Import Controller

Savino Del Bene; Durban; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Job summary

Savino Del Bene in Durban seeks a Shipment Controller to manage clients' shipments, liaise with shipping lines, customs, and transporters, and keep clients informed with proactive status updates. You will coordinate shipping in line with client requirements, negotiate rates, and ensure prompt customs clearance.

This role requires strong communication, attention to detail, and teamwork. You will maintain data in Shipshape and contribute to cost management and timely invoicing while supporting

Qualifications

• Minimum education is Grade 12.
• SDS (Shipping and Customs Declaration) certification and/or Freight Forwarding course are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Provide excellent client service with proactive communication on delays.
• Ensure timely updates on shipment status to clients.
• Arrange shipping per client requirements and secure timely cargo delivery.
• Negotiate rates to optimize freight costs and transit times.
• Maintain paperless records and data entry in Shipshape.
• Document and file all shipment communications and milestones.
• Track shipments and provide proactive updates to the origin office.
• Facilitate timely customs clearance with required documentation.
• Process cargo dues and verify invoices against tariffs.
• Complete accurate job costing and billing per rates.
• Resolve queries professionally and adhere to SOPs.
• Arrange insurance when needed and process claims.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders as a team.

Skills

Customer Service

Communication

Attention to Detail

Numeracy

Excel

Pressure Management

Adaptability

Teamwork

Task Management

Interpersonal Skills

Problem Solving

Availability

Cross Trade Knowledge

Education

Grade 12

SDS Certification

Tools

Shipshape

Job description

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

Shipment Control: Manage clients’ shipments by liaising with shipping lines, airlines, customs, and transporters. Client Communication: Keep clients informed of their shipment status through regular updates and status reports. Timely Clearance: Ensure that shipments are cleared promptly to prevent unnecessary storage fees and demurrage while maintaining our core values (Teamwork, Trust, Innovation, Respect, Integrity and Quality) and culture.

KEY CUSTOMERS

• The Clients
• SARS / Customs
• External Suppliers
• Savino Managerial and Supervisory Staff
• Savino Employees

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

KEY JOB OUTPUTS

Client Service & Communication

• Provide excellent client service with proactive communication regarding any delays.
• Ensure timely updates and communication with clients on shipment status.

Shipping Arrangements

• Arrange shipping in accordance with client requirements and ensure timely delivery of cargo.
• Negotiate rates to secure the best possible freight rates while considering transit times and client needs.

Documentation & Data Management

• Maintain a paperless working environment with accurate and timely data entry into Shipshape
• Save mandatory milestones, full sets of documents, and relevant correspondence to the scan docs for each shipment.
• Ensure all internal communications regarding shipments are documented in Shipshape.

Shipment Tracking & Monitoring

• Track and trace shipments, relaying information to the origin office, including shipping instructions and monitoring milestones proactively.
• Ensure full pre-alert is received within 3 days of vessel sailing.

Customs Clearance

• Check and follow up on all required documentation to facilitate timely customs clearance.
• Ensure necessary documentation is on hand for release from Shipping Lines, Groupage Agents, and governing bodies.
• Ability to handle stop shipments with SAPS, Customs, NRCS etc.
• Follow up to ensure receipt of the ANF at least 5 working days before vessel arrival.

Cost Management

• Take timely action to avoid or mitigate additional costs.
• Process cargo dues and ensure timely receipt of creditor invoices.
• Verify that invoices match agreed tariffs and post them for payment where applicable.

Profit & Billing Responsibility

• Ensure job profitability by completing accurate job costing and billing per agreed client rates.
• Complete billing within agreed KPIs and ensure Shipshape status reports are provided at least three times a week or daily as per client SOP.

Problem Resolution & Compliance

• Resolve client, service provider, and internal queries professionally and timely.
• Comply with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and participate in mandatory training sessions.

Insurance & Claims

• Arrange insurance coverage when required and process any claims.

Team Collaboration

• Maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders, both internal and external.
• Participate in team meetings, contribute to team goals, and suggest improvements for increased efficiency.
• Contribute to your personal development plan and goals.

Miscellaneous

• Ensure all client information is kept updated in Shipshape.
• Conduct a comprehensive review and handover prior to taking leave.
• Undertake any other ad-hoc operational duties as requested by management.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Minimum Education: Grade 12 certification as a minimum qualification
• Advantageous Qualifications: SDS (Shipping and Customs Declaration) certification and/or Freight Forwarding Course or similar will be advantageous

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Clearing Environment: Minimum of 5 years of experience within a clearing & forwarding environment
• Incoterms: Sound knowledge and understanding of Incoterms
• Ocean Import Tariffs: Familiarity with ocean import tariffs, practices, and processes
• Airfreight Import Tariffs: Familiarity with Airfreight import tariffs, practices, and processes
• Must be able to arrange forwarding on air and sea freight shipment, Cross trade shipments included
• Customs and Third-Party Procedures: Knowledge of customs and other third-party governing/statutory body clearance procedures.

SKILLS REQUIRED

• Customer Service Orientation: Ability to manage a demanding customer environment effectively.
• Communication Skills: Proficient in both verbal and written English; confident communicator capable of interacting with staff at all levels.
• Attention to Detail: Strong accuracy and meticulousness in work, with a high attention to detail.
• Numeracy Skills: Basic understanding of accounting processes, including debits and credits; familiarity with international currencies and currency codes.
• Computer Proficiency: Computer literate with strong skills in Microsoft Office; at least intermediate proficiency in Excel.
• Pressure Management: Ability to work under pressure while meeting tight deadlines.
• Adaptability: Willingness to adapt to a constantly changing environment; able to manage large volumes of work.
• Teamwork and Independence: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Task Management: Skilled in multitasking and prioritizing tasks to meet critical timelines.
• Interpersonal Skills: Strong interpersonal skills to foster collaborative work relationships.
• Problem Solving: Competent in decision-making and problem-solving in dynamic situations.
• Availability: Willingness to work additional hours when necessary.
• Advantage, Cross trade, Handover to Agents, Break-Bulk, Vehicles

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES/BEHAVIOURS/ATTITUDES

The following primary attributes are required for effective job performance:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• People skills
• Self motivated
• Team and project orientated
• Query resolution skills
• Disciplined.
• Control process outcomes
• Innovative and creative
• Strong organisational skills
• Advanced liaison and coordinating skills
• Perform under pressure
• Increase Service levels

All applicants for this position must understand and adhere to Savino’s core values.

• Teamwork: Work together to achieve our common goals, ensuring our competitive edge and developing better solutions; Principles: Utilize our collective experience and the power of teams.
• Trust: An unwavering confidence in each other and our Abilities to do the right thing; Principles: Delegate authority to the appropriate level. Retain accountability for delegated work. Meet the expectations of your role. Honor agreements.
• Innovation: Striving for a better way and leading the market into technology and customer service; Principles: Learn from mistakes. Regard all ideas as good ideas. Look beyond the horizon. Encourage learning and acceptance of challenges.
• Respect: Appreciate and consider each other and our differences. Confidentiality of our Clients; Principles: Talk with people rather than about them. Seek and listen to the views of others. The client’s interests come first.
• Integrity: Committed to be open and honest in all our dealings internally and externally. We pride ourselves on always doing what is right. Principles: Ensure constructive and open communication and conversation. Ensure visibility of decision-making processes. Honor your promises and agreements.
• Quality: Maintaining world-class standards in all our work, no matter how big or small the job. Principles: Quality Engagement, Quality Leadership, Quality Process, Improvement, Evidence-based decision making, Relationship Management and Quality Branding.