Air Freight Import Account Manager
The Air Freight Import Account Manager is responsible for the overall ownership, management and growing key customer accounts within the air import division, with a primary focus on customs clearance, regulatory compliance, and exceptional customer service. This role oversees the end-to-end import process from cargo arrival through final delivery, ensuring timely customs clearance, seamless shipment coordination, and compliance with all applicable government regulations. The position requires a strong understanding of import operations, U.S. Customs regulations, account management, and customer engagement to achieve business objectives while maintaining profitability and service excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain full ownership of assigned air import customer accounts, ensuring exceptional customer service and timely communication throughout the import process.
- Manage air import shipments from pre-arrival through customs clearance, release, and final delivery, ensuring all customer requirements and service commitments are met.
- Coordinate and oversee customs clearance activities, ensuring complete and accurate documentation and compliance with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Partner Government Agencies (PGAs), and all applicable import regulations.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, customs brokers, airlines, government agencies, trucking providers, and other key business partners.
- Review commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, air waybills, and other import documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Work closely with customs brokerage teams to resolve entry issues, customs holds, examinations, and regulatory requirements while minimizing shipment delays.
- Negotiate customer pricing and service agreements while maintaining competitive rates and profitable account margins.
- Identify opportunities to grow existing customer accounts by expanding import services, customs brokerage, and value-added logistics solutions.
- Proactively resolve customer concerns, shipment exceptions, customs delays, and service issues by providing timely and effective solutions.
- Coordinate with operations, warehouse, transportation, and customs brokerage teams to ensure smooth execution of import shipments.
- Monitor shipment performance and provide customers with shipment visibility, customs status updates, KPI reporting, and performance reviews.
- Analyze account performance, revenue, profitability, and operational metrics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and business growth.
- Collaborate with internal departments to improve operational efficiencies, streamline customs clearance processes, and reduce costs.
- Prepare regular reports on account performance, import activity, customs compliance, forecasts, and market trends for management.
- Stay informed on changes in customs regulations, tariff updates, trade policies, and import compliance requirements to provide customers with accurate guidance and maintain regulatory compliance.