At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage international export orders, ensuring timely dispatch and accurate documentation.
- Company: Join Vitabiotics, the UK's No.1 vitamin company with a culture of innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy 24 days leave, private medical insurance, staff discounts, and more!
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Be part of a pioneering team in nutritional healthcare and make a global impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in freight forwarding and strong customer service skills required.
The predicted salary is between 29700 - 36300 £ per year.
Job title
- Export Shipping Executive
- (6-months fixed term contract)
Location
North West London, NW2 7HF
Salary
Competitive
Hours
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm + 1 hour lunch break
Hybrid
3 days in office, 2 days working from home
Start date
- Immediate
- Our business…
At Vitabiotics, you'll find a diverse bunch of talented folk who come from a wide range of backgrounds and possess an extensive array of experience.
What brings us all together is a culture that thrives on innovation, mutual respect, team work and a sense of commitment.
Vitabiotics is truly a great place to work!
Vitabiotics has pioneered advances in nutritional healthcare products for 55 years and the range includes many of Britain’s leading supplement brands such as Perfectil, Pregnacare, Wellman, Wellwoman and Menopace.
As the UK’s No.1 vitamin company, exporting to over 100 countries, Vitabiotics is widely acknowledged as leaders in innovation and in 2018 became the first vitamin company to twice receive the Queen’s Award for Innovation, awarded for its ground breaking clinical research.
As part of our commitment to innovation and development, we are looking for experienced Export Shipping Executive.
You will manage assigned international export customer orders from order readiness through shipment, documentation and delivery follow-up, ensuring goods are dispatched on time and with complete, accurate and destination-compliant documentation.
Responsibilities will include…
- Own the end-to-end operational management of assigned export customer orders, from confirmed order and cargo readiness through dispatch, shipment documentation and delivery follow-up.
- Manage ocean export shipments, including groupage/LCL and FCL movements, using approved freight forwarders, shipping lines, NVOCCs/co-loaders and hauliers.
- Arrange bookings and transport in line with required delivery dates, cargo readiness, vessel schedules, port cut-offs and customer instructions; coordinate collections from warehouse/packing locations and resolve operational constraints.
- Monitor orders in SAP, including customer delivery dates, stock availability/allocation and backorders; work with Supply Chain and the customer to manage priorities, split shipments or revised shipment plans where required.
- Prepare, check and issue accurate export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, shipping instructions, Bills of Lading/sea waybills, Certificates of Origin and other destination-specific documents or certificates as applicable.
- Apply approved customs, country-of-origin and preferential-origin instructions and coordinate export customs declarations and supporting evidence through the appropriate internal team, broker or freight forwarder; escalate any uncertainty before shipment.
- Work closely with Quality/Regulatory teams to confirm destination-country product, registration, certificate, labelling and minimum shelf life requirements before release of goods where applicable.
- Ensure all documents are consistent across product description, quantities, values, weights, commodity codes, origin, Incoterms, consignee/importer details and transport information before final issue.
- Review draft Bills of Lading and other carrier documents promptly, arrange amendments within deadlines, and ensure final documents are released to customers, banks, brokers or agents in accordance with the agreed shipment terms.
- Maintain proactive communication with customers/distributors, freight forwarders, customs brokers and internal stakeholders, providing accurate shipment status, ETD/ETA, documentation progress and early escalation of delays or risks.
- Track shipments and resolve operational exceptions, including vessel rollovers, missed cut-offs, customs queries, port congestion, documentation discrepancies and demurrage/detention risk.
- Support freight cost control by using approved rates, checking charges, challenging avoidable costs and supporting freight invoice queries.
- Maintain accurate shipment records and system data for traceability, audit and KPI reporting.
- Contribute to export process improvement, country shipping instructions and team cross-cover.
Requirements
Essential
- Experience within a freight forwarding environment, with strong hands-on ocean/sea/air freight export experience.
- Proven start-to-finish management of groupage/LCL and FCL export shipments, including bookings, collections, carrier/forwarder coordination, documentation and shipment tracking.
- Practical experience preparing and checking export shipping documentation and working with UK export customs procedures and freight/customs brokers.
- Working knowledge of Bills of Lading, shipping instructions, Incoterms, port/vessel cut-offs and the operational requirements of shipping lines, co-loaders and hauliers.
- Experience managing multiple international shipments/customer accounts simultaneously while meeting documentation and dispatch deadlines.
- Strong customer service experience and confidence communicating with customers, overseas agents and service providers to resolve shipment issues.
Desirable
- Experience on the exporter/manufacturer side within FMCG, food supplements, healthcare, pharmaceutical, cosmetics or another regulated consumer-goods environment.
- Experience shipping to the Middle East, Africa and Europe and handling destination-specific documentation, Chamber of Commerce/consular requirements or document legalisation.
- Knowledge of country-of-origin, preferential-origin and Rules of Origin concepts, including Certificates of Origin and preference documents where applicable.
- Experience with Letters of Credit, documentary collections or bank-controlled shipping documentation.
- Experience using SAP/S/4HANA or a comparable ERP system; freight forwarding systems such as Cargo Wise are also advantageous.
- BIFA, CILT, customs/trade compliance or other relevant logistics qualification but not essential.
Benefits
- 24 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- Birthday day off.
- 2 Charity days a year.
- Bupa dental cover.
- Private medical insurance.
- 50% staff discount on all Vitabiotics products.
- Staff skills training.
- Health and wellbeing programme.
- Pension contributions.
- Sick pay support.
- Free onsite parking.
- Enhanced maternity or paternity leave.
- Company events.
- Fresh fruit and snacks.
- Free EV charging station.
Export Shipping Executive in London employer: Vitabiotics
Vitabiotics is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. With a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and private medical insurance, employees are supported in both their personal and professional lives. The vibrant work culture in North West London fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the supply chain sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Export Shipping Executive in London
✨Get to Know the Local Scene
Temporary roles in logistics and supply chain often rely on local connections. Visit local businesses or warehouses and introduce yourself! You'd be surprised how often work is filled through word of mouth, so put yourself out there.
✨Leverage Industry Events
Look for trade shows, logistics expos, or supply chain seminars happening in your area. These events are goldmines for networking and often feature companies looking for temporary staff. It’s a great way to make a lasting impression!
✨Be Ready to Flex Your Skills
In temporary roles, employers want people who can easily adapt. Brush up on your knowledge of inventory management systems or logistics software—anything that can show you're ready to jump in right away. It will make you stand out!
✨Apply through Our Website!
Don't forget to check our listings at StudySmarter! We often have great temporary roles in logistics and supply chain that you can apply for directly. Getting your application in through our site is a solid step towards landing your next gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Export Shipping Executive in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Logistics Know-How:When applying for a Export Shipping Executive in logistics and supply chain, make sure to highlight your relevant skills such as inventory management, procurement knowledge, and experience with logistics software. Tailor your CV to show any specific projects or coursework you've completed that relate to the field—specifics matter!
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, it's important to showcase your flexibility in your cover letter. Employers want to know that you can hit the ground running and adapt quickly to changing priorities, so share examples of previous roles where you've shown this adaptability.
Include Certifications and Training:If you have any relevant certifications like a Forklift License or training in supply chain management, make sure these are front and centre in your application. They really can set you apart in the logistics field, especially for a temporary role where employers may prefer someone who's ready to jump straight into the task at hand.
Why You Want This Role:In your cover letter, express why you're interested in this temporary position at Vitabiotics. Use it as a chance to show your enthusiasm for the logistics field and how this experience will help you grow professionally. Remember, it’s about more than just the job—show us you're keen to learn and make a difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vitabiotics
✨Know Your Supply Chain Basics
Brush up on fundamental supply chain concepts, like inventory management and logistics strategies. Since this is a temporary role, having a quick grasp of these basics can set you apart and show that you can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Problem-Solving Skills
Be ready to discuss real-life scenarios where you solved logistics challenges. Interviewers love hearing how you approached issues like delays or order discrepancies, so come prepared with a couple of solid examples that highlight your critical thinking skills.
✨Stay Flexible and Open-Minded
As a temporary candidate, we need to demonstrate adaptability. Be prepared to discuss how you can quickly integrate into different teams and handle diverse tasks. This can really showcase your potential to thrive in a fast-paced environment like logistics.
✨Get Familiar with Logistics Tools
Familiarise yourself with common supply chain management software, such as SAP or Oracle. Mentioning these tools during your interview can impress your interviewer at Vitabiotics and demonstrate your readiness to engage with their systems right away.