Job Purpose
To coordinate and administer sea freight export shipments from booking through to final documentation and departure, ensuring shipments are processed accurately, efficiently, and in accordance with customer requirements, carrier procedures, and applicable customs and regulatory requirements.
Key Responsibilities
- Arrange and coordinate sea freight export shipments from receipt of booking through to vessel departure.
- Liaise with customers, shipping lines, hauliers, customs agents, overseas offices, and other service providers.
- Obtain and process shipping instructions and ensure all shipment details are accurate.
- Prepare and check export documentation, including:
- Bills of lading / sea waybills
- Commercial invoices
- Packing lists
- Certificates of origin and other supporting documents
- Export declarations and related customs documentation
- Make bookings with shipping lines and monitor vessel schedules, cut-off times, and container movements.
- Coordinate collection and delivery of containers with transport providers.
- Ensure containers are available, collected, loaded, and returned within the required timeframes.
- Monitor shipment milestones and proactively advise customers of delays, changes, or issues.
- Check freight rates, charges, and supplier invoices where required.
- Raise customer invoices and ensure relevant costs are correctly recorded.
- Maintain accurate shipment records and update the company's freight management system.
- Ensure compliance with company procedures, customs requirements, carrier instructions, and relevant export regulations.
- Resolve operational issues and customer queries promptly and professionally.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with customers, suppliers, and internal departments.
- Assist with resolving documentation discrepancies, demurrage/detention issues, and shipment exceptions.
- Provide regular shipment updates and reports to customers and management.
- Maintain a high standard of customer service while meeting operational deadlines and KPIs.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Previous experience in sea freight and the sea freight export process.
- Experience dealing with shipping lines, hauliers, customers, and customs procedures.
- Strong administrative and organisational skills.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines simultaneously.
- Good written and verbal communication skills.
- Confident using Microsoft Office, particularly Outlook and Excel.
- Experience using a freight forwarding or transport management system.
- Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to a team.
- Strong problem-solving and customer-service skills.
Desirable
- Knowledge of UK export customs procedures and systems.
- Experience with CNS, CDS, Destin8, or similar shipping/customs platforms, where applicable.
- Knowledge of Incoterms.
- Understanding of FCL and LCL export processes.
- Knowledge of dangerous goods procedures.
- Previous experience preparing or checking Bills of Lading.
- Relevant logistics, freight forwarding, or customs qualifications.
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will be:
- Highly organised and methodical.
- Reliable and deadline-focused.
- Detail-oriented with a strong emphasis on accuracy.
- Calm under pressure and capable of prioritising competing demands.
- Proactive in identifying and resolving problems.
- Professional and confident when communicating with customers and suppliers.
- Commercially aware.
- A positive team player with a willingness to learn.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Cycle to work scheme
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Experience:
- OPERATIONAL: 2 years (preferred)
Work Location: In person
