Senior Export Coordinator

OpenWorks Engineering Ltd; Prudhoe; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

OpenWorks Engineering Ltd is seeking an experienced export specialist to manage international shipments and export licensing in a highly regulated defence-focused environment. The role involves ensuring regulatory compliance across the end-to-end logistics chain and collaborating with the Head of Contracts and Compliance.

You will handle export documentation, licensing references and licence management while coordinating with freight forwarders, customs brokers and internal teams to ensure safe,

Qualifications

• Export and shipping experience coordinating international shipments in defence-related supply chains.
• Strong understanding of UK export control regulations and licensing requirements.
• Trade compliance expertise including UK Trade Tariff classifications and Incoterms.
• Experience with export licensing systems and maintaining compliance records.

Responsibilities

• Prepare accurate shipping and export documentation (invoices, packing lists, end-user statements, licence references).
• Coordinate day-to-day inbound and outbound shipments, domestic and international.
• Arrange transport with freight forwarders, couriers, customs brokers and logistics partners.
• Support export control activities ensuring correct classification and licensing compliance.
• Manage customs declarations, commodity code verification and trade documentation.
• Prepare and administer ATA Carnets for temporary movements.
• Ensure dangerous goods shipments meet packaging, labelling and documentation requirements.
• Maintain audit-ready records and support continuous improvements in logistics and compliance processes.

Skills

Export docs

Logistics coordination

Export licensing

Compliance

Tools

SPIRE

Job description

Overview

We are looking for an experienced export specialist who combines strong logistics expertise with a deep understanding of export controls, gaining export licences and international trade compliance. This is a pivotal role supporting the global movement of advanced defence technology, ensuring products reach customers worldwide safely, efficiently and in full regulatory compliance. Working with the Head of Contracts and Compliance, you will manage international shipments, support export licensing activities and maintain high standards of compliance in a highly regulated industry. This role suits someone with proven export and shipping experience in a commercial environment where you have obtained export licences for the defence industry, contributing to operational success and seeing the impact of your work daily.

Responsibilities

• Export documentation: Prepare accurate shipping and export documentation including commercial invoices, packing lists, end-user statements and licence references for dual use and dangerous goods.
• Shipment coordination: Manage day-to-day inbound and outbound shipments across the business including domestic and international movements.
• International logistics management: Arrange transport with freight forwarders, couriers, customs brokers and other logistics partners to ensure timely delivery worldwide.
• Export control compliance: Support export control activities ensuring goods are correctly classified under Military List and Dual-Use regulations and shipped in accordance with licensing requirements.
• Import and customs administration: Manage import and export activities including customs declarations, commodity code verification and trade documentation.
• ATA Carnets and temporary movements: Prepare and administer ATA Carnets while coordinating temporary imports and exports.
• Dangerous goods coordination: Ensure dangerous goods shipments meet all packaging, labelling and documentation requirements.
• Continuous improvement and compliance: Maintain audit-ready records while supporting improvements across logistics, export control and trade compliance processes.

Qualifications

• Export and shipping experience: Proven experience coordinating international shipments and managing import and export activities in a commercial environment, supplying into the defence industry.
• Export control knowledge: Strong understanding of UK export control regulations including Military List, Dual-Use and licensing requirements.
• Trade compliance expertise: Experience working with customs procedures, commodity codes, UK Trade Tariff classifications and Incoterms.
• Export licensing experience: Familiarity with export licensing systems such as SPIRE and maintaining compliance records.
• Organisation and attention to detail: Able to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional accuracy.
• Stakeholder management: Confident working with internal teams, freight forwarders, customs brokers and external partners.
• Adaptability: Comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment where priorities can change quickly.

Desirable

• International regulations knowledge: Understanding of ITAR, EAR and AUKUS export control frameworks.
• ATA Carnet experience: Experience coordinating temporary imports and exports.
• Dangerous goods certification: Dangerous Goods certification or recognised hazardous goods training.
• Industry background: Experience within defence, engineering, manufacturing or other highly regulated sectors.
• Professional export training: Training through the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) or a similar recognised body.