📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Entry Writer
🔹 Company: CJ Logistics
🔹 Location: Des Plaines, Illinois
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time
🔹 Category: Logistics & Supply Chain
🔹 Date Posted: April 4, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: Entry Level
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Reviewing import and export documents
- Ensuring customs invoices and shipment papers are present
- Preparing paperwork for clearance
- Answering client customs questions
- Utilizing specialized software to track inventory
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of administrative and clerical tasks, requiring strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Review import and export documents to ensure all necessary paperwork is present
✅ Prepare customs clearance paperwork
✅ Answer client customs questions and provide assistance as needed
✅ Utilize specialized software to track inventory and monitor processing for goods going through customs
✅ Apply for drawbacks and refunds, and sign brokerage documents
✅ Organize customs rejections and complete clerical duties as assigned
✅ May be required to be on call and work as part of a Saturday rotation
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong attention to detail and the ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Transportation, or Supply Chain Management is preferred
Experience: 1 year of professional experience or related training
Required Skills:
- Experience with organization, planning, and follow-through
- 1 year of experience in Customs Brokerage
- Experience working in a TMS and/or CRM
- Competency in Microsoft Office and Google applications
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
- Ability to exercise judgment and discretion and function independently
Preferred Skills:
- Fluency in a second language (beneficial but not required)
ASSUMPTION: While a Bachelor’s degree is preferred, relevant experience and a strong skill set may be considered in lieu of a degree.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $55,000 - $60,000 per year
Benefits:
- Full health insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
- 401(k)
- Life insurance
- Tuition assistance
- Paid time off (PTO)
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for entry-level logistics positions in the Des Plaines, Illinois area.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Transportation, Logistics, Supply Chain, and Storage
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees
Founded: CJ Logistics was founded in 1999 and has since grown into a global leader in logistics and supply chain management.
Company Description:
- CJ Logistics provides integrated global supply chain services, maximizing customer value through continuous improvement and innovation.
- The company operates technology-driven logistics businesses at 280 bases in 40 countries around the world.
- CJ Logistics America, a division of CJ Logistics, is responsible for leading warehousing, transportation, and freight forwarding operations across the North America region.
Company Specialties:
- Warehouse management
- Transportation management
- Freight forwarding
- Value-added services
- Omnichannel
- Supply chain consulting
- Supply chain packaging
- Public warehousing
- Warehouse engineering and automation
- International freight forwarding
- Cross-border transportation
- Asset-based transportation
- Business process integration
- Retail consolidation
- Business intelligence
- TES
- Technology
- Engineering
- Systems and solutions
- 3PL
- Third-party logistics
- Asset-based fleet
- Fulfillment center
- 4PL
- Point of sales operations
- Cross-docking services
- Plant buffers
- E-commerce
- Omnichannel fulfillment
- Reverse logistics
- Custom packaging
- Sorting systems
- Picking systems
- Direct to consumer
- Drayage
- Direct plant shipping
- Brokerage
- Dedicated contract carrier
- Multimodal
- Cross-border transport
- Parcel optimization
- Carrier performance management
- Strategic carrier sourcing
- Shipment visibility
- Consolidation
- Customs brokerage
- CHB
- And foreign trade zone
Company Website: CJ Logistics America
ASSUMPTION: CJ Logistics is a large, established company with a diverse range of services and a global presence. This role may offer opportunities for career growth and development within the organization.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Entry-level to mid-level
Reporting Structure: This role may report to a Customs Brokerage Manager or similar supervisory position.
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time position with potential on-call and Saturday rotation requirements.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into more senior roles within the Customs Brokerage department or other areas of the business.
- Opportunities to develop specialized skills and expertise in customs clearance and logistics processes.
- Possibility to work on high-profile projects and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
ASSUMPTION: As an entry-level position, this role may offer limited growth opportunities initially, but with strong performance and relevant experience, candidates can expect to progress within the organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Corporate office environment
Office Location(s): Des Plaines, Illinois
Geographic Context:
- Des Plaines is a suburb of Chicago, Illinois, with a population of approximately 60,000 people.
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with easy access to major highways and public transportation.
- Des Plaines is home to several major corporations and has a diverse range of industries, including logistics, manufacturing, and retail.
Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday, with potential on-call and Saturday rotation requirements.
ASSUMPTION: The Des Plaines office may offer a collaborative and dynamic work environment, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of colleagues and clients.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- In-person or virtual interview with the hiring manager
- Background check and reference check
- Job offer
Key Assessment Areas:
- Customs clearance knowledge and experience
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving abilities
- Cultural fit with the company and team
Application Tips:
- Highlight any relevant experience or skills gained through internships, part-time jobs, or extracurricular activities.
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize the skills and qualifications required for this role.
- Prepare examples of your experience with customs clearance, inventory tracking, or related tasks to discuss during the interview.
- Research CJ Logistics and the customs clearance process to demonstrate your understanding of the industry and the company's services.
ATS Keywords: Customs clearance, customs brokerage, inventory tracking, logistics, supply chain, customs invoices, shipment papers, customs questions, specialized software, clerical duties, on-call, Saturday rotation
ASSUMPTION: The interview process for this role may focus on assessing the candidate's attention to detail, organizational skills, and understanding of customs clearance processes.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Specialized software for customs clearance and inventory tracking
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Applications (Gmail, Google Drive, Google Docs)
- Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software
- Transportation Management System (TMS) software
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the specific needs of the department and the company's internal systems.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-centric
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Integrity and accountability
- Sustainability and social responsibility
Work Style:
- Fast-paced and dynamic
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on continuous improvement
- Adaptable and flexible, with the ability to work in a changing environment
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you have strong attention to detail and excellent organizational skills?
- Are you comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment?
- Do you have experience or a strong understanding of customs clearance processes?
- Are you a team player with strong communication and interpersonal skills?
- Do you share CJ Logistics' commitment to customer-centricity, innovation, and sustainability?
ASSUMPTION: CJ Logistics values a diverse and inclusive work environment, and candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- High volume of work and tight deadlines
- Requirements to be on-call and work as part of a Saturday rotation
- Potential exposure to sensitive or confidential client information
- Need to maintain a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment
- Potential for limited growth opportunities in the early stages of the role
ASSUMPTION: While this role may present some challenges, it also offers opportunities for career growth and development within a large, established organization.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Customs Entry Writer vs. Customs Brokerage Clerk: Both roles involve customs clearance processes, but the Entry Writer role may have a stronger focus on administrative and clerical tasks, while the Brokerage Clerk role may involve more client-facing and problem-solving responsibilities.
- Industry-specific context: The customs clearance process can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a strong understanding of international trade regulations and procedures.
- Career path comparison: This role may serve as an entry point into a career in customs brokerage or logistics, with opportunities for progression into more senior roles within the department or other areas of the business.
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares some similarities with other customs brokerage positions, it also has unique aspects that set it apart within the industry.
📝 Sample Projects
- Reviewing and processing a high volume of customs clearance documents for a major retail client
- Implementing a new inventory tracking system to improve efficiency and accuracy in the customs clearance process
- Collaborating with a cross-functional team to develop and implement a customized solution for a client with complex customs clearance needs
ASSUMPTION: The specific projects and tasks associated with this role may vary depending on the department's needs and the company's client base.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most challenging aspects of this role, and how can I best prepare to succeed in them?
- How does this role fit into the broader customs brokerage department and the company as a whole?
- What opportunities are there for career growth and development within the department or the company?
- How does the company support work-life balance for employees in this role?
- What are the most important qualities and skills for success in this role, and how can I demonstrate them during the interview process?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful and insightful questions during the interview process can help demonstrate your interest in the role and your commitment to success.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills, with a focus on customs clearance, inventory tracking, and administrative tasks.
- Prepare examples of your experience with customs clearance, inventory tracking, or related tasks to discuss during the interview.
- If applicable, be prepared to provide examples of your portfolio or relevant work samples to showcase your skills and qualifications.
- Follow up with the hiring manager one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application and express your continued interest in the role.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
