Shipping Manager jobs
With goods being transported all over the world, it is important to stay on top of a shipping operation, particularly with regard to the legal paperwork and invoicing. This will be the job of a shipping manager. He or she will see through to delivery and will be entrusted with making sure all such paperwork is in order and flagging up any potential problems.
The shipping manager will oversee a team, probably made up of staff with expertise in dealing with a range of jurisdictions, especially when the company exports and imports widely. The specific understanding of a handful of nations’ customs law is enough to occupy a small team, let alone dozens of countries’. Reporting to the senior management, the shipping manager will have to deal with the day to day running of the department but also implement new strategies as they arise.
The role will also require a good deal of budget management, and part of the job will be to maintain efficiency and introduce new measures to improve efficiency. With fuel costs skyrocketing, this is more important than ever.
The skills required
A good knowledge of international import and export law will be an advantage, whether general or focused on the specific jurisdictions the company deals with. The shipping manager might well have to oversee or build a team around him or her to ensure that all legal bases are covered.
Successful shipping managers often come from backgrounds involved with international shipping rather than general managership, as the skill set required is focused on the technical side rather than the personnel management, important though this is. Likewise, a history of deep involvement with the products being distributed could help more than experience of management, as different products are regulated by different departments and require specific paperwork to stay on the right side of the law.
Shipping Manager Jobs in Belfast
As Northern Ireland's capital and largest city, Belfast offers a number of opportunities for those seeking Shipping Manager positions.
The region was first settled during the Bronze Age and had become a thriving community by the 17th century.
During the Industrial Revolution, Belfast was known for producing a broad range of goods, including linen, rope and tobacco.
Meanwhile, its proximity to two large bodies of water - Belfast Lough and the River Lagan - made the city an ideal location for shipbuilding.
Over a period of 150 years, Harland and Wolff - once one of the city's most famous shipbuilders and currently fabricating equipment for the marine, offshore and renewable energy sectors - constructed numerous vessels. These included luxury liners like the Titanic, Olympic and Britannic, as well as the HMS Belfast, a Royal Navy light cruiser that is now permanently moored on the River Thames in central London.
Following the First World War, Belfast's economy began to slowly decline and by the 1960s and 1970s, the city's situation gradually deteriorated as civil unrest of the period known as The Troubles created a fragile financial situation and a community riddled with violence.
However, since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, Belfast has once again emerged as a city with a viable economy and there has been rapid redevelopment.
These days, Belfast is a centre for education and commerce and companies based here include Allstate NI, Moy Park, Bombardier Aerospace and Translink - Northern Ireland's main provider of public transport.
Popular locations
Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
As our founders come from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, and our consultants also come from the same fields, Cast UK understand the needs of employers and candidates alike. As we only deal with these connected fields, we have become a go-to recruitment consultancy form many employers, many of whom trust us to create a shortlist through our in-house personnel management.
Candidates approach us looking for work for a range of reasons, from seeking fulfilment to moving house to looking for a promotion. The positions we offer cover the whole of the UK, so please check out what’s available in your region and feel free to get in touch if you’ve seen something you’re interested in – we might just have the perfect job on offer.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Shipping Manager for your business or find you a job as a Shipping Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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