Freight Operations and Customs Manager

takealot.com; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 600 000 - 800 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading South African online retailer is seeking a Freight Operations and Customs Manager in Cape Town. The role involves managing freight-forwarding, customs compliance, and operational activities to ensure efficient goods flow. Candidates should have strong negotiation and leadership skills, along with a solid background in logistics and customs operations.

Qualifications

• Manage freight-forwarding and customs compliance.
• Experience in international environments with multi-modal transport.

Responsibilities

• Supervise end-to-end freight-forwarding operations.
• Ensure compliance with customs regulations.
• Optimize operational processes for timely delivery.

Skills

Communication

Negotiation

Analytical

Leadership

Time Management

Education

5 - 7 years’ experience in freight forwarding

Strong knowledge of import/export regulations

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

takealot.com, a leading South African online retailer, is looking for a highly talentedFreight Operations and Customs Managerto join ourteam inCape Town.

We are a young, dynamic, hyper growth company looking for smart, creative, hardworking people with integrity to join us. We offer a market related, Total Remuneration Package which allows full flexibility according to your needs, a great work environment and a promise that you won’t be bored as long as you are prepared for a challenge and want to build something great.

This position reports to : Head of Takealot Freight Forwarding.

Purpose of this position:

To manage and oversee all freight-forwarding, customsclearance, and operational activities to ensure the smooth flowof goods and efficient management of customs compliance forinternational and domestic shipments. This role focuses ondelivering exceptional service to clients while ensuringregulatory compliance, cost optimization, and operationalefficiency, with a strategic outlook towards ensuring sustainableand cost-effective business growth and expansion.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supervise end-to-end freight-forwarding operations,including planning, booking, and managing shipmentsvia air, sea, and land.
• Coordinate with carriers, shipping lines, and transport providers to ensure timely transportation of goods.
• Optimize operational processes to improve on-time delivery and minimize delays.
• Ensure all customs clearance procedures are completedaccurately and in compliance with international and localtrade regulations.
• Remain updated on customs regulations, tariff classifications, and trade policies to provide clients with expert advice.
• Manage permits, licenses, and certifications related toimport/export activities.
• Act as the main point of contact for clients to addressinquiries, provide updates, and resolve shipment orclearance issues.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers,and customs authorities.
• Implement and maintain freight and customs software(CargoWise) systems for efficient documentation,shipment processing and tracking.
• Oversee the preparation and review of shippingdocumentation, including bills of lading, invoices, andcustoms declarations.
• Handle disruptions, including re-routing shipments orresolving customs delays efficiently and appropriately.
• Ensure adherence to global trade laws to mitigate risksof penalties or delays.
• Prepare regular operational performance and financialreports for management.
• Analyse data to identify trends, improve operations, and enhance efficiency.
• Local and International travel as required.

Skills Required :

• Experience presenting to senior managers.
• Proven track record of delivering results.
• Competence in Excel (Google Sheets) & PowerPoint(Google Slides)
• Ability to go beyond what is expected.
• Commercially minded, strong negotiator
• Data-driven and analytical
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to develop senior level relationships effectively.
• Strong prioritization and time management skills
• Comfortable with change and excellent collaborator
• Ability to manage multiple opportunities simultaneously

Qualification & Experience:

• 5 - 7 years’ experience in freight forwarding, logistics, or customs operations (management experience preferred)
• Proven experience working in an internationalenvironment with multi-modal transport
• Strong knowledge of import/export regulations andINCOTERMS
• Proficiency in freight-forwarding and customs clearancesystems/software
• Exceptional negotiation, leadership, and interpersonalskills
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with a results-driven mindset
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment

The Environment :

• takealot.com employees are entrepreneurial and dynamic, smart, customer- centric, fun and have the shared ambition of takealot.com being the leading e- commerce company in Africa.
• We have fun, work hard, take ownership, work in teams to create solutions, and are always open to direct feedback/new ideas on where we can improve.
• We are short on ego and high on output.
• We are doers and not only thinkers, its all in the execution after all.
• We love what we do and what we are creating .
• We seek to employ an Extra Ordinary Mind who is Smart, has Integrity, and is Hardworking.

If you meet the above you are an Extraordinary Mind so come and join us!

Takealot Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants from the previously disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities, to apply .

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