Import/Export Coordinator

Are you an organized, forward-thinking logistics professional ready to elevate your career in global trade? Randstad Canada is currently partnering with an established international freight forwarding leader specializing in global beverage transportation to recruit an ambitious, collaborative Import/Export Coordinator to join their growing operations team. This permanent position can be based in either the Greater Toronto Area (Etobicoke) or Greater Montreal (Saint-Bruno). Aligned with our manufacturing & logistics specialization, this opportunity offers high visibility, full file ownership, and long-term career growth in the dynamic freight forwarding sector.

As an Import/Export Coordinator, you will take end-to-end operational ownership of international ocean freight shipments, serving key industry accounts and commercial stakeholders. Drawing from core principles of freight forwarding coordinators and logistics specialists (aligned with O*NET 43-5011.00: Cargo and Freight Agents), you will navigate international maritime regulations, coordinate seamless import operations, prepare critical shipping documentation, manage customs and liquor board compliance, and maintain proactive communication with carriers, overseas offices, and clients. Within our manufacturing & logistics division, you will manage end-to-end containerized shipments from booking to final billing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and superior service excellence.

Our recruitment specialists at Randstad are industry experts dedicated to connecting skilled talent with rewarding careers across Canadian supply chain networks. In this Import/Export Coordinator role within the manufacturing & logistics space, you will benefit from comprehensive, hands-on onboarding. The position begins with an initial five-day in-office training period (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) for the first six months to ensure thorough mentorship and operational alignment, followed by a flexible hybrid working model (3 days in office, 2 days remote). You will work alongside a collaborative, high-performing team of ocean freight specialists who value mutual support, proactive inquiry, and continuous learning.

Effective communication is essential for managing multifaceted international accounts and coordinating with global partners. Professional English proficiency (both written and oral) is required for all candidates, as you will correspond across worldwide supplier networks, commercial freight carriers, and international offices. For positions based in Greater Montreal, professional bilingualism in French and English is a significant asset to facilitate local stakeholder engagement and liquor board operations (such as the SAQ). Additionally, proficiency in Spanish is considered a valuable supplementary asset across both locations.

Randstad Operational: Secure a job that complements your skills, supports work-life balance, and powers your goals. Get access to a range of job opportunities through permanent, temp, or contract roles with the best employers, plus ongoing training from a trusted partner who cares about your working life and well-being.

Advantages
• Competitive base salary ranging from $55,000 to $70,000 per year, commensurate with freight forwarding experience.
• Annual performance-based bonus program.
• Comprehensive group benefits plan, including extended health care, dental coverage, and life insurance.
• Group RRSP plan with company matching contributions.
• Generous annual vacation allowance and personal paid time off.
• Attractive hybrid work flexibility (3 days in office / 2 days work-from-home) following an initial 6-month in-office training period.
• Supportive, growth-focused, and inclusive corporate culture within an internationally recognized supply chain leader.

Responsibilities
• Manage the complete end-to-end shipment lifecycle for international ocean import cargo, handling bookings, tracking, status updates, customs documentation, and final delivery.
• Act as the dedicated operational point of contact for clients and vendors, delivering prompt, professional, and solutions-oriented customer service.
• Prepare, audit, and process all mandatory shipping and clearance documents, ensuring compliance with international trade laws and regulated beverage industry requirements.
• Coordinate closely with internal commercial teams, international partner offices, ocean carriers, customs brokers, and domestic transport partners.
• Oversee file billing, vendor invoice reconciliation, cost allocations, and customer invoicing with strict attention to corporate accuracy standards.
• Anticipate potential shipment delays or customs holds, proactively troubleshooting logistics challenges and updating all stakeholders in real time.
• Foster and maintain positive professional relationships with external accounts, ocean carriers, and regulatory authorities.
• Support the broader manufacturing & logistics operations team by sharing knowledge, managing overflow tasks, and participating in continuous process improvement.

Qualifications
• Deep understanding of international freight forwarding, incoterms, ocean bill of ladings, arrival notices, customs clearance, and containerized transport.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to maintain strong client relationships and negotiate carrier space under challenging market conditions.
• Demonstrated critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills to resolve logistical exceptions effectively.
• High adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and an eagerness to take full ownership of operational files.
• Strong collaborative spirit and team-oriented approach, thriving in an interconnected environment across national offices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Outlook, Word) and quick adaptability to specialized freight forwarding enterprise software.
• 3 to 5 years of proven experience in international freight forwarding operations (ocean import focus strongly preferred).
• Post-secondary education (College Diploma, University Degree, or equivalent certification in International Trade, Supply Chain, or Logistics).
• Solid working knowledge of ocean import/export procedures, shipping documentation, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Experience handling shipments in the alcoholic beverage sector or working with provincial liquor control boards (LCBO, SAQ) is considered a strong asset.
• Professional fluency in English (verbal and written); French proficiency is an asset (strongly preferred for Montreal applicants), and Spanish proficiency is an additional asset.
• Availability to work full-time on-site during the initial 6-month onboarding program (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) before transitioning to hybrid.

Summary
Reach out to our expert recruiters today to discover exciting new career paths that match your unique ambitions if this position does not align with your goals.

Randstad Canada is committed to fostering a workforce reflective of all peoples of Canada. As a result, we are committed to developing and implementing strategies to increase the equity, diversity and inclusion within the workplace by examining our internal policies, practices, and systems throughout the entire lifecycle of our workforce, including its recruitment, retention and advancement for all employees. In addition to our deep commitment to respecting human rights, we are dedicated to positive actions to affect change to ensure everyone has full participation in the workforce free from any barriers, systemic or otherwise, especially equity-seeking groups who are usually underrepresented in Canada's workforce, including those who identify as women or non-binary/gender non-conforming; Indigenous or Aboriginal Peoples; persons with disabilities (visible or invisible) and; members of visible minorities, racialized groups and the LGBTQ2+ community.

Randstad Canada is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive and accessible workplace for all its candidates and employees by supporting their accessibility and accommodation needs throughout the employment lifecycle. We ask that all job applications please identify any accommodation requirements by sending an email to accessibility@randstad.ca to ensure their ability to fully participate in the interview process.