BROKERAGE MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

A Brokerage Manager in customs and logistics means owning the compliance posture of an import operation while keeping freight moving on schedule. The role sits at the department-head level, answerable to branch or operations leadership, and is the accountable party when a customs hold delays cargo or when an audit reveals a documentation gap. Managing CHB-licensed staff, governing HTSUS classification accuracy, and maintaining relationships with partner government agencies are the recurring demands that distinguish this seat from adjacent coordination roles. Few functions carry higher regulatory exposure per transaction.

As the Brokerage Manager, you will lead daily customs clearance operations, govern regulatory compliance across import and Foreign Trade Zone activities, and develop a team of brokerage professionals to meet client deadlines and audit standards. You will report to branch or operations leadership while working across carriers, vendors, internal divisions, and government agencies to keep shipments compliant and on time.

Career Impact: Holding a Brokerage Manager title in customs and logistics - particularly with CHB License exposure and FTZ experience - substantially raises your market value within freight forwarding and third-party logistics firms that compete on compliance speed.

Business Impact: When customs entries are classified accurately and ISF filings are submitted on time, clients avoid costly delays, fines, and cargo holds - outcomes that depend directly on the decisions this role makes daily.

Growth Opportunity: The scope of this role, spanning import operations, staff development, and P and L accountability, creates a clear path toward Director of Customs or VP of Operations within mid-size to large freight forwarding organizations.

• Govern customs compliance across all import entries, including HTSUS classification, valuation, and partner government agency requirements.
• Oversee ISF filing coordination and documentation review to ensure regulatory compliance with US Customs on all inbound shipments.
• Lead Foreign Trade Zone operations documentation, from admission processing through audit file review, to meet client and regulatory deadlines.
• Manage and develop a team of brokerage professionals by setting expectations, conducting evaluations, and supporting structured training plans.
• Monitor the paid-not-billed report and billing accuracy to ensure files are invoiced within established service timelines.
• Direct carrier and vendor relationships to match shipments at competitive rates and resolve freight discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Review department P and L, AR reports, and credit limits to maintain financial controls across the brokerage operation.
• Partner with sales, account management, and cross-functional teams to support client onboarding, SOP development, and service expansion.

• Bachelor's degree in business, logistics, supply chain, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of customs brokerage import experience, with at least 1 to 2 years in a supervisory or management role.
• Active Customs Broker License (CHB) or demonstrated progress toward licensure preferred and required by some employers.
• Working knowledge of HTSUS classifications, customs valuation rules, and partner government agency compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage department-level P and L, billing accuracy, and accounts receivable reporting.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and develop a team of brokerage or logistics professionals against measurable performance expectations.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple shipments, accounts, and compliance requirements under deadline pressure.

• Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) accreditation, reflecting advanced regulatory knowledge beyond entry-level licensure.
• Experience with Foreign Trade Zone operations including FTZ admission filing, zone inventory reconciliation, and CF28/29 response preparation.
• Familiarity with CargoWise or comparable customs entry and freight management platforms as a competency, not a requirement.
• Prior exposure to OTR freight brokerage, carrier rate negotiation, or multi-modal logistics operations in addition to customs clearance.

• Entry accuracy rate, measuring the percentage of customs entries filed without classification or valuation errors.
• Paid-not-billed cycle time, tracking average days between entry completion and client invoice issuance.
• ISF filing on-time rate, reflecting the share of shipments with ISF submitted within the regulatory window.
• Audit findings per quarter, measuring the volume of documentation gaps identified during internal or client-led file reviews.
• Staff retention rate within the brokerage department, indicating team stability under this manager's leadership.
• Typical tools: Customs entry platforms (commonly CargoWise or similar); document management and office productivity suites.

• Base Salary Range: $75,000 to $105,000 annually, depending on licensure and team size.
• Bonus: Performance-based annual bonus, typically 8 to 15 percent of base salary.
• Equity: Rarely offered at this level in logistics; stock options available at larger public freight firms.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard, employer contribution varies by company size.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually, plus federal holidays.
• Common Perks: Professional development reimbursement for CHB exam or CCS renewal, mileage or auto allowance where travel is required.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Candidates of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations at any point in the hiring process. Given the regulatory nature of this role, offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of a background check. All applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Brokerage Manager owns the growth of a life brokerage organization by recruiting, training and onboarding independent producers while executing the firm's strategic plan to build the business unit. Working alongside the Internal Sales Desk, Underwriting, Advanced Markets and Agency leadership, the Brokerage Manager strengthens revenue by consulting financial professionals on product strategies and delivering competitive intelligence to guide leadership decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute on the firm's strategic plan to build the life brokerage business unit.
• Recruit, train and on-board independent life producers to grow the brokerage organization.
• Build and maintain relationships with financial professionals, life insurance agents and PPGAs to increase revenue.
• Consult and advise financial professionals on value-added strategies to increase life business with their clients.
• Educate financial advisors on the life product portfolio and present products in the context of sales ideas.
• Build and leverage key relationships with Internal Sales Desk, Underwriting, Advanced Markets, Marketing and Agency leadership.
• Keep financial professionals informed of product portfolio enhancements, underwriting changes and new product launches.
• Develop new relationships with financial professionals to capture life sales and service existing producing agents.
• Provide competitive intelligence to the leadership team on current and emerging trends with life product carriers.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent experience.
• State life and health license required, FINRA Series 6 or Series 7 preferred, professional designation such as CFP, CLU or ChFC a plus.
• 5+ years of sales experience wholesaling in the life insurance industry.
• Strong knowledge of life insurance products and their application in sales concepts.
• Current network of existing life insurance agents, PPGAs and financial professionals required.
• Proven ability to grow a life brokerage business within the geographic area.
• Excellent presentation skills in both creation and delivery to current and prospective agents.

Embedded within a freight logistics operation, the Brokerage Manager supervises a team of Brokerage Specialists while placing high volumes of outbound calls to generate new business opportunities and grow a profitable book of business. Working closely with customers and transportation providers, the Brokerage Manager negotiates rates, develops entry strategies and resolves freight discrepancies to ensure service standards and commission targets are met.

Core Functions

• Place high volume of outbound phone calls daily to generate and develop new business opportunities.
• Negotiate and build long-term relationships with contacts over the telephone.
• Make professional decisions in a fast-paced environment balancing time, service standards and profitability.
• Manage and supervise a team of Brokerage Specialists by driving results and setting expectations.
• Provide clients and team members with clear, concise updates on the status of shipments.
• Grow a profitable book of business by identifying and developing relationships with new internal and external customers.
• Prepare presentations and develop entry strategies specific to customer needs through cold-calling and face-to-face meetings.
• Negotiate rates with customers and transportation providers to ensure margins are achieved for commission targets.
• Process spot requests, develop new sales strategies and resolve freight discrepancies in a timely manner.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, logistics or related field preferred, or 2+ years of industry experience.
• Experience introducing and selling B2B services via prospecting calls.
• Experience negotiating with shippers and carriers and managing a book of business.
• Fluent communicator in person, on the phone and via email.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Reporting to company leadership, the Brokerage Manager leads the full Sales and Operations of an OTR Brokerage branch by developing operating plans, managing P and L and building a high-performance team. Partnering with other company branches and operating units, this role delivers cost-effective solutions for customers while driving joint approaches to business development and growth across the organization.

Primary Duties

• Develop operating plans and manage P and L for the branch.
• Build and develop operational capability and a high-performance team atmosphere that fosters productivity and low turnover.
• Balance investment between business development and operations to deliver cost-effective solutions for customers.
• Work with other company branches and operating units to develop joint approaches to customer development and growth.
• Hire, train and manage Sales and Operations employees to grow the branch.
• Communicate employee performance levels through evaluations and set the tone for service focus, morale and teamwork.

Skills and Qualifications

• 4-year college degree in a relevant field or commensurate industry experience.
• Minimum 10 years of OTR Brokerage Transportation Business Development and Operations experience.
• Highway service knowledge including direct relationships with key personnel in Fortune 500 organizations.
• Business development and sales successes in the logistics industry.
• Demonstrable operations knowledge and understanding of P and L statements.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
• Capable of working independently and making decisions with limited supervision.

Sitting at the intersection of event management and brokerage support operations, the Brokerage Manager leads broker events, oversees vendor sourcing and manages office and IT floor support for the Brokerage Service Centre. Operating across procurement, inventory control and departmental coordination functions, this role ensures all stakeholder requirements are met and that adequate resources and compliance processes are maintained across the brokerage office environment.

Duties

• Manage broker events such as cocktail receptions and CEO gatherings, leading production houses and vendors to ensure quality output, proper setup and budget control.
• Source quality vendors for gift purchases according to account manager requirements and proceed with procurement approval.
• Order, deliver and maintain sufficient sales materials and gift inventory for brokers with proper records for audit purposes.
• Provide floor support for office and IT equipment, cleanliness, room booking systems and wifi setup at the Brokerage Service Centre and Brokerage office.
• Ensure sufficient manpower resources to support the Brokerage Service Centre.
• Serve as departmental coordinator for BCP arrangement, system access right review and shared folder housekeeping.
• Provide backup support to other teams including acting as second approver for clerical data input and preparing user stories and testing for business projects.

Experience and Qualifications

• University degree in Business Administration, Marketing or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a similar role or in marketing, insurance or event management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, Word and Excel.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent in English and Chinese, both verbal and written.

A key member of the logistics management team, the Brokerage Manager leads staff development, customs compliance oversight and financial controls including AR reporting and department P and L within a customer service-focused brokerage operation. Collaborating across customs authorities, internal departments and branch leadership, this role ensures adherence to regulatory requirements, proper documentation archiving and a high-accountability team culture built on structured development plans.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Train, motivate, mentor and conduct annual reviews for employees against company expectations and create personal development plans.
• Identify and develop a second-in-command, ensure all staff have clear job descriptions and structured development plans, and conduct regular interviews with potential new hires.
• Ensure new hires complete the development map within the first 6 months and review department goals periodically with staff to ensure accountability.
• Oversee customs compliance including classification instructions, customs authorizations, transit guarantees and IPR/OPR/Warehousing authorizations.
• Monitor undischarged transit forms, duty deferment usage, license and visa applications and ensure all documentation is present for archiving.
• Meet with local customs authorities to discuss performance, delays, red-channel activity and regulatory developments, and follow up on guarantees and refunds.
• Review AR reports, ensure every account has a credit limit, manage department P and L, and promote compliance with all company policies and regulations.

Background and Experience

• Hazardous Materials certification preferred, CHB License a plus.
• Minimum 3-5 years of Customs Brokerage experience including 1-2 years in a management role.
• Strong knowledge of customs brokerage processes, customs legislation, classification, valuation and origin.
• Knowledge of ocean, transcon and air documentation and transport, incoterms and the customs tariff system.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Excel and Word.
• Fluent in Norwegian and English.
• Proven negotiation skills and ability to maintain relationships with customs authorities.
• Pro-active with strong organizational skills and ability to troubleshoot and solve problems quickly.

Accurate financial reporting for broker dealer and investment advisor legal entities depends on the Brokerage Manager, who oversees monthly and quarterly close processes including journal entry review, account reconciliations and variance analysis in support of the Fidelity Institutional brokerage business unit. Serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors during quarterly reviews and year-end audits, this role leads process improvement initiatives and coaches team members while ensuring all transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly and quarterly close responsibilities including reviewing journal entries, account reconciliations and variance analysis for brokerage and investment advisor legal entities.
• Work closely with finance, business, accounting policy and other teams to ensure transactions are accurately recorded in the general ledger.
• Prepare and review annual audited financial statements of brokerage and investment advisor legal entities and participate in the annual audit process including audit schedule preparation.
• Provide well-written financial commentary and present results during monthly and quarterly financial reporting reviews.
• Participate in new product launches to ensure new transactions are accurately recorded.
• Lead and participate in financial control assessments, special projects and process improvement initiatives.
• Respond to inquiries from management, auditors and regulatory agencies and coach team members on performance and output.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required, CPA and/or advanced degree preferred.
• 5 years of relevant experience, with audit background or experience working with auditors and preparing financial statements.
• Experience with Broker Dealers and/or Investment Advisors a plus.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, internal controls and experience designing and implementing accounting processes and financial systems.
• Experience managing projects and/or small teams of people.
• Highly motivated, flexible and quality-focused with strong financial analysis and problem-solving skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with ability to build strong relationships with business partners.

As the Brokerage Manager, this role oversees the day-to-day management of the Customs Brokerage department by evaluating employees, ensuring accurate billing practices and maintaining timely information flow across staff and internal departments. The department relies on this work to uphold service standards, meet billing deadlines and develop a well-trained team capable of supporting the full scope of customs brokerage operations.

Accountabilities

• Manage the Customs Brokerage department including evaluating employees and following performance and wage increase guidelines.
• Provide support to staff to ensure successful completion of their responsibilities and ensure accurate billing practices.
• Monitor the paid-not-billed report to ensure files are billed in a timely manner.
• Communicate with staff and internal departments to ensure timely and accurate information flow.
• Show leadership and initiative to adjust systems and make the team more effective and efficient.
• Outline staff responsibilities, train, follow up and support proper training of department staff.
• Communicate with VP of Operations, Branch Manager and all staff to address questions and identify training needs.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 3 years of Customs Brokerage import experience required.
• Minimum 3 years of supervisory or management experience in logistics, specifically within a Customs Brokerage department, required.
• CHB License preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word and Excel.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail with ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to provide leadership, support and guidance to team members and delegate tasks effectively.
• Ability to resolve conflicts among coworkers.

Brokerage Manager delivers compliant documentation processing for Foreign Trade Zone operations and customs clearances while maintaining accurate records and keeping customers informed of admission and entry statuses. Success in the position means serving as the operational focal point for cross-functional peers, supporting audits and post-entry projects, and tracking monthly KPIs to ensure accounts and transactions are resolved within regulatory and client requirements.

Technical Responsibilities

• Process documentation required for Foreign Trade Zone operations and customs clearances in accordance with Customs Regulations.
• Ensure adherence to relevant governmental regulations including partner government agencies, tariffs and license requirements.
• Maintain paperwork according to document retention procedures and create detailed notes for recordkeeping purposes.
• Keep customers updated on admission and entry statuses and resolve any issues with accounts and transactions in a timely manner.
• Assist the FTZ Specialist and Director of FTZ Services with special projects and post-entry projects including responses to CF28/29s.
• Audit files in coordination with other FTZ Services department members and track monthly KPIs to report to clients.
• Act as operational focal point and provide ad-hoc advice to cross-functional peers and engage in continuous education opportunities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree desired or equivalent education combined with practical experience in import and foreign-trade zones.
• Customs Broker License required, Certified Customs Specialist accreditation preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in customs brokerage and foreign-trade zone operations with a freight forwarding company.
• Strong knowledge of HTSUS classifications and experience in imports related to automotive or similar manufacturing industries.
• Experience in an audit role with highly developed organizational and communications skills.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office and FTZ entry and admission filing software.
• Strong interpersonal attributes including ethical standards and understanding of the business implications of operational decisions.

The Import Brokerage Manager shapes the compliance posture of a customs brokerage team by setting up new customers, developing client SOPs and ensuring all documentation meets US Customs and partner government agency requirements from ISF filing through final archiving. Working closely with carriers, vendors, internal divisions and the Brokerage Team, this role maintains regulatory knowledge, resolves operational problems and supports team members with accounts and daily workload to uphold corporate policy compliance.

Key Deliverables

• Set up new customers and confirm all required information is received and valid, and develop and maintain client SOPs and system database for compliance.
• Guide and direct the Brokerage Team on maintaining communication and providing customer service to customers, carriers, vendors and internal divisions.
• Coordinate and file ISF for required shipments and receive and review documentation to ensure regulatory compliance with US Customs and partner government agencies.
• Ensure documentation is accurately processed, distributed, released and archived to meet paperless environment requirements in a timely manner.
• Follow up on all matters, resolve problems and handle billing and approval of invoices.
• Participate in and support other team members with accounts and workload on a day-to-day basis.
• Maintain knowledge of regulations and ensure complete compliance with all legal requirements and corporate policies.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Licensed customs broker in good standing required, Certified Customs Specialist status preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience with at least 2 years of management experience.
• Knowledge of CargoWise system a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Windows.
• Ability to read, comprehend and write correspondence and effectively present information to customers, clients and employees.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions and deal with problems involving concrete variables.

Reporting to senior leadership, the Brokerage Manager builds and manages a brokerage operations team by hiring staff, defining OKRs and overseeing shipment matching through proprietary dashboards while working directly with carriers in real time to achieve the best market rates. Partnering with Sales, Account Management and Growth teams, this role advances marketplace health, supports supply chain solutions for customers and leads geographic and freight expansion initiatives.

Areas of Ownership

• Build and manage a world-class brokerage operations team by hiring, building trust and defining monthly goals and OKRs cross-functionally.
• Assist Sales with healthy marketplace building and work with Growth teams on pricing and automation strategies.
• Assist Account Management in helping customers solve their supply chain challenges.
• Oversee the successful matching of shipments using proprietary dashboards and work directly with carriers in real time to match shipments at the best market rate.
• Act as a player-coach on the front lines to assist with active shipments and coordinate customer needs between external and internal teams.
• Support new geographic, program and freight expansion initiatives and source and develop new carrier relationships.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree preferred, MBA a plus.
• 2+ years of direct management experience and 5-9 years of relevant experience.
• Startup, tech or freight brokerage experience a plus.
• Excellent negotiation skills and written and phone communication skills.
• Positive, tenacious and proactive attitude.

The Brokerage Manager manages day-to-day operations and strategic planning of the Brokerage Department while developing long-term client relationships and guiding clients toward their financial goals through objective advisory and trade execution support. The Brokerage Manager leads staff hiring and training, contributes to the Investment Committee, evaluates client suitability and maintains full compliance with regulatory and departmental policies across a retail brokerage environment.

Role Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the brokerage department including hiring, training and developing new staff members.
• Assist in developing business plans, marketing strategies and client retention plans for the future of the department.
• Participate as a member of the company's Investment Committee and handle fixed income and equity trade execution for the firm's Investments group.
• Evaluate the financial status of potential clients to determine suitability based on risk tolerance and other factors.
• Regularly meet with clients to discuss financial goals, ensure suitability information is up to date and proactively handle client inquiries.
• Provide knowledgeable, objective financial guidance to clients and maintain an in-depth understanding of compliance, regulatory and departmental policies.

Experience and Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Economics or Finance from a recognized university or equivalent work experience.
• Series 7 or Canadian Securities Course required.
• Minimum 3-5 years of experience managing a retail brokerage environment.
• Proven relationship and business development skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, challenging environment with well-developed multi-tasking capabilities.

Embedded within a customs brokerage department, the Brokerage Manager develops operational goals, governs regulatory compliance and leads team members to deliver outstanding customer experience and market growth in support of UPS operations. Working closely with Sales, Marketing and cross-functional teams, this role refines SOPs, monitors productivity and service levels, manages broker partners and develops future leadership candidates within the brokerage organization.

Ownership Areas

• Govern brokerage compliance and quality processes and monitor brokerage productivity and service levels.
• Supervise the account management process and manage broker partners to support sales and marketing efforts.
• Develop operational goals and plans and lead department financial performance including directing workloads and regulating SOPs.
• Manage and develop team members to provide skilled brokerage professionals and future leadership candidates.
• Participate in industry associations and engage cross-functional team members to increase market growth and customer experience.

Technical Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or international equivalent required.
• Relevant customs brokerage certification preferred.
• At least 8 years of experience in customs brokerage and minimum 5 years of people management experience preferred.
• Well-updated knowledge of customs changes and a technical skillset in Customs Brokerage preferred.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and conduct presentations to top management.
• Confident, customer-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment with excellent interpersonal skills.