Shipping Planner / Manager - Leading Timber Supplier. Hybrid in Lechlade

Take the Helm of Our Shipping Operations! Are you ready to play a pivotal role in a business where sustainability, innovation, and global logistics come together? As Shipping Planning Manager you'll be the engine behind our international shipping and inventory planning ensuring that the right product gets to the right place, at the right time, every time. This is your opportunity to bring your international shipping expertise, ERP knowledge, and passion for precision to one of Europe's largest and most forward-thinking timber product suppliers.

The Role at a Glance:

• Shipping Planning Manager
• Cirencester, GL7, with Occasional Travel & Hybrid Working
• £35,000 - £40,000 Plus, Excellent Benefits Package including: Generous pension scheme, company health / dental plan + group bonus scheme
• Holidays: 25 days per year plus 8 statutory holidays + scheme to buy a further 5 days
• Reporting to: Shipping and Inventory Manager

Your Skills / Background:

• Inventory and Shipment Planning
• International Shipping
• ERP Systems

About Us: We are part of the Södra Group, in our world, everything starts with the forest. Some see a forest. We see a source of renewable raw material, climate benefits, long-term economic growth and Swedish innovativeness that will never stop growing. We are the UK and Ireland's leading distributor of planed strength graded softwood and engineered wood products to the roof truss, timber frame manufacturing and timber and builders' merchant sectors with 35 staff and a turnover of £200m. Södra's Group strategy focus until 2025 is to create profitable and sustainable growth in an ever-changing world. We will continue to develop our existing products, but also increase our focus on processing, innovation, resource-efficiency, our customers, and market, and maximise value from digitisation. Sustainability and profitability go hand in hand when we develop climate-smart solutions along the entire value chain – from forest to customer. We have won many awards for our products and services and pride ourselves on our professional and personal approach.

The Shipping Planning Manager Role: As Shipping Planning Manager, you will be responsible for interpreting inventory and sales needs to develop a shipment programme that aligns with business needs. You'll oversee and manage key external relationships - such as with shippers, terminals, and suppliers - that are critical to smooth operations. Success in this role requires a solid understanding of the company's ERP system and how it integrates with day-to-day operational procedures to deliver optimal performance. Strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail are essential.

Key Accountabilities:

• Working with the Operations Director and Sales Managers to ensure that purchase / sales forecasting is accurate
• Planning and co-ordinating monthly shipments
• Working with the sales organisation to ensure that sales forecasting is on time and matches customer demand
• Checking that supplier contract prices are current and accurate on contracts
• Working with Sweden to plan purchase orders in a timely fashion
• Supporting the Procurement Administrator to ensure purchase orders are completed
• Booking vessels in a timely fashion
• Managing the accurate entering of stock into the system including Inbound, Landing and the entering of financial amounts
• Handling purchase invoice queries
• Monitoring ship out-turns and carrying out stock adjustments if required
• Liaising with the finance department to provide end of month reports e.g. stock on water report
• Assisting with stock queries and adjustments and working with the terminals / operations colleagues on issues that may arise
• Producing and updating supplier purchase contracts, PO's, communication and tracking
• Supporting colleagues within the Shipping Department in fulfilment of their roles as required

About You:

• Thorough knowledge of inventory and shipment planning
• Previous exposure to International Shipping
• Relevant Shipping Qualifications e.g. Foundation Diploma in Dry Cargo Chartering is a bonus but not essential
• Background in operating ERP systems
• Excellent inter-personal skills
• Determination to define change and see it through
• The ability to adapt to changing circumstances and navigate unexpected challenges
• Excellent decision making and analytical skills
• Strong organisational skills

What's on Offer:

• Competitive remuneration package
• Company contributory pension scheme
• Company Health and Dental Plan
• Participation in the Group bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave per year plus bank holidays – with the opportunity to buy up to an additional 5 days

Sounds like a good fit? Apply here for a fast-track path to our hiring team.