we interface with the utmost dignity and respect. We understand that our teammates are our most valuable assets, so we ‘play together’ by making every effort to provide a professional and enjoyable experience, enabling careers to flourish and personal growth to be achieved.

What You’ll Do

The Ocean Booking Agent will be responsible to facilitate the accurate and timely movement of customer’s ocean import shipments, FCL and LCL from origin to destination in compliance with company standards and government agencies.

• Serve as the booking point of contact for ocean customers to ensure prompt and accurate service to exceed customer expectations.
• Be able to request freight quotations to include details such as container capacities, packing dimensions and weights, coding, etc.
• Effectively schedule ocean bookings for both hazardous and nonhazardous materials, simple and complex cargo shipments.
• Coordinates aspects of the routing and rating of ocean freight to include providing quotes to customers, working with international overseas agents, handling pick-ups and deliveries.
• Review daily booking activity from an operational and compliance perspective. Review routing, carrier selection, sailing schedules and transit time to ensure compliance with company and client expectations.
• Troubleshoot and resolve challenges preventing cargo movement including customs, logistical and technical challenges.
• Receives guidance for overall objectives; work with operations and within company and department policies and guidelines using independent judgment to achieve assigned objectives.
• Other duties as assigned

What You’ll Bring

• High school diploma or GED required.  College degree helpful. 
• Customer service: 2 years (Required)
• Freight Forwarding: 2 years (Preferred)
• NVOCC: 2 years (Preferred)
• Work hours required: ability to work first or second shift.
• Technical Experience: International logistics-Ocean, Understanding the movement of ocean freight.
• Language Skills: Relies on written and verbal communication. Able to respond to verbal and written inquiries from customers. Able to effectively present information to customers.  Communicates internally with all departments at the corporate office, with other terminals, third-party agencies, customers and prospects.
• Office Skills: Microsoft Word, Excel, and ten-key skills.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, rates, area, circumference, and volume.
• Specific Skills: Must possess a current valid driver’s license. Must be self-motivated, able to maintain confidentiality, honest, friendly, punctual, and organized, have a positive attitude and be able to work at times in a remote setting.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to prioritize multiple tasks. Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Physical Demands: Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature.

Ascent’s Competitive Benefits

• 401(k) and employer matching

• Life Insurance

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Short- & Long-Term Disability

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Wellness Program

• Paid Holidays

• Employee Recognition Programs

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Overtime, Differential & Bonus Pay