At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage international shipments and ensure compliance in a dynamic alcohol manufacturing environment.
- Company: Join a fast-growing, internationally focused brand that values compliance and customer experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, generous staff discounts, and the autonomy to make impactful decisions.
- Why this job: Take ownership of export operations and contribute to a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in export coordination within the alcohol industry and strong knowledge of HMRC regulations.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values results, innovation, and continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced Shipping Controller Lead to manage and coordinate international shipments in a highly regulated alcohol manufacturing environment. This is a critical role ensuring exports are processed accurately, compliantly and cost-effectively, from order receipt through to final invoicing and proof of export. You’ll take ownership of end-to-end export operations, maintain HMRC-compliant audit trails, support excise duty movements and deliver a high standard of service to global customers.
What you’ll be doing
- Export Operations
- Coordinate the full export process from order receipt to shipment, delivery and final invoicing.
- Issue clear shipping instructions to freight forwarders, couriers and despatching warehouses.
- Prepare, check and maintain all export documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, certificates of origin/age, destination-specific paperwork).
- Track shipments and proactively manage delays or exceptions.
- Monitor bonded and non-bonded export stock levels, ensuring accuracy at all times.
- Ensure all alcohol exports comply with HMRC regulations, excise duty and duty suspension rules.
- Maintain complete, auditable export records in line with HMRC requirements.
- Liaise with bonded warehouses, customs agents and internal compliance teams.
- Support EMCS movements, including ARC references and reconciliations.
- Obtain and retain proof of export.
- Identify and escalate compliance risks, discrepancies or documentation errors.
- Work with freight forwarders and courier partners to secure reliable, cost-effective transport.
- Support shipping rate negotiation and cost-control initiatives.
- Ensure shipping costs are processed accurately and on time.
- Balance commercial decision-making with compliance and service delivery.
- Contribute to KPIs and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Act as a key contact for export-related customer queries.
- Build strong relationships with Sales, Finance, Compliance and Warehouse teams.
- Communicate shipment updates clearly and professionally.
- Handle complex queries with confidence and a solutions-focused approach.
- Identify opportunities to improve export processes and documentation accuracy.
- Support onboarding and development of logistics team members.
- Remain adaptable and support wider logistics activities as the business grows.
Requirements
- Proven experience coordinating exports within the alcohol / drinks manufacturing industry.
- Strong working knowledge of HMRC regulations, excise duty and under-bond movements.
- Experience with EMCS, bonded warehouses and excise controls.
- Solid understanding of Incoterms 2020.
- Highly organised, detail-oriented and process-driven.
- Confident working with ERP/order management systems and freight forwarder portals.
- Strong communication, numerical and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to work autonomously while managing multiple priorities in a regulated environment.
Desirable
- Knowledge of dangerous goods shipping requirements.
Why join us?
You’ll play a key role in a growing, internationally focused business where compliance, quality and customer experience matter. This is a great opportunity to take real ownership in a specialist export function and make a tangible impact.
Benefits
At Atom, we back curious, ambitious people who want to win. You’ll have real autonomy to run your area, challenge ideas and make decisions that directly impact the growth of a fast-scaling brand. We move quickly, care deeply about results, and give high performers the trust and ownership to deliver. You’ll be accountable for outcomes, not activity. There’s no politics or red tape here. Just smart people, high standards and the expectation that you show up, think commercially and get things done. Alongside competitive pay and core benefits, you’ll get a generous staff discount on over 15,000 brand SKUs.
Shipping Controller Lead in Tonbridge employer: Atom Group
Contact Detail:
Atom Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Shipping Controller Lead in Tonbridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the alcohol manufacturing industry on LinkedIn or at industry events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on HMRC regulations and excise duties. Show that you know your stuff and can handle compliance like a champ. We want to see you confidently tackle those tricky questions!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Check out our website for openings that match your skills, especially in export operations. We’re all about finding the right fit!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. It shows you’re genuinely interested and professional, which is exactly what we love to see.
We think you need these skills to ace Shipping Controller Lead in Tonbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Shipping Controller Lead role. Highlight your experience in coordinating exports, especially within the alcohol industry, and showcase your knowledge of HMRC regulations and excise duty.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage export operations and compliance effectively.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail. We want to see how you’ve successfully managed multiple priorities in a regulated environment, so give us examples!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at Atom Group
✨Know Your Regulations
Make sure you brush up on HMRC regulations and excise duty rules before the interview. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the compliance side of the role, which is crucial for a Shipping Controller Lead.
✨Demonstrate Your Process Knowledge
Prepare to talk about your experience with export processes, especially in the alcohol manufacturing industry. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've coordinated shipments and managed documentation to ensure compliance and efficiency.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves liaising with various stakeholders, practice articulating how you handle complex queries and communicate shipment updates. Highlight any past experiences where your communication made a significant impact on customer satisfaction or team collaboration.
✨Be Solutions-Focused
Think of examples where you've identified issues in export processes and implemented improvements. This will demonstrate your proactive approach and ability to contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, which is key for this position.