The successful candidate must demonstrate advanced, hands-on mastery of International Commercial Trade Terms (Incoterms), with proven ability to apply, challenge, and optimise Freight Prepaid and Freight Collect structures across international shipments. This role requires commercial confidence to challenge freight pricing between sellers, buyers, and forwarders, alongside practical experience creating commercial invoices, managing Chamber of Commerce portals, calculating customs duties, and executing shipments through freight forwarder platforms.
This position plays a critical role in protecting the companys global supply chain integrity, financial accuracy, and customer satisfaction.
Main Responsibilities
Transport, Freight & Distribution Operations
Plan, execute, and control international shipments across road, sea, and air freight, managing volumes across domestic, European, and global routes.
Create, validate, and issue commercial invoices independently, ensuring full accuracy of:
Commodity codes (HS codes)
Country of Origin (COO)
Customs values
Incoterms (EXW focus)
Currency, freight, and insurance elements
Own the end-to-end export declaration process, covering all required customs export declarations, with full responsibility for data accuracy, regulatory compliance, and proactive resolution of any customs clearance issues..
Navigate and operate Chambers of Commerce portals, including:
Certificate of Origin (COO) application
Document legalization
Amendments and tracking
Liaise daily with freight forwarders (e.g. UPS, DHL, and other carrier portals) to:
Book shipments
Compare rates
Negotiate improved commercial terms
Optimise cost vs. transit time
Ensure Incoterms are applied correctly, with a strong operational knowledge.
Customs Compliance, Duties & Regulatory Control
Calculate and verify customs duties and charges, including:
Customs Duty
Excise Duty (where applicable)
VAT thresholds
Additional customs fees and surcharges
Ensure commodity codes are correctly assigned and validated, reducing risk of penalties, delays, or audits.
Maintain accurate Country of Origin declarations for all imports and exports, ensuring full compliance with customs authorities.
Monitor and apply international trade regulations, Incoterms, and customs legislation across all shipping lanes.
Act as the first point of escalation for customs queries, audits, holds, or discrepancies.
Manage post-Brexit UK–EU customs procedures, including import and export declarations, duty and VAT treatment, and border documentation.
Ensure compliance with post-Brexit regulatory requirements, including EORI (UK and EU), Incoterms application, and customs valuation rules.
Dangerous Goods & Special Shipments
Coordinate dangerous goods shipments, including lithium-ion batteries and regulated items, ensuring:
Correct classification
MSDS documentation
Carrier acceptance
Compliance with IATA, IMDG, and ADR regulations
Work proactively with forwarders to mitigate risks, delays, or noncompliance
Reverse Logistics
Manage and control returned goods processing, ensuring:
Correct classification
Customs reimport documentation (where applicable)
Inventory reconciliation
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with Production Planning to align shipment schedules with manufacturing output.
Communicate transparently with Sales, Purchasing, Finance, and Customer Service on:
Freight costs
Delivery timelines
Customs implications
Review Purchase Orders and freight invoices, validating transport charges and resolving discrepancies.
Traceability, KPIs & Continuous Improvement
Ensure full shipment traceability from order creation to final delivery.
Maintain and report on logistics KPIs, including:
Ontime delivery performance
Freight cost efficiency
Documentation accuracy
Proof of Export (POE) and Proof of Delivery (POD) acquisition
Actively manage and challenge external logistics suppliers, including third-party delivery companies and air freight providers, to negotiate improved commercial terms, reduce transport costs, and identify more competitive freight forwarding solutions.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
On-Time Delivery Rate (%)
Export & Import Freight Cost Variance
Accuracy & Timeliness of Shipping Documentation
Customs Compliance & Audit Readiness
Internal & External Customer Satisfaction Scores
Qualifications & Experience
Minimum 5 GCSEs (Grade C or above) including English and Mathematics (or equivalent).
Proven, hands-on experience in logistics, international shipping, or supply chain coordination.
Demonstrated experience exporting to Far East and Middle East markets
Salary description
£27000.00 - £30000.00 per year