Ocean export operations clerk

About the company

Our client, a growing logistics business, is looking to recruit an experienced Sea Freight Export Coordinator to join their Sea Freight Operations team.

Your tasks

• Coordinate and manage sea freight export and cross-trade shipments, ensuring all activities are completed accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Ensure all financial, legal, customs and invoicing requirements are met throughout the shipment process.
• Prepare and complete customs export declarations accurately, reporting any amendments to the line manager immediately.
• Maintain and update the operational system, ensuring all shipment information is recorded correctly and kept up to date.
• Support business development activities by identifying sales leads and communicating opportunities to the line manager.
• Maintain regular communication with the line manager and sales team, including the effective handover of shipments and customer requirements.
• Assist in maintaining and updating departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers and internal departments, providing regular updates and feedback to management.
• Follow up on overdue customer payments in collaboration with the Credit Control team.
• Communicate quotations to the line manager and sales team, ensuring all quotations are accurately recorded in the operational system using the agreed format.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve operational efficiency and customer workflows in collaboration with the line manager.
• Complete export invoicing accurately within 48 hours of the final shipment activity.
• Ensure insurance charges are applied correctly and promptly escalate any insurance claims to the line manager.
• Provide operational cover for colleagues during periods of annual leave or sickness, as required.

Requirements

Skills and Experience Required

• A minimum of two years' experience in sea freight exports is essential.
• Experience in sea freight imports and/or air freight exports would be advantageous.
• A sound understanding of freight forwarding operations, logistics processes and relevant procedures.
• Experience preparing customs export declarations and managing export documentation.
• Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel.
• Experience producing reports and working with Excel spreadsheets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence communicating professionally by telephone and email.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing deadlines.

Experience needed: You will be a motivated and reliable logistics professional who takes pride in delivering a high standard of service. You will be comfortable managing multiple shipments, maintaining accurate records and communicating effectively with customers, colleagues and external partners.

With a keen eye for detail and the ability to work in a fast-paced operational environment, you will contribute to the smooth running of the Sea Freight Operations department and support the business in achieving its commercial objectives.