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 Widnes
At the north-eastern edge of Cheshire lies Widnes, a town of around 60,000 population built on heavy industry, particularly chemicals, where ICI had a huge presence for decades before fragmenting in the 1990s. The chemical industry chose Widnes partly for the plentiful supply of water, just like Runcorn, to which it is joined by a railway and road bridge over the Mersey.
The centre of Liverpool is 11 miles (17 km) to the west, with Liverpool John Lennon Airport just 4 miles (7km) form the centre of Widnes. Although not actually in Widnes, the Jaguar Land rover car production plant is just outside the town in Halewood, and it has been a large employer of people from Widnes. For decades the plant was owned by Ford, and the locals still cal the main boulevard that passes it “The Ford Road”. Under the new management, the factory is doing extremely well, helped by a local enthusiastic workforce.
Widnes has two musical claims to fame, one certain, one apocryphal. First was the Stone Roses’ Spike Island gig, the pinnacle of the Madchester scene in 1990. The second claim is that Paul Simon wrote “Homeward Bound” at Widnes Station, although Simon isn’t 100% sure himself!
Widnes has retained many of its industrial plants, although they are no longer owned by the giant ICI, and have been taken over by a multitude of companies. The well-connected town is handy for Liverpool, Warrington, St Helens and Runcorn, and has the M62 at its northern point. All this makes it a good place to locate any logistics operations, and indeed, Shipping Manager jobs or similar positions have been through our system in Widnes.
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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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