Founded in 2003, Richmond-based Estes Forwarding Worldwide (EFW) is a domestic and international freight forwarder. At EFW, we are always on. Our commitment to personal service has made us a leader in logistic solutions across the globe. With offices across the country, EFW offers a full range of domestic and international solutions—including air, ocean, ground and international transportation—that few competitors can match.

The Apprentice, Experience Program, reports directly to the Director, Corporate Operations. Throughout the duration of the Experience Program, the Apprentice will report daily to the Supervisor or Manager of the relevant department in which they are training. The primary duties of the Apprentice are to learn and successfully pass assessments on each segment of EFW business. The Apprentice may carry out responsibilities in some or all of the following functional areas: domestic operations, global operations, truckload operations, and sales.

The Experience Program is a three to four month program that is designed to develop future Operations and Sales leaders within EFW. Upon successful completion of the program, the individual will be able to make an immediate impact and contribution in their designated role.

EFW hires for this role usually twice per year only. The next scheduled Experience Program is set to start in June of 2021. Although you may apply and  we may interview candidates prior, no one will start employment with EFW in this role prior to June of 2021.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Successfully learn to track, trace, and monitor Estes Forwarding shipments and update Operating System as appropriate.
• Understand how to proactively identify shipments at risk of service failure and ensure on-time delivery or escalate as needed.
• Learn how to evaluate multiple transportation options, pricing, timing, availability, volume, and other factors.
• Learn how to carry out assignments in conducting work for EFW and its clients, including evaluating multiple options regarding transportation; pricing, timing, availability, volume and other factors with direction from management when appropriate.
• Understand how to research all possible routings via airlines, line-haul, pick-up/delivery, scheduling, and geographic servicing. Utilize the most efficient and cost effective routes. Document with detailed trace notes and accurate data entry. Complete additional shipping documents as required.
• Thoroughly document all information for every shipment including special customer requests, documentation of agent specials, the assignment of special authorization numbers, ship tracing information, and OS&D information. Maintain with accuracy, appropriate TSA and DOT documents including documents for the movement of Dangerous Goods.
• Learn to secure EFW business by utilizing telephone sales techniques.
• Successfully develop and maintain functional knowledge of the products, services, and operations offered by the company and actively participate in product training sessions.
• Must successfully pass all assessments on each segment of EFW business.
• Must regularly meet with assigned mentor from the Experience Mentorship Program.
• Support and promote company core values.
• Regular attendance is required.
• Comply with company C-TPAT and TSA security procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Must be willing to work flexible hours and various shifts.
• Ability to write comprehensive and detailed business correspondence.
• Ability to work with groups of people such as other departments.
• Ability to present to a group of departments as applicable.
• Ability to solve problems with a variety of concrete variables through standardized solutions that require some ingenuity and analysis.
• Ability to draw inferences and follow prescribed and detailed procedures to solve moderately complex problems.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office, internet, web-based, and job specific software applications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the public.
• Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage multiple projects and set priorities.
• Possess demonstrated effective problem solving, telephone sales, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills and must be able to clearly convey short and long-term defined goals.
• Maintain stable performance under pressure or opposition; handle stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and the organization.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, random drug and/or alcohol tests, and will be subject to a criminal history background check.
• At this time, EFW will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.
• EFW offers an opportunity to grow and develop your career in an environment that provides a fulfilling workplace for employees, creates an environment for continuous learning, and embraces the ideas and diversity of others. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, pregnancy, race, ethnicity, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected status.

Position functions with supervision and has no direct reports.

Minimum of a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) and a minimum of 0-3 years’ work experience preferred. However, a combination of experience and/or education will be taken into consideration.

Periodic travel up to 50% required.

Typically sitting at a desk or table. Intermittently sitting, standing, walking or stooping.