Import Coordinator
Thousands of manufacturing businesses in the UK rely on a smooth and uninterrupted flow of imports to ensure productivity is maximised. The same applies to retailers and wholesale companies too. Warehousing can take up some of the slack, but in many cases, wherever imports are optimised and storage is minimised, efficiency is at its peak. Ensuring all this happens is the import coordinator (no pressure then).
The import coordinator will be in constant contact with suppliers all around the world, making sure stocks and production levels are adequate for the projected needs of their employer. And that’s just the start of the journey – import coordinator jobs tend to require oversight of the freight import process, and that means being on the ball with transportation, usually via third party carriers.
Many import coordinator jobs will also require a degree of understanding of the paperwork and customs requirements to bring goods into the country from the various jurisdictions they deal with, although the job is often purely logistical, with the legals being covered by other specialists.
The skills required
Import coordinator job descriptions often ask for accomplished jugglers – people who can have dozens of ongoing tasks at any moment and retain a firm grasp on all of them. While you’ll usually be helped in this with software and a team of import assistants, you’ll be expected to know exactly what is coming in and how they tally with your employer’s demands.
Language skills will often be required, particularly if the employer deals with a single country. But even if your native tongue is enough to excel, you’ll still need advanced communication skills to make sure your instructions are understood – your business relies on it.
Some employers are looking for specialists in road, rail, air or sea imports, as the logistics, speed, volumes and regulations are often specific to that mode of freight transportation. Always check the description carefully.
Import Coordinator Jobs in Bedfordshire
Bordering Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire is a ceremonial county in the East of England. Its southernmost point is around 25 miles from central London and it offers a number of opportunities for those seeking Import Coordinator roles.
The region comprises prominent towns and cities like Bedford, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard. Until the late 19th century, Bedfordshire's economy was mainly based in agriculture - particularly sheep farming, while the textile industry and lace manufacture were also important.
In the mid-1800s, as the Industrial Revolution took hold and the railways improved across the county, some heavy industry came to the area, but this was mainly brewing and the manufacture of farm instruments. On the whole, the region remained mainly agricultural.
During the 20th century, the population of towns like Bedford grew rapidly. Today, an array of well-known companies have headquarters or large facilities in Bedfordshire. These are based in a number of sectors and include Autoglass, Kingspan Off-site, Jordans Cereals and Vauxhall Motors.
London Luton Airport is located in Bedfordshire and airlines operating from this transport hub include EasyJet, Monarch Airlines and Thomson Airways.
As well as having millions of passengers pass through its gates every year, Luton Airport also processes a significant amount of cargo for companies like DHL Express, Varig Logistica and Atlantic Airlines.
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Jobs and candidates incoming at Cast UK
If you’re looking for the perfect import coordinator, we at Cast UK specialise in transport and logistics, and have fantastic talent pools with diverse skill sets in our networks & database with diverse skill sets. Why not give us a call on 0333 121 3345?
If you’re experienced in import coordination at managerial or executive level, we want to hear from you to help you make contact with businesses looking for your skills. Click the link below to register with us – your next career move could be closer than you think.
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