Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Cargo Logistics Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

A Cargo Logistics Specialist is responsible for end-to-end coordination of the movement of goods across modes (air, ocean, road, rail). This role manages shipment documentation, customs clearance, carrier relationships, freight cost optimization, and on-time delivery performance while ensuring compliance with international trade regulations and company processes. The ideal candidate brings operational rigor, excellent communication, and hands-on experience with TMS/ERP systems and freight documentation (AWB, B/L, HBL, commercial invoices, packing lists, export/import permits).

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Associate / Shipping & Receiving Clerk
Import/Export Clerk
Freight Coordinator / Customer Service Representative (Logistics)

Advancement To:

Senior Cargo Logistics Specialist / Lead Operations Specialist
Logistics Manager / Freight Manager
Supply Chain Operations Manager

Lateral Moves:

Freight Forwarder / Freight Sales Coordinator
Customs Brokerage Specialist / Compliance Analyst
Carrier Operations or Procurement Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Coordinate and manage international and domestic cargo shipments from origin to destination, including air, ocean, road, and intermodal transport, ensuring on-time, compliant delivery and proactive exception handling.
Prepare, review and manage all required shipping documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, airwaybills, certificates of origin, export declarations, ISF filings) to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
Facilitate customs clearance for imports and exports by completing customs paperwork, coordinating with customs brokers, submitting necessary permits and licenses, and resolving classification and duty issues (HTS code determinations).
Negotiate freight rates, service contracts and capacity agreements with carriers, consolidators, and local drayage providers to secure competitive pricing and reliable service levels.
Create and maintain accurate shipment records in the Transportation Management System (TMS) or ERP (e.g., SAP, Oracle, CargoWise), update tracking status, and ensure audit-ready documentation.
Manage carrier selection and booking processes, including space reservations for ocean/air shipments, selecting appropriate service levels (FCL/LCL, LTL/FTL), and optimizing routing for cost and transit time.
Monitor shipments in-transit using track-and-trace tools, proactively manage exceptions and delays, and communicate status updates to internal stakeholders and customers.
Calculate and allocate freight costs, duties, taxes and ancillary charges, prepare cost comparisons, and reconcile carrier invoices against contracts and bills of lading.
Oversee cargo consolidation, palletization, labeling and packaging specifications to meet carrier, international, and hazardous materials requirements, minimizing damage and claims exposure.
Manage cargo insurance placement and claims processing: file claims for loss and damage, liaise with insurers, prepare supporting documentation, and pursue recovery with carriers and brokers.
Ensure compliance with hazardous materials (HAZMAT/DG) shipping regulations (IATA/ICAO for air, IMDG for ocean) by verifying documentation, proper packaging, labeling and carrier acceptance.
Perform import/export compliance screening, including denied party screening, export control checks, embargo and sanction checks, and maintaining up-to-date trade compliance records.
Collaborate with procurement, sales, warehouse and customer service teams to sequence shipments, prioritize orders, and resolve order routing or delivery discrepancies.
Support inventory visibility and cross-docking operations by coordinating inbound appointments, yard moves, and handoffs between carriers and distribution centers.
Generate and analyze KPIs and operational metrics (on-time delivery, transit times, freight cost per unit, claim rate), prepare weekly/monthly logistics reports, and present findings to management for continuous improvement.
Lead root cause analysis for recurring shipping issues, implement corrective actions and process improvements to reduce costs, transit times and exceptions.
Manage third-party logistics (3PL) relationships: monitor performance, SLA adherence, invoice accuracy and support regular business reviews to align service levels with company needs.
Execute export control and licensing activities for controlled goods, work with export control officers to determine license requirements and maintain audit trails for regulatory inspections.
Coordinate customs audits, respond to government inquiries and maintain compliance documentation to support regulatory inspections (e.g., CBP, customs authorities).
Provide front-line customer support for shipping-related inquiries, proactively communicate delays, and work to resolve discrepancies impacting customers’ supply chains.
Train and mentor junior logistics staff and cross-functional colleagues on shipping processes, documentation standards, and systems usage to maintain consistent operational excellence.
Support supply chain planning by providing transit time input, carrier capacity forecasts, and identifying opportunities for route consolidation or mode shifts.
Execute cost recovery activities by validating exceptions, reallocating costs, and issuing debit/credit memos to customers or vendors where applicable.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, carrier routing changes, fuel surcharges, port congestion impacts and trade regulation updates; disseminate relevant information to stakeholders.

Secondary Functions

Maintain accurate master data (carrier profiles, routing guides, incoterms, account numbers) in TMS/ERP and ensure data integrity for reporting and billing.
Assist in quarterly rate and contract renewals by preparing performance data, benchmarking carrier performance and supporting negotiations with procurement.
Support ad-hoc reporting requests, create shipment summaries and freight spend analyses to inform budget and sourcing decisions.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives including process mapping, automation projects (EDI/API feeds), and streamlining documentation workflows to reduce manual effort.
Help coordinate emergency logistics responses during disruptions (weather, port closures, strikes) by sourcing alternate routing and communicating contingency plans.
Facilitate cross-border documentation for intercompany shipments, bonded transit and temporary imports/exports including ATA carnets when required.
Support internal audit and compliance tasks by preparing shipment evidence packs and responding to information requests from legal or compliance teams.
Represent the logistics team in project rollouts (new carrier integrations, TMS enhancements, tariff changes), testing processes and training impacted users.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of international freight documentation (AWB, B/L, HBL, commercial invoice, packing list, export declarations).
Proficient with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and common ERPs (CargoWise, SAP TM, Oracle, Descartes).
Strong Microsoft Excel skills including VLOOKUP, pivot tables, data cleansing and basic macros for freight analysis.
Familiarity with customs regulations, tariff classification (HTS), valuation rules, and duties/tax calculations.
Experience with freight quoting, rate negotiation, and contract management for air, ocean and road carriers.
Working knowledge of Incoterms and their impact on responsibility, cost allocation and documentation.
Experience with carrier EDI integrations, API tracking feeds and track-and-trace solutions.
Understanding of hazardous materials regulations (IATA, IMDG) and handling procedures for DG shipments.
Ability to prepare and manage claims documentation for loss, damage and shortage (proof of delivery, inspection reports).
Competence in cost allocation, freight audit and pay processes, and reconciling carrier billing discrepancies.

Soft Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills to coordinate with carriers, customs, customers and internal teams.
Strong attention to detail and accuracy for documentation and regulatory compliance.
Problem-solving mindset with ability to work calmly under pressure and resolve time-sensitive exceptions.
Effective negotiation and vendor management skills to secure capacity and control freight spend.
Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple shipments and deadlines simultaneously.
Customer-focused orientation with a service-first attitude for internal and external stakeholders.
Analytical thinking to interpret KPIs, identify trends and recommend process improvements.
Team player who can collaborate across operations, procurement, sales and finance.
Adaptability and resilience to manage changes in routing, regulations and global disruptions.
Initiative and ownership to drive projects and follow through to completion.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required; vocational certificate in logistics or shipping preferred.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, International Business, Business Administration, or related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics & Transportation
International Business / Trade
Business Administration
Industrial Engineering / Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years in freight forwarding, cargo operations, or logistics coordination.

Preferred: 3–7 years’ experience handling international imports/exports, customs clearance, and carrier negotiations in an operational logistics role; experience with TMS and freight audit/pay systems preferred. Certifications such as IATA Dangerous Goods, Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), or customs brokerage credentials are a plus.