BASED IN South East London
CONTRACT TYPE Full-time & permanent
ABOUT HENI
HENI is an international multi-services art business working at the intersection of art and technology. From printmaking and physical artwork marketplaces to NFTs, publishing, news, video production, and art research, HENI works with the world's leading artists and estates to make art accessible to audiences worldwide. We are ambitious, fast-moving, and unafraid to challenge how the art world operates.
THE OPPORTUNITY
HENI is seeking an experienced Head of Logistics to lead and take end-to-end responsibility for the company's logistics function. The remit covers domestic and international movement of original artworks and print editions, together with fulfilment for books, merchandise and other physical products.
Based in South East London, this is a hands-on leadership role combining specialist art logistics and high-volume e-commerce fulfilment. It is not a purely desk-based management position: the postholder will personally carry out day-to-day operational work, from arranging shipments and preparing documentation to coordinating suppliers, resolving issues and supporting warehouse and fulfilment activity.
They will work closely with the Head of Warehouse and across Sales, Customer Care, Production, Exhibitions, Finance and Technology.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the logistics function while remaining hands-on in day-to-day operations: set priorities and service standards, maintain up-to-date working procedures, plan capacity across exhibitions, primary projects and product releases, and ensure clear ownership and trained cover for critical processes.
- Manage the end-to-end logistics of artworks and print editions moving domestically and internationally, including collection, packing, transit, customs clearance and final delivery. Cover sales, exhibitions, loans, consignments, storage, production moves, returns and internal transfers; select the right shipper, route, packing/crating and installation service.
- Own and be able to operate fulfilment for editions, books and merchandise, including drop and allocation controls, production readiness, order checks, bulk labels, pickups, tracking, customer returns, damaged-stock replacement and accurate edition-number records.
- Build and manage the supplier framework, competitive tenders, carrier and platform relationships, shipping budgets, rates, surcharges, capacity and performance; maintain practical contingency arrangements for major drops and platform or carrier failures.
- Take full ownership of customs and excise compliance for imports and exports, including tariff classification, valuation, VAT, licensing and documentation. Manage pro formas, CPC codes, Incoterms, CITES/carnets, Temporary Admission, customs warehousing, proof-of-export deadlines, returned goods and any approved client self-collection; liaise with HMRC and brokers.
- Set proportionate packing, insurance and condition-reporting requirements; maintain chain-of-custody records and manage customs holds, loss, damage, claims, repair/replacement and root-cause action. Apply appropriate controls to replaceable numbered editions.
- Maintain a complete, searchable and compliant record of every movement, including website/offline shipments, allocations, cancellations, returns and replacements. Improve dashboards, deadline alerts, data integrations, movement tracking and automation so the function does not depend on personal folders or a single person/platform.
- Coordinate closely with Warehouse, Sales, Customer Care, Production, Exhibitions, Finance, Legal and Technology; communicate costs, lead times and risks clearly, protect client/artist confidentiality, support a premium customer experience and escalate errors transparently.
CANDIDATE PROFILE
A strong background in art is preferred. The successful candidate will combine art-handling judgement, customs expertise, commercial discipline and the ability to lead while remaining actively involved in day-to-day logistics work.
Essential experience and capabilities
- At least five years' relevant experience in registrar, logistics or customs compliance work, including senior ownership of complex international movements and the ability to lead people and partners.
- Proven experience moving art or other high-value, fragile goods, with sound judgement on handling, packing/crating, transport modes, condition evidence and insurance.
- Deep working knowledge of customs and VAT, including commodity codes, import/export documents, proof of export, Temporary Admission and bonded/customs warehouse controls.
- Practical understanding of high-volume parcel or e-commerce fulfilment, shipping platforms, order data, carrier operations, returns and operational resilience.
- Strong supplier and commercial skills: tenders, rate negotiation, budgeting, cost comparison, service performance and capacity planning.
- Confident with spreadsheets, document repositories, inventory/shipping systems and operational data; able to improve controls, reporting and processes.
- Highly organised, meticulous, discreet and calm under pressure, with clear communication, strong customer judgement and full ownership from problem through resolution. Comfortable working hands-on across office, warehouse and fulfilment activity.
WHY HENI
This is an opportunity to shape how HENI moves unique artworks and exhibitions, high-volume editions, books and merchandise - combining specialist art care, international trade, customer experience and scalable fulfilment in one accountable function.