Import Controller

Purpose:

To control and facilitate ocean freight imports.

Requirements:

Knowledge & Experience

Must have a matric certificate
Must have minimum 3-5 years ocean freight imports experience
Must have a very good understanding of customs procedures

Skills

Conceptual, analytical, numeracy skills
Problem Solving Skills
Communication Skills
Ability to work under pressure
Quality Focus
Strong team player
Attention to detail
Time Management

Attributes

Adaptability
Customer Focus
Initiating action
Planning and organising
Quality orientation
Stress tolerance
Be challenging
Be confident
Be calm and co-operative
Be honest, humble and respectful

Training

Induction
Quality Training
Duties And Accountabilities:

Day to day Operations

Control and manage import process from receipt of pre-alert documents/shipment notification to final delivery to the customer
Request for arrival notification from the shipping line/co-loader
Register file on CargoWise once arrival notification is received from the shipping line/co-loader
Ensure that all commercial documentation received tallies and is correct for customs clearance purposes
Complete document checklist
Submit documents to customs entry department
Arrange and co-ordinate customs exams and regulatory stops
Obtain extended releases
Prepare shipping line release
Ensure that NAVIS is updated 72 hours prior to vessel arrival
Inform transporter of the arriving shipment by sending through a delivery instruction
Update internal work notes on CargoWise – daily by 10H00
Generate status report to customer daily/progressively regarding the milestone event/progress of the shipment
Monitor delivery with transporter and liaise with client services representative/customer
Ensure that containers are uplifted and turned in within the prescribed times
Prepare job profit summary and ensure invoice is sent to the customer within KPI
Ensure all 3rd party invoices are received, reconciled and sent to head office for payment within transactional periods
Ensure all WIP’s and accruals are attended to timeously
Evaluate and resolve problems presented by team members
Update milestones and internal work notes on CargoWise – real-time
Ensure quality is the primary focus in every task
Assist in activities of team members

Management of Financials

Verify customer’s credit terms prior to proceeding with the shipment
Quality check accuracy of estimate prior to expediting shipment
Prepare job profit summary – collating of all disbursements, calculation of agency and finance fees
Account for profit/loss on shipment
Manage costs and negotiation of rates to ensure maximum profit
Reconcile all 3rd party invoices
Ensure all shipments are handled in accordance to the company’s profit margins
Sign off job profit summary prior to posting local client/overseas agent costs
Manage finance in operations – WIP – (KPI <14 dwell days), Accruals – (KPI <60 dwell days) and out of transaction losses

Management of Customer Relationship

Liaise with client services representative/customer on a daily basis – advising client services representative/customer of delivery and shipment status
Receive orders from client services representative/customer – requesting original documents/clearing instructions
Generate status reports advising customer of progress
Continuously improve customer turnaround times
Customer– refers to internal and external customers
Facilitate and ensure effective process management

Imports

Register file on CargoWise once arrival notification is received from the shipping line/co-loader
Ensure that all commercial documentation received tallies and is correct for customs clearance purposes
Complete document checklist
Submit documents to customs entry department
Arrange and co-ordinate customs exams and regulatory stops
Obtain extended releases
Prepare shipping line release
Ensure that NAVIS is updated 72 hours prior to vessel arrival
Inform transporter of the arriving shipment by sending through a delivery instruction. Delivery instruction to include demurrage/detention period.
Update internal work notes on CargoWise – daily by 10H00
Generate status report to customer daily regarding the progress of the shipment
Monitor delivery with transporter and liaise with client service representative/customer
Ensure that containers are uplifted and turned in within the prescribed times
Prepare job profit summary and ensure invoice is sent to the customer
Ensure all 3rd party invoices are received, reconciled and sent to head office for payment within transactional periods
Ensure all WIP’s and accruals are attended to timeously
Evaluate and resolve problems presented by team members
Update milestones and internal work notes on Cargo wise – real-time

Quality Management

Check and double check to make sure minimal/no errors are made
Provide quality service to customers and continuosly exceed their expectations
Get it right the first time

Risk Management

Ensure errors are minimal
Ensure instructions are received/issued in writing and recorded
Conform to SOP’s

This description is a general statement of required major duties and responsibilities performed on a regular and continuous basis. It does not exclude other duties as assigned.