How to hire an assistant import manager

How to hire an assistant import manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step assistant import manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an assistant import manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant import manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The assistant import manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them an assistant import manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire an assistant import manager that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of assistant import managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Assistant Import Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Assistant Import Manager		$13-28
   Freight Agent	Freight agents are independent contractors who help shippers to connect with carriers willing to haul the freight. They work with a freight broker and play a role in the movement of freight, and have to find available carriers to ship a client's freight... Show more	$11-23
   Cargo Agent	A cargo agent is primarily in charge of facilitating cargo shipments, ensuring the cargo gets to their destination timely and accurately. They are responsible for preparing and processing the necessary documents and fees, routing shipments and arranging the shipping methods, weighing the parcels, and coordinating the logistics and transportation details... Show more	$12-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Forwarders
   • Delivery Appointments
   • Logistics
   • Internal Procedures
   • Customs Brokers
   • Import Documentation
   • Invoice

   Responsibilities:

   • Establish and monitor KPI's in which to measure all freight forwarders, packers and trucking companies.
   • Create and put into place standards and procedures to improve invoice flow.
   • Invoice container customers using their specific pricelist and properfreight and brokerage fees.
   • Coordinate logistical considerations with airlines, steam ship lines, other freight forwarders, and warehouses on behalf of customers.
   • Ensure accuracy of direct mail processing and preparation operations in accordance with DHL requirements, customer requests, and establish procedures.
   • Develop and implement cost saving measures in the FCL drayage and airline transfers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your assistant import manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An assistant import manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, assistant import managers' average salary in nebraska is 40% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level assistant import managers earn 52% less than senior-level assistant import managers.
   • Certifications. An assistant import manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an assistant import manager's salary.

   Average assistant import manager salary

   $42,175yearly

   $20.28 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level assistant import manager salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

4. Writing an assistant import manager job description

   A good assistant import manager job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an assistant import manager job description:

   Assistant import manager job description example

   Nippon Express Company, Ltd. ("NX") was founded in 1872 in Japan and is headquartered in Tokyo. NX employs approximately 72,000 employees at 733 locations, in 47 countries and 314 cities around the world.
   
   Nippon Express U.S.A., Inc. ("NEU") was incorporated in New York in 1962 as a fully owned subsidiary of NX. NEU provides logistics solutions and comprehensive transportation services through its international freight forwarding and logistics network, including specialized handling of: air, land, sea and express packages; all types and sizes of cargo; personal effects and household goods; fragile and perishable freight; and livestock. NEU also provides related services, such as warehousing, distribution and customs brokerage and clearance. NEU operates at 55 locations in 27 states within the U.S., with approximately 1300 employees. NEU has enjoyed tremendous growth and success as one of the top five international freight forwarders in the world. We connect people with products throughout the world.
   + Provide department support and supervise staff in the Ocean Import Department
   
   + Prepare import shipments for assigned customers. This may include customs clearance, shipping, labeling, and distribution of cargo. Generate delivery orders and shipping labels as needed.
   
   + Prepare import documents for distribution to brokerage department and/or Customers' Broker
   
   + Coordinate pickup and delivery orders with trucking companies, airlines, steamship line and/or bonded facilities in order to obtain necessary information in order to process shipments in the best way.
   
   + Issue freight bills and invoices to brokers and responsible for collecting unpaid invoices within credit term.
   
   + Supervises and directs staff in performing work according to operations procedures
   
   + Trains Import Staff
   
   + Monitors the preparation of import shipments and distribution of Import Documents
   
   + Ensure department is in compliance with company policies and procedures and applicable government regulation
   
   + Review workflows and procedures and provide feedback to maintain a high quality of service
   
   + Documents, records and reports all discrepancies to include missed trucking deadlines
   
   + Work professionally and effectively with operations staff in order to achieve target goals.
   
   + Develop and maintain positive working relationships with management, peers and co-workers.
   
   + Handle other job assignments as determined by the Department Manager
   
   + Associates, Bachelors or Equivalent/Related Industry experience
   
   + Advanced Knowledge of MS Office Products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and SharePoint
   
   + Strong organization and communication skills
   
   + Capability to schedule, organize and work independently.
   
   + Knowledge of Regulatory & Industry Standards
   
   + Strong knowledge of Ocean Import
   
   + Knowledge of international commerce (Incoterms, method, customs regulations etc.) desirable
   
   + Good verbal and written communication Skill
   
   + Must be able to work flexible work schedule as needed to meet the business demands.
   
   Organization Relationships:
   
   This position will interact with branch colleagues, leadership staff, and office /warehouse personnel. Must be able to work with customers, vendors, and outside organizations.
   
   Work Environment:
   
   (With or without accommodations) This position is predominantly sedentary office work, which involves sitting, typing, filing, and conversing on the phone.
   
   This job description is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities and working conditions of the position. While it is intended to accurately reflect the position activities and requirements, management reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.
   
   Nippon Express offers a generous Employee Benefits Package including:
   
   + Medical, Dental, and Vision beginning the 1st of the month after 30 days.
   
   + 401k with a company match
   
   + Flexible Spending Accounts, HSA, Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short & Long Term Disability, Auto and Home policies, Commuter Benefits, and much more.
   
   + Generous Vacation and Sick time.
   
   Nippon Express USA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
   
   
   External Company URL: nipponexpressusa.com
   
   Telecommute: No

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5. Post your job

   To find the right assistant import manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with assistant import managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit assistant import managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your assistant import manager job on Zippia to find and recruit assistant import manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting assistant import managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new assistant import manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect assistant import manager candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new assistant import manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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