Sea Logistics Reefer Customer Care Specialist

Kühne + Nagel (AG & Co.) KG; Ashford; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Kühne + Nagel (AG & Co.) KG in the UK is seeking an experienced Sea Logistics professional to own day-to-day coordination of sea freight shipments entering the UK. You will work with customers, hauliers, shipping lines, overseas agents and UK authorities to deliver reliable, high-quality service.

This 16-month fixed-term role emphasizes leadership of the team, handling customs clearance, CHED applications, and ensuring timely updates on ship arrivals and deliveries.

Qualifications

• Experience in customs clearance of sea freight shipments into the UK.
• Experience with Port and Plant Health, Port Authorities and UK Border Force.
• Experience processing CHED-D, CHED-P, CHED-PP and organic applications.
• Experience in Sea Logistics or freight forwarding.
• Excellent English communication, written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Act as the first point of contact for customers, hauliers and overseas agents, coordinating daily operational activities.
• Manage customs clearance for sea freight shipments entering the UK through various ports.
• Provide customers with accurate and timely updates on shipment arrivals and merchant haulage deliveries.
• Liaise with Port and Plant Health, Port Authorities and UK Border Force to resolve clearance issues.
• Process CHED-D, CHED-P, CHED-PP and organic applications accurately and efficiently.
• Coordinate with shipping lines regarding DROs and other operational enquiries.
• Manage customer invoicing following delivery and liaise with the Accounts team regarding shipping line pre-payments.
• Lead and support the team to ensure excellent customer service and prompt responses to customer and service provider queries.

Skills

Customs clearance

Customer service

English communication

Port Health coordination

Team leadership

Microsoft Office

Systems skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Shipping systems

Job description

Are you an experienced Sea Logistics professional with strong UK customs clearance and Port Health expertise? We are looking for someone to join us on a 16-month fixed-term contract in this specialist role, where you will take ownership of the day-to-day coordination of sea freight shipments into the UK. Working closely with customers, hauliers, shipping lines, overseas agents and UK authorities, you will play a key role in ensuring smooth operations while leading the team in delivering a reliable, responsive and high-quality service to our customers.

How you create impact

• Act as the first point of contact for customers, hauliers and overseas agents, coordinating daily operational activities.
• Manage customs clearance for sea freight shipments entering the UK through various ports.
• Provide customers with accurate and timely updates on shipment arrivals and merchant haulage deliveries.
• Liaise with Port and Plant Health, Port Authorities and UK Border Force to resolve clearance issues.
• Process CHED-D, CHED-P, CHED-PP and organic applications accurately and efficiently.
• Coordinate with shipping lines regarding DROs and other operational enquiries.
• Manage customer invoicing following delivery and liaise with the Accounts team regarding shipping line pre-payments.
• Lead and support the team to ensure excellent customer service and prompt responses to customer and service provider queries.

What we would like you to bring

• Proven experience in customs clearance of sea freight shipments entering the UK through various ports is essential.
• Hands-on experience working with Port and Plant Health, Port Authorities and UK Border Force on clearance matters is essential.
• Practical experience processing CHED-D, CHED-P, CHED-PP and organic applications is essential.
• Previous experience within Sea Logistics, freight forwarding or a closely related operational environment.
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to communicate confidently with customers, authorities and service providers.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, manage multiple priorities and maintain a high level of accuracy.
• Good Microsoft Office and systems skills, combined with flexibility around working hours during busy periods and availability for occasional after-hours calls.

What's in it for you

This is an opportunity to take on a specialist role where your Sea Logistics and customs expertise will have a direct impact on our customers and daily operations. You will work with a broad range of stakeholders across the international supply chain while developing your knowledge within a complex operational environment. You will also have the opportunity to take on team leadership responsibilities and contribute to delivering an excellent customer experience.