Global Shipping Manager – Import & Compliance

TRP Recruitment Limited; Watford; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

TRP Recruitment Limited in Watford is seeking an experienced Shipping Manager to own our busy international import operation. You will run day-to-day shipping, manage the team, and ensure timely bookings, documentation and customs compliance.

You will coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders and 3PLs, drive process improvements, monitor KPIs and report risks and performance to the Group Shipping Manager.

Qualifications

• Experience in international shipping/import operations with FCL, LCL and Air Freight.
• Good knowledge of commercial invoices, packing lists, Bills of Lading and Air Waybills.
• Experience supervising a shipping team and coordinating with suppliers, freight forwarders, brokers and 3PLs.
• Proficient with ERP systems and shipment trackers; handling large data and Excel.
• Strong Excel skills (XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, IF/IFERROR, SUMIFS, PivotTables) and KPI dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day shipping operations including bookings, ETD/ETA, documents, ASN, customs clearance, deliveries and GRNs.
• Lead the Shipping team with workload planning, priorities and holiday/absence cover.
• Monitor outstanding actions, overdue shipments and risks; manage delays and documentation issues.
• Ensure documents match PO/invoice/ERP and support customs requirements including HS codes and origin.
• Collaborate with suppliers, freight forwarders, customs brokers and 3PLs; challenge service providers on cost/timelines.
• Review freight quotations, charges and invoice differences; prepare daily/weekly updates and KPI reports.
• Drive improvements to processes, systems and reporting; escalate significant risks to Group Shipping Manager.

Skills

International shipping

FCL LCL Air freight

Incoterms knowledge

HS codes and origin

Team supervision

ERP experience

Excel advanced

KPI reporting

Stakeholder communication

Tools

ERP system

Shipment trackers

Power BI / dashboards

Job description

TRP Recruitment Limited in Watford is seeking an experienced Shipping Manager to own our busy international import operation. You will run day-to-day shipping, manage the team, and ensure timely bookings, documentation and customs compliance.

You will coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders and 3PLs, drive process improvements, monitor KPIs and report risks and performance to the Group Shipping Manager.