Company overview:
Peters & May, founded in 1973, has grown over five decades into a global leader in yacht transportation and logistics. We have remained committed to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction throughout our journey. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for our reliable, precise, and passionate approach to maritime logistics.
As we continue to expand our Global Freight Forwarding Division, out of our Fort Lauderdale Office, we are seeking an experienced Sea Freight Export Operator to join our team. This role will focus on the coordination and management of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), Out of Gauge (OOG), Breakbulk, and Project Cargo shipments worldwide.
About the Role:
As a Sea Freight Export Operator, you will be responsible for the end-to-end coordination of international ocean export shipments, with a particular focus on specialist cargo including RoRo, OOG, heavy lift, project cargo, and breakbulk movements.
The successful candidate will possess strong operational knowledge of vessel schedules, port operations, cargo securing requirements, and export documentation. You will work closely with carriers, port terminals, transport providers, overseas agents, and customers to ensure the successful execution of complex shipments worldwide.
What you will do / Duties & Responsibilities:
- Manage and coordinate international ocean export shipments from booking through to final sailing.
- Arrange bookings with shipping lines, RoRo operators, breakbulk carriers, and project cargo vessel operators.
- Coordinate export movements involving RoRo units, machinery, yachts, vehicles, construction equipment, containers, OOG cargo, and breakbulk shipments.
- Liaise with ports, terminals, stevedores, transport providers, and warehouses to ensure cargo readiness and timely delivery.
- Obtain and review cargo dimensions, weights, lifting points, stowage requirements, and method statements where applicable.
- Coordinate specialist transport including abnormal loads, escort vehicles, crane operations, lifting plans, and port handling requirements.
- Prepare and process all export documentation including Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing lists, export customs declarations, cargo manifests, certificates of origin, and shipping instructions.
- Ensure compliance with international shipping regulations, customs requirements, sanctions controls, and hazardous cargo regulations where applicable.
- Monitor vessel schedules and shipment milestones, proactively communicating updates and delays to customers and stakeholders.
- Issue pre-alerts and distribute shipping documentation to overseas offices, agents, and consignees.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with shipping lines, RoRo operators, project cargo carriers, port operators, customers, and overseas partners.
- Resolve operational issues and identify practical solutions to ensure successful shipment execution.
- Support the sales team with quotations, routing solutions, feasibility assessments, and operational guidance for specialist cargo opportunities.
- Review supplier invoices and process customer billing in accordance with company procedures.
- Ensure compliance with company SOPs, KPIs, quality standards, and monthly financial closing procedures.
- Stay informed of market developments, vessel schedules, carrier services, freight rates, and regulatory changes.
- Perform additional duties and projects as required.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 3–5 years' experience in ocean export operations within a freight forwarding, NVOCC, shipping line, or project cargo environment.
- Proven experience handling RoRo, Out of Gauge (OOG), Breakbulk, Heavy Lift, or Project Cargo shipments.
- Strong understanding of ocean freight export procedures, vessel operations, cargo handling requirements, and port processes.
- Experience coordinating oversized and high-value cargo movements.
- Knowledge of export customs procedures and international shipping documentation.
- Ability to interpret cargo dimensions, lifting requirements, stowage plans, and vessel loading constraints.
- Strong commercial awareness and understanding of ocean freight pricing structures.
- Excellent organisational and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and manage multiple shipments simultaneously.
Language Skills
- Fluency in English is required.
- Knowledge of Spanish and additional languages is a plus.
Flexible work from home options available.
