Operations & Financial Ops Specialist- Chicago

CEVA Logistics provides global supply chain solutions to connect people, products, and providers all around the world. Present in 170+ countries and with more than 110,000 employees spread over 1,500 sites, we are proud to be a Top 5 global 3PL.

We believe that our employees are the key to our success. We want to engage and empower our diverse, global team to co-create value with our customers through our solutions in contract logistics and air, ocean, ground, and finished vehicle transport. That is why CEVA Logistics offers a dynamic and exceptional work environment that fosters personal growth, innovation, and continuous improvement.

At CEVA Logistics, we Rise in Motion.  Your career is always on the move, growing as fast and as far as your ambition takes you. Join a global team of nearly 200 nationalities, shaping the future of global trade, moving essential goods, forging new paths, and pushing boundaries to serve an ever-changing world. The pace is fast, the challenges are real, but the rewards are greater: growth, purpose, and the chance to make a meaningful impact. This is more than a job. It’s a journey on which you rise. 

Starting Compensation Range: $55,000- $62,000 (This is an Hourly role, and is eligible for overtime) + Benefits

Position Summary

The Operations & Financial Ops Specialist is responsible for ensuring the profitability, financial integrity, and operational compliance of the Freight Forwarding business by monitoring revenue, costs, job profitability, billing accuracy, and data quality across Air, Ocean operations. The role acts as a key liaison between Operations, Finance, Shared Services, customers, and vendors, overseeing financial controls, vendor relationship management, statement of account (SOA) review and reconciliation, process improvement initiatives, and operational performance analysis to drive efficiency, reduce revenue leakage, improve cash flow.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor revenue recognition, gross profit, and shipment profitability.
• Review high-profit and high-loss files and investigate root causes.
• Monitor Work-In-Progress (WIP) and aging balances.
• Control accruals, provisions, and cost allocations related to freight forwarding operations.
• Identify and prevent revenue leakage, billing delays, and unbilled shipments.
• Support month-end closing activities and financial reporting requirements.
• Analyze margin performance by customer, trade lane, branch, and product
• Monitor AP invoices on hold, unallocated costs, and outstanding accruals.
• Ensure timely invoicing of completed shipments.
• Conduct daily financial health checks of operational files
• Monitor operational finance KPIs and establish corrective action plans.
• Ensure shipment data accuracy and consistency within operational systems.
• Track: Job Closure KPI, Cost Accrual Accuracy and timeliness, Billing Timeliness, WIP Aging, NR
• Follow and resolve financials disputes with internal and external vendors or customers
• Analyze trends and identify operational and financial risks.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase productivity and profitability.
• Support automation, system enhancements, and process standardization.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting guidelines, and audit requirements.
• Support UAT testing and implementation of system enhancements.
• Train and coach operational teams, shared services on financial KPIs, job costing, and file management best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• High School Diploma or GED required. Associates Degree, or equivalent combination of work experience is preferred.
• Three to Five years of specialized logistics or related operations support experience.
• Knowledge of Cargowise TMS/Onbase is a plus.
• Advanced Excel, Power BI, and data analytics skills.
• Strong financial analysis, problem-solving, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Demonstrate ability to lead and influence indirect teams,  engage operational sectors, and drive cross-functional performance improvement initiatives within the organization.

CEVA operates in a multicultural, global environment and is a richly diverse organization operating seamlessly as one company. We aim to attract, motivate and retain the best people in our industry, whatever their background.  We share the same passion to deliver world-class solutions to our customers. We have the best supply chain professionals in the industry and develop this talent in an inspiring work environment.

CEVA Logistics is proud to be an equal opportunity work place and an affirmative action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status or any other characteristic.  We are an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individual with Disabilities.

Please note:  Legitimate CEVA Logistics recruitment processes include communication with candidates through recognized professional networks, such as LinkedIn or via an official company email address: firstname.lastname@cevalogistics.com. We recommend that you do not respond to unsolicited business propositions and/or offers from people with whom you are unfamiliar.

Information provided is true and accurate.  False statements or information will result in the application voided.

Outstanding benefits for employee and family including multiple health plans(company contribution to health savings account), prescription, dental and vision coverage.
Company paid life insurance, accident insurance, short- and long-term disability coverage and employee assistance plan.
Voluntary benefits including additional life insurance, AD&D coverage, buy-up short- and long-term disability, critical illness, identify theft & legal plan.
401(k) with company match.
Flexible Paid Time Off programs including company paid holidays.
Tuition reimbursement program.