CFS OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE
Company: LAFT, Inc.
Location: Gardena, California
Department: CFS Operations
Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Operations Manager
Compensation: $18.50–$22.00 per hour
POSITION SUMMARY
LAFT, Inc. is seeking a dependable and detail-oriented CFS Operations Associate to support the daily operations of our Container Freight Station.
This position combines office-based shipment coordination with warehouse inventory verification. Primary responsibilities include maintaining accurate cargo and inventory records, monitoring inbound and outbound shipments, preparing cargo-release documents, checking in drivers, coordinating shipment segregation and labeling, responding to customers, and providing timely updates to management.
The ideal candidate is organized, attentive to detail, comfortable working in both office and warehouse environments, and able to communicate professionally with customers, drivers, warehouse personnel, dispatchers, and management.
WORK SCHEDULE
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., including a one-hour unpaid meal period.
This is a full-time, on-site, non-exempt position. Occasional early starts, extended hours, overtime, and weekend work may be required based on operational needs. All overtime will be compensated in accordance with applicable federal and California law.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Inbound Cargo Coordination
• Review photographs and receiving information uploaded by warehouse personnel after cargo is devanned from containers.
• Organize photographs and cargo information by shipment, customer, house bill, or other applicable reference number.
• Prepare and send clear inbound cargo, receiving, and availability updates to customers.
• Verify that cargo quantities, marks, labels, and shipment details are accurately entered in the operating system.
• Promptly report shortages, overages, damages, unidentified cargo, or other discrepancies to the Operations Manager.
Outbound Cargo Coordination
• Review outbound and loading photographs uploaded by warehouse personnel after cargo is released.
• Confirm that released cargo matches the applicable customer instructions, release authorization, and system records.
• Send customers timely pickup and release confirmations, including shipment details and supporting photographs when appropriate.
• Print and prepare Bills of Lading, warehouse release documents, and other shipping paperwork required for cargo pickup.
• Update the shipment status in the operating system after cargo is released.
Driver and Truck Verification
• Check in arriving drivers and confirm the driver’s name, trucking company, vehicle information, pickup authorization, and shipment details.
• Verify that the driver and truck information matches the applicable release instructions before preparing or providing cargo-release documents.
• Confirm which shipment, house bill, or cargo the driver is authorized to pick up.
• Verify pickup numbers, reference numbers, and other required release information.
• Immediately report missing, inconsistent, or unauthorized pickup information to the Operations Manager.
Inventory and System Management
• Maintain accurate and current CFS cargo inventory records in the operating system.
• Enter new orders, shipment information, and customer instructions accurately and promptly.
• Monitor cargo availability and readiness at the applicable port or terminal.
• Update shipment statuses in the operating system as cargo moves through each operational milestone.
• Regularly walk through warehouse areas to verify physical inventory against system records.
• Inspect cargo locations, carton counts, cargo marks, labels, and shipment identification.
• Investigate and reconcile inventory or status discrepancies with warehouse personnel and management.
Segregation and Label Coordination
• Identify outbound shipments requiring segregation based on customer instructions and shipping documents.
• Administratively organize shipment information by customer, house bill, carton, lot, model, purchase order, or other applicable cargo grouping.
• Prepare labels and written segregation instructions for the warehouse team.
• Coordinate with warehouse personnel to ensure that the correct cargo is identified, segregated, labeled, and prepared for release.
• Confirm that segregation and labeling information is accurately documented in the operating system.
• Physical cargo segregation is not a routine responsibility of this position. However, the employee may occasionally need to lift, move, or reposition a small carton weighing less than 20 pounds to inspect cargo, view a carton or label underneath, verify inventory, or complete labeling responsibilities.
Customer Service and Reporting
• Respond to customer emails professionally, accurately, and in a timely manner.
• Provide customers with cargo availability, receiving, inventory, pickup, release, and shipment-status information.
• Organize and communicate shipment information clearly and accurately.
• Coordinate with customers, warehouse personnel, drivers, dispatchers, and other operational parties to resolve routine shipment issues.
• Escalate cargo holds, damages, shortages, overages, documentation discrepancies, unauthorized pickup attempts, or other operational exceptions to the Operations Manager.
• Provide regular operational updates and reports to management.
• Perform other related CFS operations duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
• Previous experience in CFS operations, freight forwarding, warehousing, transportation, drayage, or logistics is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with cargo-release procedures, Bills of Lading, delivery orders, pickup numbers, warehouse inventory, and devanning operations is preferred.
• Strong data-entry and recordkeeping skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to learn and use CFS, warehouse, inventory, and transportation operating systems.
• Proficiency with email and standard office applications, including Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to communicate professionally with customers, drivers, warehouse personnel, and management.
• Ability to organize photographs, shipping documents, cargo information, labels, and customer correspondence accurately.
• Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive shipments and changing operational priorities.
• Ability to identify discrepancies, follow established cargo-release procedures, and promptly escalate issues.
• Dependable attendance, punctuality, and flexibility to work occasional early starts, extended hours, overtime, or weekends when operationally necessary.
PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT REQUIREMENTS
• This position includes both office-based responsibilities and regular activity within operational warehouse areas.
• Ability to move between office and warehouse areas and walk through the warehouse to inspect and verify cargo inventory.
• Ability to stand and walk for intermittent periods and to bend, reach, or crouch as reasonably necessary to inspect cargo and labels.
• Ability to visually inspect carton labels, cargo marks, quantities, shipment identification, and cargo locations.
• Ability to occasionally lift, move, or reposition cartons weighing less than 20 pounds for inventory verification, inspection, access, or labeling purposes, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to work safely around normal warehouse operations and moving material-handling equipment.
• Must follow all applicable warehouse safety, security, and personal protective equipment requirements.
COMPENSATION
The hourly pay range for this position is $18.50–$22.00 per hour.
The selected candidate’s starting rate will fall within the posted range and will be determined based on job-related experience, skills, training, and qualifications. This is a non-exempt position and is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with applicable federal and California law.
BENEFITS
Eligible full-time employees may receive the following benefits, subject to applicable plan terms, eligibility requirements, and company policies:
• Employer-sponsored health insurance
• Company-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid vacation
• Paid sick leave in accordance with applicable California law and company policy
EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. LAFT, Inc. does not provide employment visa sponsorship for this position.
Employment eligibility will be verified in accordance with applicable federal law after the applicant accepts an offer of employment.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your résumé and a brief summary of your relevant experience to joon.park@laftinc.com.
Please include “CFS Operations Associate” in the subject line.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
LAFT, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, ancestry, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
LAFT, Inc. provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs or practices, as required by applicable law. Applicants who require an accommodation during the hiring process may contact joon.park@laftinc.com.
FAIR CHANCE HIRING
LAFT, Inc. will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. Applicants do not need to disclose criminal-history information or participate in a background check before receiving a conditional offer of employment.
