Shipping Manager

Role Overview

Nejoum Aljazeera is seeking a Shipping Manager to lead vehicle shipments from the United States and Canada to the UAE, other Gulf destinations and other countries around the world. The role oversees the shipment from auction pickup through loading, ocean freight, customs clearance, and final delivery.

A core responsibility is securing competitive ocean freight rates and reliable bookings. The Shipping Manager will negotiate directly with shipping lines and freight forwarders, stay informed about current rates on key trade lanes, and select services based on total cost, confirmed space, transit time, and schedule reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor freight rates and compare offers. Maintain up-to-date rate benchmarks by trade lane and container type. Compare base rates, surcharges, handling fees, rate validity, and potential delay costs.
• Negotiate rates and shipping terms. Use shipment volumes and forecasts to negotiate competitive rates, space allocations, free time, and booking amendment or cancellation terms.
• Manage ocean freight bookings. Match sailings to vehicle readiness and loading schedules, confirm vessel space and container availability, and track cargo and documentation cutoffs. Secure alternative bookings when a sailing is cancelled or a shipment is moved to a later vessel.
• Oversee vehicle pickup, loading, and delivery. Coordinate auction pickups before storage charges apply. Work with towing providers, yard teams, and transport partners to verify vehicle identification numbers (VINs), document vehicle condition, and ensure vehicles are safely loaded and secured.
• Review shipping documents and coordinate customs clearance. Check vehicle titles, invoices, bills of lading, and export documents for accuracy. Work with customs brokers to resolve discrepancies and follow shipments through release.
• Keep shipment and yard records accurate. Track vehicle locations and status by VIN, conduct periodic inventory checks, and ensure customer service teams receive timely updates on arrivals, delays, and damage claims.
• Lead the team and control costs. Train and supervise operations staff, enforce safety procedures, and reconcile freight invoices against agreed rates. Track cost per container and per vehicle, on-time pickups and deliveries, and avoidable storage and delay charges.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience negotiating ocean freight rates and managing container bookings directly with shipping lines or freight forwarders.
• Strong knowledge of ocean freight markets, carrier schedules, routing options, and freight charges, with the ability to determine whether a quote is competitive for a given trade lane.
• Experience supervising logistics, shipping, or import/export operations, with practical knowledge of shipping documentation and customs processes.
• Proficiency in Excel and shipping, yard, or inventory management systems.
• Strong English communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to explain carrier choices and resolve operational issues under tight deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience pricing and booking vehicle shipments from North America to the UAE or wider Gulf region, with established relationships with carriers or forwarders serving those routes.
• Familiarity with vehicle auctions such as IAA and Copart, UAE vehicle customs clearance, or vehicle yard operations and safe use of handling equipment.
• Arabic language skills for coordination with local teams and customers.

Experience:

• Shipping documentation: 4 years (Required)
• Booking: 4 years (Required)

Work Location: In person