Shipping Coordinator jobs
Import and export can be hugely profitable but they are fraught with legal and logistical mazes that will need to be negotiated if profit is to be maximised. The shipping coordinator will be in charge of making sure all orders are handled, sent and invoiced for and that payments have been received in accordance with the law and company policy.
The shipping coordinator will also be involved with negotiating rates with carriers and constantly pushing for deals that satisfy the budget and customer satisfaction criteria. This will all feed into the overall company profitability and is therefore a key requirement.
Perhaps most important of all, however, is keeping updated with the legal aspects of the job. There are numerous laws surrounding importing and exporting goods, mainly inspired by revenue generation and security considerations, bit of which have undergone a decade of non-stop change, and show no sign of settling in the near future.
Observing the legal requirements and maintaining healthy profitability will be a balancing act that the skilled shipping coordinator will be able to take in his or her stride.
The skills required
An in-depth knowledge of import and export law will be a uppermost in the skill set for this role. Oversights can be costly in terms of impounded goods, fines or even criminal proceedings against the company or individuals. However, being able to profitably coordinate the shipping operation of a busy logistics company while maintaining legality will be a close second. Shipping coordinators lacking in one or the other will suffer.
There will also be a good deal of negotiating with clients and suppliers and dealing with a team of employees. This high-pressure job will suit anyone who can deal with the technical and business critical issues whilst keeping the staff motivated and contented.
Shipping Coordinator Jobs in Lowestoft
On the north-eastern tip of Suffolk, 7 miles (11 km) south of Great Yarmouth and 21 miles (33 km) south east of Norwich, is the port town of Lowestoft. The town has a long history as a fishing and freight port town, and some of the earliest evidence of settlement in the UK has been found here. Unfortunately, the town's location and its harbouring of vessels and materials for the war efforts meant that it was bombed and shelled during both world wars, as was the case with many towns on the east coast.
Lowestoft got its railway link in the 19th century and this helped the town to boom as its trawlers' catches could be taken away to the cities quickly. The railway also stimulated other industry to set up there, as it made imports and exports simple by land and sea. Until the 1990s there were several multinational companies in the town, but they have largely gone now, and tourism plays a vital role – Lowestoft does have very attractive sandy beaches. Another well known industry was Lowestoft porcelain, which was among the finest in the world in its day.
It is not uncommon for Shipping Coordinator jobs to become available in Lowestoft and the surrounding area as the docks are still active, even if they are not at the same level as they were fifty years ago. There is still a major Birds Eye factory in the town, and the headquarters of Hoseasons Holidays is located there. Much employment comes from the oil and gas industries, too, and recently Lowestoft has become a key site for the manufacture of renewable energy equipment, from solar panels to offshore wind turbines. There is a population of around 65,000 and several ,moderately populated towns along the coast, which can all add up to a reasonably active logistics and supply chain sector.
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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
Candidates approach Cast UK seeking work for many reasons, from looking for more job fulfilment to moving house. Our founder members and our consultants come from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, so we understand the needs of employers and candidates alike. As we only deal with these fields, many employers in the sector come to us first to create a candidate shortlist, so it’s certainly a good idea to register with us if you’re in the logistics sector.
We always have positions from the whole of the UK, so please see what’s available in your region and please do get in touch if you’ve seen something you’re interested in – we might just have the perfect job for you!
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Shipping Coordinator for your business or find you a job as a Shipping Coordinator then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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