What Does An Import Supervisor Do?

WHAT DOES AN IMPORT SUPERVISOR DO?

Updated: Oct 21, 2025 - The Import Supervisor supports the implementation of departmental policies and operational goals while ensuring efficient workflows and cost reduction initiatives. This role manages invoicing, customer profiles, quotations, and document accuracy to maintain compliance and timeliness across import and export activities. The supervisor also prepares reports, coordinates with customers and vendors, and oversees the smooth processing and transportation of orders to meet client requirements.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Import Supervisor

1. Air Import Supervisor Duties

Training Management: Ensure outstanding service to the import team by training, coaching and managing associates within the team, overseeing workflow and work prioritization and by communicating directly with the team
Issue Resolution: Resolve workflow and special processing issues by maximizing productivity and resource allocation and by analyzing problems and communicating ideas and solutions to other supervisors and managers
Regulatory Compliance: Ensure regulatory compliance by administering company policies and procedures and by establishing audit procedures
Customer Communication: Keep internal and external customers updated in regards to the arrival of shipments, any delays of their cargo, and when their shipments are available for pick up and/or delivery
Profile Management: Initiate and maintain customer master profiles to have correct information on hand to offer consistent service
Customs Liaison: Maintain close liaison with the Customs Service and other government agencies for various specialized Customs clearance requirements
Vendor Communication: Communicating information and instructions to/from vendors
Problem Solving: Researching and resolving operational problems
Employee Training: Train new hires on departmental processes and procedures
Document Review: Review all documents, contact all first-time customers, perform credit checks, and handle other tasks

2. Seafreight Import Supervisor Details

Shipment Communication: Actions and oversees all direct shipment-level communication between Hellmann and carriers, vendors, and customers (i.e., delays, arrival notices, shipment status inquiries, billing discrepancies, etc.)
Product Expertise: Acts as a senior product subject matter expert when communicating with internal and external parties
Service Compliance: Ensures all client requests are within the established scope of services and that all services conducted are invoiced to the customer
Profitability Management: Manages and addresses all escalations in regards to file profitability
File Auditing: Audit and identify files with loss or low margin and work with their team members to determine the root cause and implement corrective action
Data Accuracy: Monitors and ensures the accuracy and timeliness of data entry to deliver quality processing
Feedback Collection: Actively pursues feedback from their team members and customers to identify opportunities to increase service levels, productivity, profitability, quality, and business volumes
Vendor Evaluation: Provides products and management with objective feedback regarding vendor performance levels, and escalates issues promptly to ensure the best level of service
Accounts Management: Monitors, assigns, and ensures the resolution of any accounts payable or receivable issues within the area of responsibility
Market Analysis: Identifies market conditions that could impact customers and proactively develops solutions to avoid service issues
Vendor Relations: Maintains service relations with carriers and vendors
KPI Improvement: Measures, analyzes, and improves external or internal KPIs for the area of responsibility
Service Consultation: Consults with product management, account management, and sales before agreeing to non-standard services and/or pricing

3. Seafreight Import Supervisor Responsibilities

Forecast Analysis: Collaborates with account management, sales, and overseas offices to analyze and develop client volume forecasts to ensure sufficient capacity from carriers and internal resources
Trend Identification: Identifies client trends (volume drop or increase) and escalates
Operational Support: Performs back-up for desk-level seafreight import agents during periods of high volume during vacations, leaves of absence, etc.
Team Meetings: Organizes and conducts daily huddles/team meetings to share information, set priorities, and discuss recurring issues
Employee Training: Responsible for ensuring all assigned full-time and part-time employees are trained, certified, and re-certified periodically on internal and external standard operating procedures and regulatory requirements
Compliance Validation: Validates that product staff understand and comply with customer and company standard operating procedures
Performance Management: Measures employee performance and provides regular informal and formal feedback within the area of responsibility
Review Meetings: Conducts regular employee performance review meetings and sets performance goals to drive employee development
Staffing Management: Manages staffing levels based on business development, peak volume periods, department performance metrics, and employee vacations
Talent Input: Assists management by proactively providing input on talent acquisition, re-assignment, demotion, and promotion

4. Import Supervisor Job Summary

Policy Support: Assists the Operations and Middle Office Manager in implementing the organization's policies and goals of the department
Directive Implementation: Under the direction of the Operations and Middle Office Manager, implements directives outlining policy, program or operations changes
Workflow Development: Researches and develops resources that create a timely and efficient workflow in conjunction with the Operations Manager
Office Planning: Plans office layout for the department and implements cost reduction programs initiated by the Branch Manager
Invoicing Oversight: Sees that invoicing is processed daily in line with the company directive (at the time of issuance of pre-alerts for export and issuance of arrival notices for imports)
Profile Preparation: Prepares customer profiles in conjunction with requiring review and approval from the Operations Manager and the Middle Office Manager
Accuracy Control: Controls JIAs for accuracy and makes necessary corrections
Quotation Preparation: Prepares quotations for the network, local salesforce and customers
Document Review: Reviews/audits clerical documents within the department to ensure completeness, accuracy and timeliness
Report Preparation: Prepares activity reports for the guidance of the Operations Manager, Middle Office Manager and/or Branch Manager
Customer Relations: Maintains contact with customers and outside vendors of the department
Order Processing: Ensures the timely transportation and processing of both export and import orders to the final destination and according to customer requirements

5. Import Supervisor Accountabilities

Reporting Accuracy: Ensure all customer reporting requirements are met, and data quality events are updated daily to ensure accuracy of reports
Team Leadership: Directly supervises 2 - 10 employees within the import operational team
Branch Coordination: Assists the Branch Manager in the coordination, direction and evaluation of this unit
Policy Adherence: Carries out supervisory responsibilities by the organization's policies and applicable laws
Compliance Oversight: Ensure and monitor team compliance with the Bollore’s Code of Conduct and the Company’s regulations
Value Alignment: Ensure team understanding and implementation of Bollore’s Values in daily work behaviors
Performance Coaching: Plan and monitor team performance including giving coaching and counselling to deliver expected outcomes
Staff Development: Plan and monitor team development together with the HR department
Role Documentation: Ensure updated Job Description availability for the team by coordinating with the HR department
Change Communication: Ensure all changes in the Department / Section are implemented and communicated properly to the team