How to hire an import customer service manager

How to hire an import customer service manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step import customer service 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 import customer service manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new import customer service manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The import customer service 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 import customer service 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 import customer service manager that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of import customer service managers.

   Type of Import Customer Service Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Import Customer Service Manager		$12-36
   Representative	Representatives are lawmakers who represent the people in a specific district. They run for office to represent their districts in their hometown or their current place of living... Show more	$11-26
   Call Center Representative	Call center representatives are employees who take customer calls in the company's contact center. They answer incoming calls related to their account... Show more	$12-18

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Delivery Orders
   • Data Entry
   • Import Shipments
   • USDA
   • Arrival Notices
   • FCL
   • US Customs
   • LCL
   • ETA
   • Exam
   • Customs Brokers
   • Customer Inquiries
   • Import Documentation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage cash balances and inventory stock accurately; ensure cleanliness of all work stations and guarantee excellent customer service.
   • Input pertinent information into ABI and AS400 system.
   • Have now assist in teaching others on the team the aspects of handling LCL freight.
   • Apply proper tariff classifications and reduce duty rates such as NAFTA and submit shipments to U.S. Customs for release.
   • Input delivery instructions into company database AS400.
   • Verify and transmit sensitive security documents from TSA and IATA approve institutions.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your import customer service manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An import customer service manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, import customer service managers' average salary in alaska is 55% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level import customer service managers 65% less than senior-level import customer service managers.
   • Certifications. An import customer service manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an import customer service manager's salary.

   Average import customer service manager salary

   $44,548yearly

   $21.42 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level import customer service manager salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing an import customer service manager job description

   A good import customer service 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 import customer service manager job description:

   Import customer service manager job description example

   Import Customer Service Representative. The Import Customer Service Representative (CSR) is the primary contact for any customer. The CSR is responsible for intercepting faxed/emailed orders, keying orders in to system when necessary, conducting follow-up phone calls to requestors. This role is responsible for providing customer service for the Import customers ensure receive up-to-date cargo tracing information and on-time delivery of import cargo. Job Duties:

   • Dispatch delivery arrangement upon cargo/container final arrival at Container Freight Station (CFS) or Container Yard (CY) destination and obtain proof of delivery (POD) for all shipments and retain in the shipping file
   • Distribute daily update (excel file) to assigned customers
   • Prepare the shipping file for billing upon completion of delivery
   • Contact overseas counterparts for additional information and custom broker
   • Preparation of documentation to issue checks for payment to the co-load carriers/ocean carriers
   • Respond to all email correspondence in a timely manner and incoming telephone calls to assist or direct calls
   • Create and distribute customer invoices
   • Create and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
   • Assist with project cargo activities
   • Processes orders received by mail, fax, e-mail, EDI from customer or company employee
   • Compiles, sorts and verifies accuracy of data to be entered.
   • Examines records such bills of lading and related documents and correspondence and informs customer of shipping dates, anticipated delays and any additional information needed by customer using e-mail and/or telephone.

   
   Qualifications:

   • Two years Customer Service experience in Import or similar type industries
   • Knowledgeable with computers, specifically Microsoft based applications
   • Proficient with Microsoft Excel
   • SAP experience preferred but not required
   • At least one-year experience processing orders, transactions and or requests
   • Strong time management, multi-tasking, prioritization and organizational skills.
   • Previous customer service experience Logistics knowledge/experience

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find import customer service managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any import customer service managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level import customer service managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting import customer service 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   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 import customer service manager

   Once you've found the import customer service manager candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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