Company Description

Continental is a leading tire manufacturer and industry specialist. Founded in 1871, the company generated sales of €19.7 billion in 2025 and currently employs around 78,000 people in 54 countries and markets.

Tire solutions from the Tires group sector make mobility safer, smarter, and more sustainable. Its premium portfolio encompasses car, truck, bus, two-wheel, and specialty tires as well as smart solutions and services for fleets and tire retailers. Continental has been delivering top performance for more than 150 years and is one of the world’s largest tire manufacturers. In fiscal 2025, the Tires group sector generated sales of 13.8 billion euros. Continental's tire division employs more than 56,000 people worldwide and has 19 production and 16 development sites.

Job Description

HOW YOU WILL MAKE AN IMPACT

The Ocean Freight Specialist is responsible for managing and optimizing all ocean transportation operations, including carrier selection, contract negotiations, shipment execution, and cost control. This role ensures efficient, compliant, and cost-effective international freight movement while maintaining strong relationships with carriers, freight forwarders, and internal stakeholders.

Ocean Freight Operations

Oversee daily ocean freight activities, including booking, documentation, tracking, and exception managementEnsure timely and accurate shipment execution from origin to destinationManage inbound and outbound ocean shipments across global trade lanesMonitor transit times and implement improvements to service performance

Carrier & Vendor Management

Develop and maintain relationships with ocean carriers, and freight forwardersSupport Purchasing with  the negotiation of freight contracts, rates, and service agreementsConduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with key logistics providersMonitor vendor performance against KPIs and SLAs

Cost Optimization & Budget Management

Identify cost-saving opportunities across lanes, carriers, and routing strategiesManage and monitor ocean freight spend against budget targetsSupport freight procurement strategies, including RFPs and bid analysis

Risk Management & Issue Resolution

Proactively identify and mitigate risks such as port congestion, capacity constraints, and delaysResolve shipment disruptions, claims, and exceptions in a timely mannerManage service claims and dispute resolution with carriers

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

Partner with internal teams including procurement, supply chain, warehousing, and customer serviceCoordinate with regional logistics teams to ensure alignment across global operationsProvide regular reporting and insights to leadership on performance and cost trends

Reporting & Analytics

Track KPIs including transit time, on-time delivery, cost per TEU, and carrier performanceDevelop dashboards and reports to support data-driven decision-makingAnalyze shipping patterns and recommend process improvements

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Qualifications

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE ROLE 

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Logistics, Business, or related field5+ years of experience in ocean freight/logistics operationsStrong knowledge of Incoterms (DAP, FCA, FOB, CIF, etc.)Experience with ocean carrier contracts and rate negotiationsFamiliarity with global shipping documentation and customs processesProficiency in TMS, ERP systems, and Microsoft OfficeStrong analytical and problem-solving skillsExcellent negotiation and vendor management capabilitiesAbility to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environmentStrong communication and cross-functional collaboration skillsDetail-oriented with a focus on operational excellenceLegal authorization to work in the U.S. is required. Continental is able to offer visa support for internal candidates or for those individuals who hold existing valid employment visas.A relocation package can be offered if needed

 

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO STAND OUT 

7+ years of experience in ocean freight/logistics operationsExperience managing North America (US/CAN) or global ocean logisticsKnowledge of port operations and drayage coordinationExperience with digital freight platforms and visibility toolsAdvanced excel skills

Additional Information

THE PERKS 

Immediate Benefits Robust Total Rewards PackagePaid Time OffVolunteer Time OffTuition AssistanceEmployee Discounts, including tire discountsCompetitive Bonus ProgramsEmployee 401k Match ­Diverse & Inclusive Work Environment with 20+ Employee Resource groups.Hybrid WorkEmployee Assistance Program ­Future Growth Opportunities, including personal and professionalAnd many more benefits that come with working for a global industry leader!

 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

EEO-Statement:

EEO / Disabled / Protected Veteran Employer. Continental offers equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to unlawful consideration to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. In addition, as a federal contractor, Continental complies with government regulations, including affirmative action responsibilities for qualified individuals with a disability and protected veterans, where they apply. To be considered, you must apply for a specific position for which Continental has a current posted job opening. Qualifying applications will be considered only for the specific opening(s) to which you apply. If you would like to be considered for additional or future job openings, we encourage you to reapply for other opportunities as they become available. Further, Continental provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance in the application process, please reply to [email protected] or contact US Recruiting at 800-821-2727. This telephone line and email address are reserved solely for job seekers with disabilities requesting accessibility assistance or an accommodation in the job application process. Please do not call about the status of your job application, if you do not require accessibility assistance or an accommodation. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or non-disability related technical issues, will not receive a call back.

 

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