Packaging & Logistics Specialist in Exeter

Our Client is seeking a Packaging & Logistics Specialist for an initial 12-month contract role, expected to start in 23 weeks time (late May/early June).

Woodland Consultancy Services welcomes applications from all suitably qualified candidates and assesses applicants based on skills, experience and suitability for the role.

• Extensive experience in logistics, packing and transportation within the oil & gas or heavy engineering sector
• Proven expertise in: Packing of heavy, complex and high-value equipment, International shipping, customs and compliance frameworks
• Strong knowledge of: Multimodal transportation and abnormal load handling, Preservation, corrosion protection and long-term storage requirements
• Experience conducting supplier inspections and audits
• Degree or equivalent in Engineering, Logistics, Supply Chain or related discipline

• Technical Authority: Deep understanding of packing specifications and transport integrity
• Attention to Detail: Ability to identify risks in packaging, marking and documentation
• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication across engineering, procurement and suppliers
• Commercial Awareness: Understanding of cost, risk and contractual implications
• Leadership & Influence: Gravitas to drive compliance and supplier performance
• Problem Solving: Ability to assess and resolve complex packing and logistics challenges
• Site Presence: Willingness to travel for supplier inspections and approvals

Role Purpose: The Packing & Logistics Specialist is accountable for the governance, review, clarification, inspection, and approval of all packing, marking and shipping specifications across a portfolio of oil & gas equipment and materials. This role ensures full compliance with corporate and project requirements, including Packing, Marking and Shipping Instructions, and is responsible for assuring that all goods are protected, preserved, documented, and transported safely and compliantly from supplier to final delivery location. The position plays a critical leadership role in integrating procurement, engineering, quality, logistics and project management functions, while providing hands-on oversight at supplier works to ensure execution excellence.

• Specification Ownership & Governance: Act as the single point of accountability for the interpretation, implementation and assurance of project packing specifications. Ensure all suppliers meet requirements for: Incoterms 2020, Packing, marking, preservation and handling procedures, Transport, lifting and slinging documentation, Hazardous materials and stored energy registers, HS Codes and customs compliance, Shipping documentation and declarations, Export controls, dual-use classifications and customs requirements.
• Technical Review, Clarification & Approval: Review and approve supplier packing proposals, ensuring: Suitability for transport modes, climate conditions and storage durations, Adequate internal securing, bracing, corrosion protection, and sealing, Compliance with lifting and handling requirements. Assess and approve: Deviation Decision Requests (DDR) where specifications cannot be met. Ensure packaging design supports: Multimodal transport (road, sea, air, rail), Abnormal / out-of-gauge shipments, Environmental packaging requirements and sustainability principles.
• Supplier Engagement & Inspection: Conduct supplier visits and shopfloor inspections to: Verify packing construction, preservation, and marking standards, Witness packing activities and confirm compliance prior to release, Review: Packing photographs and despatch dossiers, Lifting and transport drawings. Enforce rejection of non-compliant packing and drive corrective actions where: Protection, marking or securing is inadequate, Documentation or regulatory compliance is incomplete.
• Logistics & Technical Assurance: Provide subject matter expertise on: Packing of large mechanical and electrical equipment, valves, pipes, fittings, cable drums and bulk materials, Fragile, hazardous, and dual-use materials. Ensure: Appropriate packaging category selection (cases, crates, pallets, bundles, drums), Correct application of: Desiccants, corrosion inhibitors and preservation systems, Shock, temperature and humidity monitoring devices. Validate all lifting strategies, securing points, and transport cradles for safety and integrity.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Liaise closely with: Client Logistics Team and support them by ensuring early visibility of dimensions, weights, abnormal loads and transport constraints, Project Procurement embedding requirements into POs and supplier agreements, Project Engineering confirming lifting, transport and preservation design.
• Compliance, Risk & Documentation: Ensure full compliance with: Export controls, dual-use classifications and customs requirements, Hazardous materials regulations and COSHH-equivalent standards. Oversee: Despatch dossiers, packing lists, certificates of origin, MSDS and DGNs. Guarantee accuracy and completeness of: Marking, labelling and international handling symbols.

DURATION: 12 months initially. Start expected in 23 weeks time (approximately 28 May - 4 June).

LOCATION: The role will be predominantly based in our Clients Offices in Surrey. Hybrid working may be possible. Occasional travel for supplier inspections and approvals will be required.

RATE: Please quote what limited company hourly rate you would be looking for. If the role is likely to be outside of IR35 the final decision will only be made after a QDOS assessment.

BENEFITS: Limited Company contract Outside IR35. We are instructed to only submit to our Client candidates whose qualifications and experience match clients specifications and can work in the UK.

For more information please contact Suzanne Wood.