Operations Specialist

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Operations Specialist to join our growing logistics team in Istanbul. The ideal candidate will have 5–10 years of hands-on experience in international freight forwarding and logistics operations , with solid knowledge of Ocean, Air, and Ground Transportation .

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing shipments from booking through final delivery, ensuring operational accuracy, timely execution, customer satisfaction, and effective communication with customers, carriers, overseas agents, trucking companies, warehouses, customs brokers, and internal teams.

This is a hands-on operational role requiring strong follow-up, problem-solving, and coordination skills across multiple transportation modes.

Key Responsibilities

Transportation Operations

• Manage the end-to-end operational process of international and domestic shipments.
• Coordinate and monitor Ocean, Air, and Ground Transportation shipments.
• Handle FCL/LCL ocean shipments and air freight shipments.
• Coordinate domestic and international trucking activities.
• Manage bookings, pickups, deliveries, routing, and shipment schedules.
• Monitor ETD, ETA, transit times, delivery appointments, and shipment milestones.
• Coordinate with carriers, airlines, trucking companies, warehouses, overseas agents, customs brokers, and customers.
• Proactively identify potential delays and take corrective action.

Shipment Management

• Manage shipments from booking/order receipt through final delivery .
• Ensure all shipment milestones are properly followed and updated in the company system.
• Monitor shipment status and provide proactive updates to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate changes in routing, schedules, delivery requirements, and transportation modes.
• Ensure shipments are handled according to customer-specific SOPs and service requirements.
• Manage multiple shipments and priorities simultaneously.

Documentation

• Prepare, review, and manage transportation and shipping documentation.
• Ensure documentation is complete, accurate, and submitted within required deadlines.
• Manage documents including, where applicable:
• Bill of Lading / Sea Waybill
• Air Waybill
• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Shipping Instructions
• Delivery Orders
• Arrival Notices
• Proof of Delivery
• Import / Export documentation
• Coordinate documentation amendments and corrections with carriers, airlines, customers, and overseas offices.

Customer & Vendor Coordination

• Maintain regular communication with customers regarding shipment status and operational requirements.
• Provide timely and accurate shipment updates.
• Coordinate with overseas agents and international offices.
• Communicate with ocean carriers, airlines, trucking companies, warehouses, customs brokers, and other service providers.
• Resolve operational issues and customer escalations professionally.
• Build strong working relationships with operational partners.

Exception Management

• Proactively identify and resolve operational issues related to:
• Vessel delays and rolled bookings
• Flight delays or cancellations
• Trucking delays and missed appointments
• Port and airport congestion
• Customs holds
• Container or equipment shortages
• Documentation discrepancies
• Demurrage / detention
• Storage
• Cargo damage or shortages
• Delivery issues
• Develop practical solutions and communicate them clearly to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Escalate critical issues when required.

Financial & Operational Control

• Review carrier, airline, trucking, warehouse, and other vendor invoices for accuracy.
• Monitor additional operational costs, including:
• Demurrage
• Detention
• Storage
• Waiting time
• Handling charges
• Accessorial charges
• Ensure operational activities are performed in line with agreed customer rates and SOPs.
• Identify opportunities to reduce unnecessary operational costs.
• Maintain accurate shipment and financial records.

Internal Coordination

• Work closely with Sales, Customer Service, Pricing, Finance, Customs, Warehouse, and other Operations teams .
• Support Sales with operational feasibility and customer requirements.
• Provide operational input for quotations and customer proposals when required.
• Assist in developing and maintaining customer-specific SOPs.
• Ensure smooth handover between Sales and Operations.
• Support continuous improvement of operational processes.

Requirements

• 5–10 years of experience in freight forwarding, logistics, or transportation operations.
• Strong hands-on experience in Ocean, Air, and Ground Transportation .
• Solid understanding of international and domestic freight forwarding processes.
• Experience with both import and export operations.
• Strong knowledge of transportation documentation and shipment processes.
• Experience working with carriers, airlines, trucking companies, warehouses, customs brokers, and overseas agents.
• Strong understanding of shipment milestones, transit times, delivery processes, and exception management.
• Good knowledge of demurrage, detention, storage, accessorial charges, and other operational costs .
• Strong problem-solving and follow-up skills.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good command of English , both written and verbal.
• Experience with a TMS, ERP, or freight forwarding operating system is preferred.
• Strong MS Office skills, particularly Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a freight forwarding, NVOCC, 3PL, or global logistics company .
• Experience managing international customers and overseas agents.
• Experience across Ocean, Air, and Ground transportation modes .
• Knowledge of customs and international trade processes.
• Experience with global logistics networks.
• Experience with customer-specific SOPs and control tower operations is a plus.
• Experience with project cargo or specialized transportation is an advantage.

Success in This Role

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Ensure shipments move on time and according to customer requirements .
• Proactively monitor and manage Ocean, Air, and Ground shipments.
• Minimize operational errors, delays, and unnecessary costs.
• Maintain strong communication with customers and service providers.
• Resolve operational issues quickly and effectively.
• Maintain accurate shipment documentation and system updates.
• Become a reliable operational point of contact for assigned customers and shipments.
• Support the broader Operations team in delivering a consistent, high-quality customer experience.

As a global logistics company, we are committed to delivering excellence through disciplined operations, transparency, and ethical business practices. We value diversity and inclusion, and we proudly provide equal opportunities without discrimination on the basis of religion, language, race, gender, or any other personal characteristic.