Logistics Supervisor
Company: Astor International Ltd
Salary: £33,000–£36,000 per annum
Location: Segensworth North, Fareham
Employment Type: Full-time
About Astor International Ltd
Astor International Ltd manufactures specialist packaging solutions for the defence and military sectors, including metal ammunition boxes and artillery packaging. Due to continued operational requirements, we are seeking an experienced Logistics Supervisor to oversee the end-to-end movement of customer orders, purchasing requirements and international shipments.
This is a hands-on and highly organised role suited to someone who is comfortable managing a high volume of concurrent activity, working with freight forwarders and shipping agents, and ensuring that orders move efficiently from purchase order through to final delivery.
The Role
The Logistics Supervisor will have responsibility for coordinating and overseeing the company's day-to-day operational movements.
You will act as a central point of coordination between sales, purchasing, production, customers, suppliers, freight forwarders, hauliers and other logistics providers, ensuring that orders and shipments are processed accurately and delivered on time.
The successful candidate will be capable of managing 100+ shipments and associated activities concurrently, maintaining excellent attention to detail while prioritising urgent and time-critical movements.
Key Responsibilities
Logistics & Shipping
- Manage the end-to-end logistics process for domestic and international customer orders.
- Coordinate air, sea, rail and road freight shipments through established freight forwarders and logistics providers.
- Obtain and compare freight quotations and select appropriate shipping solutions based on cost, service and delivery requirements.
- Book shipments with freight forwarders, carriers, hauliers and other transport providers.
- Monitor shipments from collection through to final delivery.
- Track and proactively resolve delays, customs issues, missing documentation and delivery problems.
- Manage multiple shipments simultaneously, often exceeding 100 live shipments/orders at any one time.
- Ensure shipments are dispatched in accordance with customer requirements and agreed delivery dates.
- Coordinate collections, deliveries, loading requirements and transport arrangements.
- Maintain accurate shipment records and provide regular updates to internal teams and customers.
Shipping Documentation & Compliance
- Prepare, check and issue all relevant shipping and export documentation.
- Ensure documentation is accurate, complete and available before goods are dispatched.
- Work with freight forwarders and customs agents to ensure shipments meet applicable import/export requirements.
- Prepare and manage documentation such as commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, shipping instructions and other required transport documentation.
- Ensure customer-specific shipping requirements are understood and followed.
- Liaise with freight forwarders regarding customs clearance and documentation requirements.
- Maintain appropriate records for audit and traceability purposes.
Order & Purchase Order Management
- Oversee the operational movement of customer orders and purchase orders from receipt through to fulfilment and dispatch.
- Coordinate with purchasing to ensure materials and components arrive in line with production and customer requirements.
- Liaise with production and warehouse teams to establish realistic dispatch dates.
- Identify potential delays or supply issues at an early stage and take corrective action.
- Ensure orders are correctly prioritised according to customer requirements and business needs.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date order and shipment information within company systems.
Customer Service
- Act as a key point of contact for customers regarding order status, shipment arrangements and delivery dates.
- Provide clear and timely updates on the progress of orders and shipments.
- Respond quickly and professionally to customer queries.
- Manage delivery issues and work with internal and external parties to achieve effective resolutions.
- Ensure customers are kept informed of delays or changes before they become problems.
Internal Coordination
- Work closely with Sales, Purchasing, Production, Warehouse, Finance and Management to coordinate operational requirements.
- Ensure all departments have accurate information regarding order status, production requirements and shipment schedules.
- Identify bottlenecks and implement practical solutions to keep goods moving.
- Assist management with logistics planning, reporting and cost control.
- Maintain strong working relationships with freight forwarders, shipping agents, suppliers and transport companies.
Essential Experience & Skills
The successful candidate must have:
- Proven experience in a logistics, shipping, freight or supply-chain role.
- Significant experience working directly with freight forwarders.
- Practical experience arranging air, sea, rail and road shipments.
- Strong experience preparing and managing shipping and export documentation.
- Experience managing a high volume of concurrent shipments/orders, ideally 100+ live movements.
- Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Experience dealing with international customers and suppliers.
- The ability to prioritise multiple urgent requirements simultaneously.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills.
- The ability to identify problems early and take ownership of resolving them.
- Good IT skills and experience working with ERP/order-management systems.
- The ability to work independently while also coordinating effectively across multiple departments.
Desirable Experience
Experience in any of the following would be advantageous:
- Defence, military, engineering or manufacturing environments.
- Export-controlled or regulated products.
- International export logistics.
- Customs procedures and customs clearance.
- Dangerous goods / regulated goods shipping requirements.
- Incoterms and international commercial terms.
- Freight cost negotiation and carrier management.
- Working with overseas distributors, customers and suppliers.
- Experience managing logistics for manufactured or technical products.
- Experience working with metal packaging, ammunition packaging or defence-related products.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone who is:
- Highly organised and able to manage a large volume of activity without losing attention to detail.
- Proactive and able to anticipate problems before they affect customers.
- Commercially aware, with an understanding of freight costs, lead times and service levels.
- Calm under pressure, particularly when dealing with urgent shipments or competing priorities.
- Confident and professional when dealing with customers, suppliers and logistics providers.
- A strong communicator who keeps colleagues informed and follows issues through to resolution.
- Accountable, taking ownership of shipments and orders from start to finish.
- Practical and solutions-focused, rather than simply escalating problems.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £33,000.00-£36,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Are you a genuine job seeker looking for full time employment?
Experience:
- Administrative experience: 1 year (required)
- Logistics: 1 year (preferred)
Language:
- Fluent English (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
