Freight Controller (Sea, Road and Inland)

HR Matters; Durban; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

HR Matters in Durban is seeking a logistics professional to coordinate multimodal movements, manage container bookings, and liaise with collection points, warehouses, and delivery destinations. The role emphasizes accuracy in ETAs, invoicing reconciliation, and compliance with Incoterms 2020.

You will work closely with drivers and freight owners, ensure smooth port movements, and look for opportunities to cross-sell inland or sea routes to existing clients.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of dedicated experience in road freight (inland and cross-border) and sea freight forwarding.
• Hands-on proficiency in the Transnet Navis system (N4/Web portals) and cargo management software such as CargoWise or ShipShape.
• Strong phone and written communication skills, plus numerical accuracy for reconciling documents.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute sea and road cargo movements, including port imports/exports and inland networks.
• Execute container bookings, submit Pre-Advises, monitor stack openings, and secure truck slots in Navis.
• Act as the central liaison between collection points, warehouses, and final delivery destinations; communicate ETAs.
• Coordinate with drivers and freight owner companies to monitor transit progress and address delays.
• Reconcile transport invoices against POs and PODs to ensure billing accuracy.
• Process bills of lading, permits, customs documentation, and delivery notes per Incoterms 2020.
• Identify revenue opportunities and assist in cross-selling inland or sea routes to clients.

Skills

Communication

Numerical aptitude

Client management

Education

Diploma or Certificate in Logistics

Road Transport knowledge

Tools

Transnet Navis system (N4/Web portals)

CargoWise

ShipShape

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Multimodal & Inland Coordination: Plan and execute sea and road cargo movements, managing port imports/exports alongside domestic point-to-point inland transport networks (not destined for the port). Transnet Navis Management: Execute container bookings, submit Pre-Advises, monitor stack openings, and secure truck slots directly in the Transnet Navis system. Collection & Delivery Liaison: Act as the central communication hub between collection points, warehouses, and final delivery destinations. Proactively calculate and communicate accurate Estimated Times of Arrival (ETAs) to all stakeholders. Driver & Transporter Communication: Maintain continuous, clear communication with truck drivers and freight owner companies to monitor transit progress, address breakdowns, and mitigate delays. Financial Reconciliation: Perform rigorous administrative close-outs by cross-referencing and reconciling transport invoices against original Purchase Orders (POs) and Proofs of Delivery (PODs) to eliminate billing discrepancies. Documentation & Compliance: Process bills of lading, road transport permits, customs documentation, and delivery notes while ensuring strict adherence to Incoterms 2020. Cost & Demurrage Control: Monitor container free days via Navis and track inland turnaround times to actively minimize port storage, shipping line demurrage, and vehicle standing hours. Commercial Growth: Identify revenue opportunities within existing accounts by cross-selling additional inland or sea routes, and gradually assist in pitching our logistics capabilities to new corporate clients.

Key Requirements

Experience: 3 to 5 years of dedicated experience in road freight (inland and cross-border) and sea freight forwarding. System Proficiency: Demonstrated, hands-on proficiency in the Transnet Navis system (N4/Web portals) and cargo management software (e.g., CargoWise, ShipShape). Core Competencies: Exceptional phone and written communication skills for driver and client management. Strong numerical aptitude for financial document reconciliation (POs, PODs, invoices). Education: Diploma or Certificate in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or Road Transport.