Import Controller

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Shipment Control: Manage clients’ shipments by liaising with shipping lines, airlines, customs, and transporters. Client Communication: Keep clients informed of their shipment status through regular updates and status reports. Timely Clearance: Ensure that shipments are cleared promptly to prevent unnecessary storage fees and demurrage while maintaining our core values (Teamwork, Trust, Innovation, Respect, Integrity and Quality) and culture.

KEY CUSTOMERS

• The Clients
• SARS / Customs
• External Suppliers
• Savino Managerial and Supervisory Staff
• Savino Employees

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

KEY JOB OUTPUTS

Client Service & Communication

• Provide excellent client service with proactive communication regarding any delays.
• Ensure timely updates and communication with clients on shipment status.

Shipping Arrangements

• Arrange shipping in accordance with client requirements and ensure timely delivery of cargo.
• Negotiate rates to secure the best possible freight rates while considering transit times and client needs.

Documentation & Data Management

• Maintain a paperless working environment with accurate and timely data entry into Shipshape
• Save mandatory milestones, full sets of documents, and relevant correspondence to the scan docs for each shipment.
• Ensure all internal communications regarding shipments are documented in Shipshape.

Shipment Tracking & Monitoring

• Track and trace shipments, relaying information to the origin office, including shipping instructions and monitoring milestones proactively.
• Ensure full pre-alert is received within 3 days of vessel sailing.

Customs Clearance

• Check and follow up on all required documentation to facilitate timely customs clearance.
• Ensure necessary documentation is on hand for release from Shipping Lines, Groupage Agents, and governing bodies.
• Ability to handle stop shipments with SAPS, Customs, NRCS etc.
• Follow up to ensure receipt of the ANF at least 5 working days before vessel arrival.

Cost Management

• Take timely action to avoid or mitigate additional costs.
• Process cargo dues and ensure timely receipt of creditor invoices.
• Verify that invoices match agreed tariffs and post them for payment where applicable.

Profit & Billing Responsibility

• Ensure job profitability by completing accurate job costing and billing per agreed client rates.
• Complete billing within agreed KPIs and ensure Shipshape status reports are provided at least three times a week or daily as per client SOP.

Problem Resolution & Compliance

• Resolve client, service provider, and internal queries professionally and timely.
• Comply with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and participate in mandatory training sessions.

Insurance & Claims

• Arrange insurance coverage when required and process any claims.

Team Collaboration

• Maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Participate in team meetings, contribute to team goals, and suggest improvements for increased efficiency.
• Contribute to your personal development plan and goals.

Miscellaneous

• Ensure all client information is kept updated in Shipshape.
• Conduct a comprehensive review and handover prior to taking leave.
• Undertake any other ad-hoc operational duties as requested by management.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Minimum Education: Grade 12 certification as a minimum qualification
• Advantageous Qualifications: SDS (Shipping and Customs Declaration) certification and/or Freight Forwarding Course or similar will be advantageous

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Clearing Environment: Minimum of 5 years of experience within a clearing & forwarding environment
• Incoterms: Sound knowledge and understanding of Incoterms
• Ocean Import Tariffs: Familiarity with ocean import tariffs, practices, and processes
• Airfreight Import Tariffs: Familiarity with Airfreight import tariffs, practices, and processes
• Must be able to arrange forwarding on air and sea freight shipment, Cross trade shipments included
• Customs and Third-Party Procedures: Knowledge of customs and other third-party governing/statutory body clearance procedures.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Customer Service Orientation: Ability to manage a demanding customer environment effectively.
• Communication Skills: Proficient in both verbal and written English; confident communicator capable of interacting with staff at all levels.
• Attention to Detail: Strong accuracy and meticulousness in work, with a high attention to detail.
• Numeracy Skills: Basic understanding of accounting processes, including debits and credits; familiarity with international currencies and currency codes.
• Computer Proficiency: Computer literate with strong skills in Microsoft Office; at least intermediate proficiency in Excel.
• Pressure Management: Ability to work under pressure while meeting tight deadlines.
• Adaptability: Willingness to adapt to a constantly changing environment; able to manage large volumes of work.
• Teamwork and Independence: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Task Management: Skilled in multitasking and prioritizing tasks to meet critical timelines.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaborative work relationships.
• Problem Solving: Competent in decision-making and problem-solving in dynamic situations.
• Availability: Willingness to work additional hours when necessary.
• Advantage, Cross trade, Handover to Agents, Break-Bulk, Vehicles

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES/BEHAVIOURS/ATTITUDES

The following primary attributes are required for effective job performance:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• People skills
• Self motivated
• Team and project orientated
• Query resolution skills
• Disciplined.
• Control process outcomes
• Innovative and creative
• Strong organisational skills
• Advanced liaison and coordinating skills
• Perform under pressure
• Increase Service levels

All applicants for this position must understand and adhere to Savino’s core values.

• Teamwork: Work together to achieve our common goals, ensuring our competitive edge and developing better solutions; Principles: Utilize our collective experience and the power of teams.
• Trust: An unwavering confidence in each other and our Abilities to do the right thing; Principles: Delegate authority to the appropriate level. Retain accountability for delegated work. Meet the expectations of your role. Honor agreements.
• Innovation: Striving for a better way and leading the market into technology and customer service; Principles: Learn from mistakes. Regard all ideas as good ideas. Look beyond the horizon. Encourage learning and acceptance of challenges.
• Respect: Appreciate and consider each other and our differences. Confidentiality of our Clients; Principles: Talk with people rather than about them. Seek and listen to the views of others. The client’s interests come first.
• Integrity: Committed to be open and honest in all our dealings internally and externally. We pride ourselves on always doing what is right. Principles: Ensure constructive and open communication and conversation. Ensure visibility of decision-making processes. Honor your promises and agreements.
• Quality: Maintaining world-class standards in all our work, no matter how big or small the job. Principles: Quality Engagement, Quality Leadership, Quality Process, Improvement, Evidence-based decision making, Relationship Management and Quality Branding.

#J-18808-Ljbffr