Freight Operator

Job Description

Job Description

Destination Expediters handles tradeshow freight for exhibitors — the people who need their booth, equipment, and materials to arrive at the right venue, at the right dock, at the right time. In this world, a wrong code or a missed deadline doesn't mean a delayed package. It means someone's booth doesn't show up for their biggest sales event of the year.

We're a small, specialized team. We don't chase every shipper. We've built a reputation in the tradeshow freight world for being the house that calls you back — and we're hiring one person who wants to help us protect that reputation and grow it.

THE PATH

Operator (Day 1): $57,000–$70,000/year. You handle the full client communication and shipment cycle. Quote, execute, invoice. You're responsive — before the client has to ask.

Senior Operator (12–18 months): $70,000–$85,000/year. You own complex accounts independently. Your files don't need a second set of eyes before they go out. You've earned the trust.

Operations Lead (24–36 months): $85,000–$97,000/year. You run the day-to-day. Gregory handles relationships, direction, and the decisions that actually require him. You handle everything else. This is a seat worth building toward.

WHAT THIS JOB ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

Be honest with yourself before you keep reading.

This job involves a lot of detail work that doesn't feel important until the moment it's wrong. You'll review documentation for codes and deadlines that most people would skim. You'll follow up on carriers who haven't confirmed, update clients before they call you, and close out invoices that other people would let sit.

When a shipment runs into trouble on a Thursday evening, you work the problem. You don't look at your phone and calculate how far past 5 pm it is. Tradeshow move-in windows don't negotiate — and the clients on the other end of those shipments are counting on you to figure it out.

You'll also talk to clients who are stressed. Exhibitors dealing with tradeshow freight are often doing it for the first time, or they've been burned before. They need someone who can hear the anxiety in the email and respond with information — not reassurance, not vague updates. Actual information.

If the detail work sounds exhausting, or if "I'll respond first thing tomorrow" sounds like a reasonable default, this role isn't for you. That's not a knock — it's the wrong fit.

If you've worked in freight and you recognized every scenario above — and you're nodding, not wincing — keep reading.

$57,000 - $97,000 yearly

• Manage all client communication from initial request through final delivery — respond proactively, don't wait for clients to ask.
• Quote each shipment accurately to protect margin — evaluate complexity, timeline, and risk before pricing.
• Execute shipments end-to-end — coordinate carriers, manage documentation, track progress, close out files.
• Find problems before they become emergencies — review active shipments, flag issues, and have a plan ready.
• Complete invoicing accurately and on time — every closed shipment gets closed on the books.

Required:

• 2+ years in freight forwarding, logistics coordination, or related operations role.
• Proficiency with freight documentation — bills of lading, customs paperwork, and carrier confirmations.
• Strong written communication — clear, confident client-facing correspondence.
• U.S. work authorization.
• Ability to work onsite full-time.

You do NOT need:

• No tradeshow freight experience required — we will orient you to the tradeshow world.
• No specific software certification required — SAP and routing software experience is a bonus, not a barrier.

Destination Expediters handles tradeshow freight forwarding for exhibitors who can't afford surprises. Clients are standing at a booth trying to close deals — not tracking down their shipment or wondering if we got their email. We specialize in one vertical, and we're better at it than most because we answer when there's a problem, tell clients the truth before it costs them, and find issues before they become emergencies. The cheaper option exists. Clients call us because they've already tried it. We're building toward a 5-person team and a reputation as the company that calls you back — in an industry where that shouldn't be a differentiator, but still is.