Below is a professional and comprehensive Operations Manager Job Profile for Azimar Shipping LLC – Abu Dhabi, covering Sea Freight, Air Freight, Import/Export Operations, and Abu Dhabi Customs Clearance. # AZIMAR SHIPPING LLC ## JOB DESCRIPTION – OPERATIONS MANAGER **Sea Freight | Air Freight | Import & Export | Customs Clearance** **Company:** Azimar Shipping LLC\ **Location:** Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates\ **Department:** Freight Forwarding & Customs Operations\ **Position:** Operations Manager\ **Reporting To:** General Manager / Managing Director\ **Employment Type:** Full-Time ### Job Summary Azimar Shipping LLC is seeking an experienced, results-driven **Operations Manager** to lead and manage its complete freight forwarding and customs clearance operations in Abu Dhabi. The ideal candidate must possess extensive hands-on experience in **Sea Freight Import & Export, Air Freight Import & Export, Customs Clearance, and Freight Forwarding Operations**, with strong knowledge of UAE customs regulations and procedures. **The candidate must be Abu Dhabi Customs-certified or appropriately authorized and experienced in processing customs declarations through the applicable Abu Dhabi Customs systems, including ATLP (Advanced Trade and Logistics Platform).** The position requires strong operational leadership, commercial awareness, problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to manage shipments independently while ensuring efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction. ### Key Responsibilities **1. Sea Freight Operations – Import & Export** - Independently manage FCL, LCL, breakbulk, project cargo, and conventional sea freight shipments. - Supervise import and export documentation, shipping instructions, Bill of Lading processing, manifest coordination, and cargo release. - Coordinate with shipping lines, NVOCCs, overseas agents, transporters, terminals, and customers. - Manage container bookings, vessel schedules, cargo movements, delivery orders, and port operations. - Ensure timely customs clearance, container transportation, and delivery. - Monitor demurrage, detention, storage, and other operational costs. - Handle shipments through Khalifa Port, Jebel Ali Port, and other UAE ports as required. **2. Air Freight Operations – Import & Export** - Independently manage complete air freight import and export operations through Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and other UAE airports. - Coordinate airline bookings, cargo acceptance, Air Waybill issuance, customs documentation, and cargo release. - Manage import shipment pre-alerts, arrival notices, delivery orders, and airport cargo handling. - Coordinate with airlines, ground handling agents, customs authorities, and transport providers. - Ensure compliance with airline regulations, cargo acceptance requirements, and applicable dangerous goods procedures. - Monitor flight schedules, shipment movements, offloading, delays, and urgent cargo requirements. - Ensure timely delivery of time-sensitive and priority shipments. **3. Abu Dhabi Customs Clearance & Regulatory Compliance** - Independently supervise and execute import, export, transit, re-export, and temporary import customs clearance procedures. - Process customs declarations through Abu Dhabi Customs' authorized electronic systems and ATLP platform. - Ensure compliance with Abu Dhabi Customs regulations, tariff classifications, valuation requirements, and applicable trade restrictions. - Verify HS codes, customs duties, VAT, certificates of origin, permits, and shipment documentation. - Coordinate with Abu Dhabi Customs, AD Ports, airport authorities, and relevant government departments. - Handle customs inspections, documentation discrepancies, shipment holds, and clearance disputes. - Maintain proper customs records and ensure timely resolution of compliance issues. - Support company customs registrations, operational approvals, and regulatory requirements. **4. Operational Management & Team Leadership** - Lead and supervise sea freight, air freight, documentation, transportation, and customs clearance teams. - Allocate daily operational responsibilities and monitor shipment execution. - Establish effective SOPs to ensure consistency, accountability, and operational efficiency. - Ensure timely updates to customers and internal departments. - Monitor shipment profitability, operational expenses, and vendor performance. - Identify operational bottlenecks and implement corrective measures. - Ensure proper coordination between the Abu Dhabi office and other Azimar branches. - Train and develop operational staff to improve productivity and service quality. **5. Customer Service & Business Support** - Maintain strong working relationships with shipping lines, airlines, customs officials, port operators, and logistics service providers. - Support sales teams with operational pricing, feasibility assessments, and service solutions. - Handle customer escalations and resolve shipment-related issues promptly. - Negotiate competitive operational rates and service terms with suppliers. - Identify opportunities to reduce operational costs and improve shipment profitability. - Ensure accurate and timely billing, job costing, and operational file closure. - Work closely with sales and finance teams to support revenue growth and timely customer collections. ### Required Qualifications & Experience - Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or a related field. - **Minimum 7–10 years of freight forwarding experience in the UAE**, preferably with substantial Abu Dhabi operational exposure. - Minimum 3–5 years in a supervisory or managerial operations role. - **Abu Dhabi Customs certification, customs broker authorization, or other applicable customs-processing credentials is highly preferred; valid authorization to perform the required customs functions is mandatory.** - Proven hands-on experience in Abu Dhabi Customs clearance procedures and ATLP systems. - Strong expertise in both sea freight and air freight import/export operations. - Familiarity with Khalifa Port, Zayed Port, Zayed International Airport, and other UAE logistics gateways. - Strong understanding of customs documentation, Incoterms, HS classification, and international freight regulations. - Excellent negotiation, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. - Ability to manage urgent and complex shipments independently. ### Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The successful candidate will be evaluated on: - **On-Time Shipment Execution:** Minimum 95% operational performance against agreed service timelines. - **Customs Clearance Efficiency:** Timely clearance with minimal avoidable delays or penalties. - **Operational Profitability:** Control costs, improve job margins, and minimize revenue leakage. - **Documentation Accuracy:** Target 100% accuracy and compliance. - **Customer Satisfaction:** Prompt issue resolution and timely shipment updates. - **Cost Optimization:** Minimize avoidable demurrage, detention, storage, and additional charges. - **Team Productivity:** Improve operational efficiency through effective supervision and process management.

### Preferred Candidate Profile We are particularly interested in a **hands-on Operations Manager who can independently manage the complete freight forwarding process**, from booking and documentation to customs clearance and final delivery. The candidate should have established relationships with Abu Dhabi Customs stakeholders, shipping lines, airlines, port operators, and logistics service providers. **A candidate with proven Abu Dhabi Customs clearance expertise, valid authorization, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage both sea and air freight operations will be given preference.**