International Logistics Team Lead

Job summary

Lead and support the international logistics team while overseeing complex ocean, breakbulk, and project cargo shipments from rate negotiation and booking through documentation and delivery. Improve operational processes, ensure compliance and accurate shipment tracking, coordinate with carriers, agents, clients, and internal teams, and proactively manage cargo risks and delays.

Job details

International Logistics Team Lead - Ocean & Project Cargo Operations 📍 This position is open to candidates willing to commute to our HQ at 93 Grand Ave S. Cambridge, ON N1S 2L7 Who We Are Pinnacle Logistics Solutions (PLS) is a specialized transportation and logistics company located in Cambridge, Ontario. Our company’s strong values and commitment to corporate social responsibility guarantee that creative & safe cost-cutting solutions are provided to each customer to meet project goals. We specialize in oversized cargo for large multi-year projects managing the entire transportation and logistics cycles. The Role We’re looking for a Team Lead – Ocean & Project Cargo to direct daily ocean freight operations and manage our international forwarding team. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will oversee team workflow (including Logistics Coordinators), handle complex project cargo execution, and drive end-to-end breakbulk and ocean logistics —from rate negotiation and booking through to documentation and delivery. What You’ll Do Team Supervision: Guide, mentor, and allocate daily tasks for Logistics Coordinators, acting as the primary technical escalation point for complex ocean and project freight issues. Project Cargo & Breakbulk Management: Oversee specialized ocean moves (Breakbulk, Out-of-Gauge, Heavy Lift, Part/Full Charter), reviewing stowage plans, rigging specs, and port handling requirements before booking execution. Process & Compliance Optimization: Standardize operational workflows, tracking systems, and carrier performance reviews across all ocean export/import trade lanes. Rate & Strategy: Obtain, negotiate, and build out competitive freight rates with ocean and inland carriers. Creatively develop shipping strategies that create value-add solutions for the client, processing requests within desired timelines. Documentation: Ensure all ocean import and export documentation is consistently accurate, complete, and compliant per shipment, including Bills of Lading, SLIs, AWBs, and TDG documentation. CBSA eManifest Portal filing is also under your responsibility as the freight forwarder. Shipment Tracking: Ensure timely and accurate movement of freight and information. Keep clients informed with proactive booking notices, position updates, and escalation of any delays or anomalies. Agent Coordination: Arrange collection of client goods with overseas agents and communicate pick-ups, updates, and status changes in a timely manner, at times even outside of office hours. Cargo Register: Liaise with shippers to capture cargo details in advance of Required At Site (RAS) dates, entering all details into the Cargo Register and flagging any challenging cargo (oversized dimensions, special handling, TDG, etc.) to the Transportation Analyst. Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with our Transportation Analyst and Logistics Coordinators to ensure all stakeholders are informed and aligned on delivery schedules and logistics requirements. What You Offer 7–10+ years of hands-on experience in 3PL/freight forwarding, with at least 2+ years leading or supervising operational team members. Industry knowledge and connections: you have an established network of carrier contacts, experience vetting partners, and proven relationships you can call upon to get things done. Oversized & project cargo experience is required. You’ve worked with breakbulk, oversized, or complex cargo from industries such as construction, mining, nuclear, or utilities. You understand the nuance of this cargo well enough to verify optimal shipping conditions and flag risks before they become problems. Strong communicator in English—written and verbal. A second language is a definite plus. Tech-savvy and adaptable— you can quickly learn and navigate new systems. Our stack includes Neosix, ZoHo, and Microsoft Suite. Able to work in-office 5 days a week at our HQ in Cambridge, ON, with occasional travel within the GTA and to project sites.

What you’ll do

Lead and support the international logistics team while overseeing complex ocean, breakbulk, and project cargo shipments from rate negotiation and booking through documentation and delivery. Improve operational processes, ensure compliance and accurate shipment tracking, coordinate with carriers, agents, clients, and internal teams, and proactively manage cargo risks and delays.

Requirements

Requires 7–10+ years of hands-on 3PL or freight-forwarding experience, including at least two years leading or supervising operational team members, plus established carrier relationships. Oversized and project cargo experience is required, along with strong English communication, adaptability with logistics systems, and the ability to work in the Cambridge office five days per week.

Listed skills

• Team Leadership · Preferred
• Regulatory Compliance · Preferred
• Process Optimization · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Ocean Freight Operations
• Project Cargo Management
• Breakbulk Shipping
• Oversized Cargo Handling
• Heavy Lift and Charter Operations
• Team Leadership
• Freight Rate Negotiation
• Carrier Management
• Import and Export Documentation
• CBSA eManifest Filing
• Shipment Tracking
• Regulatory Compliance
• Stowage Plan Review
• Agent Coordination
• Client Communication
• Process Optimization

Job areas

• Logistics
• Transportation
• Management & Leadership

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