Shipping Controller

Innovazi Consulting (Pty) Ltd; KwaZulu-Natal; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

Innovazi Consulting (Pty) Ltd in Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal is seeking an experienced Shipping Controller to coordinate international shipments and manage import documentation. The role requires strong organisational skills and attention to detail to liaise with suppliers, freight forwarders and internal teams.

You will verify invoices, track shipments, maintain fabric and trims stock records, and support claims and stock reconciliation within a clothing manufacturing setting.

Qualifications

• Previous shipping, import coordination or stock control experience.
• Experience with international suppliers and freight forwarders.
• Knowledge of import documentation and customs clearance procedures.
• Experience with invoice verification and supplier claims.
• Strong numerical, administrative and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in computerised stock management systems.
• Experience in clothing, textile or fabric manufacturing is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate international shipments, bookings and air freight;
• Verify invoices, packing lists and bills of lading.
• Track ETDs/ETAs and liaise with suppliers and forwarders.
• Maintain fabric and trims stock records and stock cards.
• Reconcile stock against system reports and supplier invoices.
• Assist with claims related to fabric shortages and discrepancies.
• Ensure shipping docs and statuses are updated in systems.

Skills

Shipping coordination

Import documentation

Inventory & stock control

Supplier liaison

Attention to detail

Tools

Sync

Navis

Shipping tracking platforms

Job description

Location: Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal
Industry: Clothing Manufacturing

Job Description

Our client, a clothing manufacturing company based in Pinetown, is seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Shipping Controller to join their team. The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating international shipments, managing import documentation, tracking freight, verifying invoices, handling supplier claims and maintaining accurate fabric and trims stock records. The role requires strong organisational skills, numerical accuracy and the ability to liaise effectively with suppliers, freight forwarders and internal departments.

Key Responsibilities

Shipping and Logistics

• Coordinate and monitor international shipments, container bookings and air freight deliveries.
• Verify commercial invoices, packing lists, detailed packing lists and bills of lading.
• Track vessel movements and monitor estimated times of departure (ETDs) and arrival (ETAs).
• Liaise with overseas suppliers and freight forwarders regarding shipping schedules, bookings and documentation.
• Monitor outstanding purchase orders and follow up on delayed shipments.
• Communicate shipment delays, fabric shortages, overshipments and discrepancies to the Merchandising and Production teams.
• Ensure shipping documentation and shipment statuses are accurately updated on the relevant systems.
• Coordinate telex releases, shipping letters and supplier payment documentation.

Import Documentation and Customs

• Verify air freight documentation, including SAD 500 documents, customs worksheets, EDI notices and airway bills.
• Ensure that shipment quantities, tariff codes, company details and customs reference numbers are accurate.
• Assist with customs clearance documentation and respond to SARS queries and customs stop notices.
• Verify freight and courier invoices to ensure charges and tariff codes are correct.

Invoice Verification and Claims Management

• Reconcile incoming fabric against goods received, supplier invoices and shipping documentation.
• Verify fabric roll numbers, meter quantities, commercial invoice values and landed costs.
• Ensure invoice values and pricing information are accurately recorded on the relevant systems.
• Follow up on supplier claims relating to fabric shortages and CMT discrepancies.
• Obtain outstanding supplier credit notes and submit them to the relevant finance personnel.
• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between received stock, invoices and system records.

Fabric and Trims Stock Control

• Maintain accurate fabric stock cards, swatch cards and War Room records.
• Reconcile fabric meterage and stock balances against system reports.
• Compare daily trims stock reports against system records and resolve discrepancies.
• Monitor stock availability and communicate updates to Merchandising and Production.
• Assist with fabric swatches, surplus stock sales and stock pricing coordination.
• Ensure all stock records and relevant system workflows are accurately maintained.

General Administration and Communication

• Maintain professional relationships with suppliers, freight forwarders and internal departments.
• Provide timely updates on shipment schedules, stock availability, outstanding claims and documentation.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure all shipping and stock documentation is properly filed.
• Follow up proactively on outstanding purchase orders, shipments, invoices and claims.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures, customs requirements and internal financial controls.

Minimum Requirements

• Previous experience in shipping, import coordination, logistics or stock control.
• Experience dealing with international suppliers and freight forwarders.
• Knowledge of import documentation and customs clearance procedures.
• Experience with invoice verification, stock reconciliation and supplier claims.
• Strong numerical, administrative and organisational skills.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving and follow-up skills.
• Proficiency in computerised stock management systems.
• Experience in the clothing, textile or fabric manufacturing industry will be advantageous.
• Experience with Sync, Navis or shipping-tracking platforms will be an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong planning and organisational abilities.
• Good numerical and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify discrepancies and resolve issues proactively.