Import Division Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Type: Full-Time (No Travel Required)

Company: Clutch Global Logistics, Inc.

Work Location: Blended (Office and Remote) - Lombard, IL

Basic Overview of Role and Responsibilities:

Clutch Global is seeking an experienced Import Division Manager to lead our import operations team. This role owns the performance, development, and day-to-day management of the import team; ensuring every shipment moves compliantly and profitably from origin to final delivery while building a team that operates at a high standard.

This is a hands-on leadership role. The ideal candidate has come up through freight forwarding operations, knows what "good" looks like on an import file, and is equally comfortable coaching an operator through difficult issues, developing strategies, or reporting departmental performance.

The successful candidate will assume responsibility for the below function.

Team Leadership 

• Directly manage, schedule, and balance workload across a team of import operators, adjusting for seasonal and account-driven volume swings
• Hire, onboard, and train new operators; build a structured ramp-up process for new team members
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide ongoing coaching; manage corrective action when needed
• Serve as the escalation point for operators on complex files, difficult customers, or carrier/agent disputes
• Build team morale and a culture of accountability and ownership within the import department

Operational Oversight

• Oversee the team’s end-to-end execution of the air and ocean import shipments — from file open through to final delivery

• Review and approve high-risk, high-value, or non-routine import files before they move

• Monitor shipment milestones across the team and drive resolution on exceptions and delays

• Ensure documentation accuracy across the department (entries, bills of lading, delivery orders, invoicing)
• Maintain and improve department SOPs for consistency across operators
• Keep the team current on regulatory changes affecting import processes
• Complete audits to ensure compliance with company standards.

Financial & Commercial Oversight

• Own profitability of the client import book — monitor file-level margins and department P&L

• Manage timely and accurate A/R and A/P billing for the import desk

• Identify and act on opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce cost without compromising service
• Responsible for costs procurement and markup strategy (with sales input)

Client, Sales, & Vendor Relations

• Act as the senior point of contact for key accounts on import-related issues
• Maintain strong working relationships with overseas agents, carriers, and customs brokers
• Ensure the team delivers consistent, proactive communication to clients on shipment status

Technology & Systems 

• Work with Director of Compliance to enhance the Import department’s use of CargoWise and assist with implementation of IT solutions 

• Continued support of implementation of new systems and continuous process improvement 

New Product Development 

• Identification of new products 

• Development of new product offerings 

• Implementation and oversight of new products 

Requirements

Required

• At least 5 years of experience in international freight forwarding, with meaningful time in import operations specifically
• Prior supervisory or team-lead experience — direct people management, not just operational ownership
• Experience with performance reviews
• Strong working knowledge of import and INCOTERMS
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

It is preferred, but not required, that candidates have the following:

• Experience with CargoWise
• Experience managing departmental P&L or profitability reporting
• Background in both air and ocean import modes, particularly FCL
• Experience with cost, vendor, and carrier sourcing
• Experience with rate management and quoting
• Experience with Ocean Contracts
• Experience with Client routed freight and Agent routed freight
• Bachelor's degree

Benefits

Compensation:

• Salary based upon experience
• Potential for Performance Bonus
• Annual Corporate Sponsored 401k Contributions

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• 401k Savings Plan (Traditional & Roth Plans)
• Health Insurance - employee and dependents PPO & HMO offered (Majority Funded by Employer)
• Dental Insurance - employee and dependents (Fully Funded by Employer)
• Vision Insurance - employee and dependents (Fully Funded by Employer)
• Short-term & Long-term Disability Insurance (Fully Funded by Employer)
• Group Life Insurance (Fully Funded by Employer)
• Various Additional Perks & Benefits

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