Our client was founded in 1975 and is a global freight forwarding company.

Part of a much larger group it focuses on providing value-added services. The company has offices and warehouses   in the UK, Europe, The Americas and the Far East which underpin its freight management methodology and facilitate optimal customer service levels.

 The company has established itself as an important provider of international and domestic freight management services, recognised by the industry as an innovative and quality-focused service provider.

They are seeking an Imports Co-ordinator to be based at their UK Head Office in Central London. The position is permanent.

Reporting into the Global and Imports Business Unit Manager, the successful candidate will arrange the movement of sea, air and road shipments, customs clearance and delivery.

You will track air, sea and road shipments during all stages until final delivery and will negotiate the best service and price from suppliers and achieve maximum cost reduction to produce margin improvements.

You will ensure that all shipments are undertaken to exceed customer expectation in terms of standard service, costs and time frames.

You will operate within the Company strategy and objectives within our clients Imports Business Unit.

You will follow internal procedures and standards and will attend monthly team briefings and will identify personal development needs and will exercise flexibility to support other members of the team as necessary.

In addition you will ensure all existing customers and potential new customers are fully aware of the Imports Business Unit and company service offer.

You will address all action points from meetings within the appropriate timescales.

You will carry out supplier review meetings and will raise SOC’s for any issues that arise, ensure root cause is identified and preventive measures implemented.

You will advise your Line Manager of any operational procedures that are to be reviewed in cases of failure of current procedures.

You will ensure invoicing is carried out in accordance with business unit regulations, 3 days after clearance.

You will ensure all operational activities are compliant with HMRC regulations.

You will ensure you have clients acceptance of our clients rates before proceeding with shipments.

You will quote prices to potential and existing customers, as and when required within agreed timescale and within Limits of Authority.

You will ensure quotations are provided in a timely manner.

You will ensure the deferment account is reconciled monthly.

You will keep customers updated of all key stages of shipments.

You will examine internal performance documents relating to sales and gross margin to ensure accuracy.

You will identify issues with current operating practice, and suggest ways to improve operating performance.

Finally you will develop new processes and practices to advocate a culture of continuous improvement.

 You will be an accomplished Imports Co-ordinator with a very good understanding and experience of customs regimes, customs tariff and import customs procedures.

 Ideally you will have a good understanding of customs warehousing and customs duty / vat deferment.

 Ideally you will have previous experience of working within forwarding companies / 3PL environment.

 You will have excellent communications skills (both written and verbal) and will possess strong administrative, organisational and time management skills.

 Our client is offering a basic salary of £23,000pa. In addition there is a bonus scheme which can pay up to 20% of annual salary (typically between 16-19% has been paid). Other benefits include 25 days holiday plus public holidays, pension scheme etc.