Sr. Ocean Freight Specialist - The Americas

Job description

Company Description Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets. Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros. Continental's tire division employs more than 56,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites. Job Description HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT The Ocean Freight Specialist is responsible for managing and optimizing all ocean transportation operations, including carrier selection, contract negotiations, shipment execution, and cost control. This role ensures efficient, compliant, and cost-effective international freight movement while maintaining strong relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and internal stakeholders. Ocean Freight Operations Oversee daily ocean freight activities, including booking, documentation, tracking, and exception management Ensure timely and accurate shipment execution from origin to destination Manage inbound and outbound ocean shipments across global trade lanes Monitor transit times and implement improvements to service performance Carrier & Vendor Management Develop and maintain relationships with ocean carriers, and freight forwarders Support Purchasing with the negotiation of freight contracts, rates, and service agreements Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with key logistics providers Monitor vendor performance against KPIs and SLAs Cost Optimization & Budget Management Identify cost-saving opportunities across lanes, carriers, and routing strategies Manage and monitor ocean freight spend against budget targets Support freight procurement strategies, including RFPs and bid analysis Risk Management & Issue Resolution Proactively identify and mitigate risks such as port congestion, capacity constraints, and delays Resolve shipment disruptions, claims, and exceptions in a timely manner Manage service claims and dispute resolution with carriers Collaboration & Stakeholder Management Partner with internal teams including procurement, supply chain, warehousing, and customer service Coordinate with regional logistics teams to ensure alignment across global operations Provide regular reporting and insights to leadership on performance and cost trends Reporting & Analytics Track KPIs including transit time, on-time delivery, cost per TEU, and carrier performance Develop dashboards and reports to support data-driven decision-making Analyze shipping patterns and recommend process improvements SG 11 Qualifications WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field 5+ years of experience in ocean freight/logistics operations Strong knowledge of Incoterms (DAP, FCA, FOB, CIF, etc.) Experience with ocean carrier contracts and rate negotiations Familiarity with global shipping documentation and customs processes Proficiency in TMS, ERP systems, and Microsoft Office Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Excellent negotiation and vendor management capabilities Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills Detail-oriented with a focus on operational excellence Legal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Continental is able to offer visa support for internal candidates or for those individuals who hold existing valid employment visas. A relocation package can be offered if needed ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STAND OUT 7+ years of experience in ocean freight/logistics operations Experience managing North America (US/CAN) or global ocean logistics Knowledge of port operations and drayage coordination Experience with digital freight platforms and visibility tools Advanced excel skills Additional Information THE PERKS Immediate Benefits Robust Total Rewards Package Paid Time Off Volunteer Time Off Tuition Assistance Employee Discounts, including tire discounts Competitive Bonus Programs Employee 401k Match ­ Diverse & Inclusive Work Environment with 20+ Employee Resource groups. Hybrid Work Employee Assistance Program ­ Future Growth Opportunities, including personal and professional And many more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader! All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. EEO-Statement: EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to Careers@conti-na.com or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back. Ready to drive with Continental? Take the first step and fill in the online application.