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 Hertfordshire
Sharing a border with Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Essex, as well as Greater London, Hertfordshire is one of the Home Counties.
It is a popular location for commuters to the capital, with mainline rail services to Euston Station and the Metropolitan line. It also offers a wealth of choice for those seeking Import Coordinator vacancies.
During its long history, Hertfordshire was home to the Romans and Normans; in the Industrial Revolution the region benefited significantly from its proximity to London and its population increased dramatically.
Settlements within Hertfordshire include Hertford, Hitchin, Hemel Hempstead, Watford, and Letchworth, which became the world's first garden city in 1903. What's more, Stevenage was the first to redevelop as part of the New Towns Act 1946.
Since the 1920s, Hertfordshire has played an important part in the British Film Industry, with a number of studios in Elstree. Television programmes such as Big Brother UK and EastEnders are filmed there, while Leavesden Studios has been responsible for the filming of blockbuster franchises like Harry Potter and James Bond.
In addition, a variety of well known companies have headquarters or large facilities in Hertfordshire in industries ranging from retail to pharmaceuticals and hospitality to aerospace. These include Tesco, GlaxoSmithKline, JD Wetherspoon, BAE Systems, T-Mobile, Ocado, Camelot, TK Maxx, Costco and Balfour Beatty.
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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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