Hunter Campbell’s Mastering Supply Chain Series profiles jobs within the Supply Chain job family including jobs in demand, salaries, and employment prospects.
In this article, the role of Import Operator (Air & Sea) is in the spotlight.
Purpose of the Role
Import Operators are the driving force behind international freight forwarding. They meticulously track and trace cargo, coordinating all necessary releases from overseas agents, airlines, and shipping lines to ensure seamless client deliveries. Typically employed by freight forwarders, Import Operators often specialise in either sea freight or air freight, although in some cases, they may handle both, depending on the forwarder’s size.
An Import Operator’s role involves constant monitoring of shipments and waybills to confirm the cargo remains on schedule and that all documents and releases are in place. Importing via air freight requires a faster-paced approach, as urgent shipments often travel by air at a higher freight cost. Conversely, sea freight operates at a slower pace but generally accommodates higher volumes, making it the preferred shipping method for many importers. Companies rely heavily on accurate demand planning and forecasting to align with sea freight lead times and maintain stock availability.
In some cases, Import Operators manage the full shipment process—from receiving the purchase order to client delivery, including overseeing landside transport and delivery operations.
Recruitment Forecast 2025
New Zealand’s reliance on imported goods makes the role of an Import Operator indispensable for any freight forwarder managing inbound shipments with precision and efficiency. While the market experiences peaks and troughs, forwarders depend on seamless operations—and Import Operators are essential to ensuring this function runs smoothly.
Career Prospects
International Freight Forwarding is a diverse industry that opens doors to a variety of career paths. Once established, you can explore roles in exports, customer service, or even sales. Another pathway is to advance into leadership positions, such as Imports Team Lead or Manager. Experience as an Import Operator can also lead to opportunities within import/distribution or manufacturing businesses, where your freight forwarding expertise can seamlessly transition into specialised shipping roles.
Key Skills Required
Import Operations is a demanding role with many moving parts to manage. The ability to handle multiple consignments simultaneously while maintaining sharp attention to detail is essential. Working in freight brings its own set of challenges; things do not always go to plan, and if they do it’s a win! Delays can occur at ports or with airlines, schedules may shift, or shipments might be put on hold. With clients often working to strict deadlines, Import Operators face pressure to deliver on time. Being able to work effectively under pressure and think creatively to solve unexpected issues are key skills that are highly valued in these roles.
Salary Guide
This information is anecdotal and based on roles Hunter Campbell is currently recruiting or has previously recruited and relate to base salaries. They do not include any additional bonuses or benefits.
Salaries can vary widely depending on your experience level and the specific responsibilities within your role. Key factors influencing salary include whether you specialise in both sea freight and air freight, the freight volume, and the number of consignments you manage.
Senior Import Operators tend to take on more responsibility including complex shipments, training of other staff or stepping up into team leadership.
Below is a current salary guide, reflecting approximate market rates for Import Operators at various levels.
- Entry/Junior Import Operator (0-2 years’ experience): $55,000 – $65,000
- Intermediate Import Operator (2-5 years’ experience): $65,000 – $75,000
- Senior Import Operator (5+ years’ experience): $75,000 – $85,000 +
If you would like to find out more about the role of a Customer Service Representative (International Freight Forwarding), please contact consultant Sarah Kennedy. Sarah specialises in the recruitment of Distribution and Logistics. For more news and views, visit our website by clicking here, see what opportunities we have available here or follow us on LinkedIn.
