Ocean Freight Specialist

About the role

DHL Global Forwarding is looking for an Ocean Freight Specialist to join its Doha team. You will support end‑to‑end ocean freight operations, ensuring smooth shipment processing, customer satisfaction and profitability for South African export traffic and regional gateways.

Key responsibilities

• Administer shipment activities from booking receipt to documentation and transport execution.
• Serve as the first point of contact for customers, handling shipment information, exceptions, complaints and claims.
• Manage routing, assign shipments, prepare accurate invoices and resolve invoice disputes.
• Execute regulatory compliance procedures for commodities and destinations.
• Maintain and grow relationships with existing clients, identify upsell opportunities and conduct customer visits.
• Identify and resolve performance issues with suppliers, propose improvements and share best practices.
• Create and confirm transport orders, optimise bookings and distribute import/export documents.
• Update customs shipment information, monitor physical status and address incidents.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience in ocean freight operations, customs documentation and rate/capacity procurement.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to own profitability of freight files.
• Excellent communication skills and a customer‑first attitude.
• Proactive problem‑solver able to work with cross‑functional teams.

Required skills

• Ocean freight operations knowledge.
• Customs documentation handling.
• Transportation Management System (TMS) usage.
• Rate and capacity procurement.
• Invoice preparation and dispute resolution.