Account Manager, Ocean Operations

About Ascent

Ascent Global Logistics, headquartered in Belleville, Michigan, is a leading global provider of expedited, time-critical logistics solutions and other direct transportation services. The company connects customers to its extensive carrier network, internal ground fleet and airline via its proprietary, digital PEAK freight marketplace, which provides robust carrier capacity and transparent pricing, backed by 24/7/365 logistics experts. Ascent’s offerings include air charter and ground expedited solutions as well as truckload, less-than-truckload, global forwarding, brokerage, and managed transportation services. The experienced Ascent team solves customers’ most challenging logistics needs by providing industry-leading service and top-tier satisfaction.

Our Guiding Principles

At the core of Ascent's culture is a strong commitment to excellence, driven by the passion and dedication of every team member. We're equally dedicated to going above and beyond for our customers, ensuring this commitment extends beyond our team and brings exceptional value to those we serve. We aim for perfect execution in everything we do and ‘play hard’ by creating an environment where tasks are performed with a can-do attitude from start to finish. We ‘play smart’ by delivering on our commitments in an honest, fair and ethical manner. We treat every person with whom we interface with the utmost dignity and respect. We understand that our teammates are our most valuable assets, so we ‘play together’ by making every effort to provide a professional and enjoyable experience, enabling careers to flourish and personal growth to be achieved.

What You’ll Do

The Account Manager is responsible for managing our customers’ import/export brokerage and freight forwarding needs, which includes overseeing all operational and account management tasks throughout the lifecycle of an engagement. 

• Demonstrate critical thinking and make key decisions on behalf of our customers throughout the lifecycle of the shipment.  Upon receipt of an initial customer request, the Account Manager is responsible for requesting and analyzing various shipping options and making a recommendation to the customer based on price, transit time, routing, and specific customer requirements. 
• Monitor the loading, departure, transit, arrival, and final delivery of the shipment for any issues that may arise.  If unforeseen events occur, the Account Manager must problem solve, relying on past experience and extensive knowledge of Federal Maritime Commission and U.S. Customs regulations, and partner internally and externally to resolve the issue to our customer’s satisfaction. 
• Serve as the direct point of contact with assigned customers to ensure prompt and accurate service to exceed customer expectations.
• May be required to prepare and execute documents for U.S. Customs and other government agencies to obtain proper release and duty payment.
• Quote rates by partnering with our internal quote department and utilize critical thinking skills to determine best routing and carrier options for our customers and the business of Ascent.
• Ensure billing is accurate and timely.
• Maintain and help create Company policies related to credit, pricing, account management, and required service deliveries.
• Act as power of attorney to sign official documents for the Company.
• Maintain and organize all records for a client’s transactional event(s).
• Stay informed on various legal requirements to maintain compliance under import/export regulations throughout the world.
• Prepare letters of credit.
• May make visits to customer locations with the General Manager or the assigned Sales Executive. 
• Receives guidance for overall objectives; work with operations and within company and department policies and guidelines using independent judgment to achieve assigned objectives.
• Other duties as assigned. 

What You’ll Bring

• CES or CCS Preferred, LCB Helpful
• High school diploma or GED required.  College degree helpful. 
• 3-5 years industry experience required.
• Language Skills: Relies on written and verbal communication. Able to read, analyze and interpret financial reports, industry journals and legal documents. Able to respond to verbal and written inquiries or complaints from customers. Able to effectively present information to customers, prospects, top management, and public groups. Communicates internally with all departments at the corporate office, with other terminals, third parties agencies, customers and prospects.
• Technical Experience:  International logistics-all modes, understanding of customs process
• Office Skills: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and ten-key skills.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply concepts such as percentages, ratios and proportions to practical situations.  Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, rates, area, circumference, and volume.
• Specific Skills: Must possess a current valid driver’s license. Involves a high degree of responsibility for working with, safeguarding, and controlling highly restricted information, knowledge, or important confidences and criterion-related to research and development of customer data, future plans, policies, business prospects, finances, etc. the release of which could have a detrimental effect and impact on the company’s affairs or undermine its competitive position. Must be self-motivated, able to maintain confidentiality, honest, friendly, punctual, and organized, have a positive attitude and be able to work unsupervised.
• Reasoning Ability: Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects. Solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions in written, oral, diagram or schedule form Prioritize, organize, and delegate assignments.
• Physical Demands: Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature.

Ascent’s Competitive Benefits

• 401(k) and employer matching

• Life Insurance

• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance

• Short- & Long-Term Disability

• Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Employee Assistance Program

• Paid Parental Leave

• Employee Wellness Program

• Paid Holidays

• Employee Recognition Programs

• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Overtime, Differential & Bonus Pay