Imports & Exports Controller

SUMMARY:
One of our clients, based in Boksburg, is seeking an Imports & Exports Controller. To ensure that all Import and Export, including cross-border
compliance and cost optimisation: tariff classification, valuation, origin, duty and rebate management, and broker performance-plus standardisation of Incoterms 2020 and shipping documentation. Compile and update all back-order Reports on a weekly basis.

POSITION INFO:
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Matric/Grade 12
• National Certificate/ Diploma in one of the following:

1. International Trade
2. Logistics
3. Supply Chain Management
4. Import & Export Management
5. Freight Forwarding
6. Business Administration (with trade exposure)

• Minimum 3 years' experience in procurement within the Import / Export industries
• Extensive experience in Customs Clearing, and knowledge of clearing costs
• Proficient in computer skills, with a strong command of MS Office
• Knowledge in international shipping practices, foreign exchange, freight forwarding services, Customs compliance knowledge and INCOTERMS
• Capable of performing well under pressure and meeting tight deadlines
• Ability to work independently while demonstrating a high level of responsibility
• Strong attention to detail and effective administrative skills
• Import/export documentation expertise
• ERP & Excel skills Incoterms® 2020 / lncoterms® 2020-2030
• Tariff codes (HS Codes)/ Duties, VAT, Rebates
• BOL/AWB
• SADS00 / Customs Documentation
• Mining industry knowledge
• Technical minded
• Problem solving abilities

• Conduct tariff classification & duty determination
• Ensuring correct HS codes and rates at all times
• Broker & clearance management: right-first-time entries, postclearance queries, and audit readiness
• Retrieving Import and Export permits when required
• Incoterms governance: align terms with logistics reality and insurance, avoiding hidden costs (e.g., clarity around CIF/CIP insurance levels)
• Origin & trade agreements: manage certificates and rules of origin impacts on duty. (Linked to tariff/valuation/origin triad)
• Cross border transport arrangement into neighbouring country knowledge. (Must know inter Africa risks and avoidances)
• KPls - To be initiated and maintained
• Percentage of entries cleared on time (target 98%). Customs penalties and possible queries (target: 0 penalties)
• Shipping lead times are as planned, and arrival is as scheduled
• Communicate with suppliers to ensure correct items depart on schedule
• Broker performance inputs and KPis
• Throughout the production process, it is essential to plan, monitor and schedule the movement of materials to guarantee the timely arrival of all goods
• Confirm that estimated delivery times on purchase orders align with supplier lead times
• Provide comprehensive support for any urgent requirements that arise from production and branch locations
• Maintain a hard copy of the purchase order, RTP or buying report for audit purposes
• Continuously seek opportunities to enhance the shipping process and eliminate unnecessary delays
• Act as a liaison between suppliers and relevant departments regarding shipping processes and procedures
• The turnaround time for items that do not meet specifications should be addressed promptly
• Investigate any price discrepancies from shipping agents quotation to invoice received
• Notify the procurement administrator of all price differences and ensure accurate pricing is recorded in the system. Where applicable
• In the event that delivery dates for items change, notify the relevant departments accordingly. However, this should be avoided at all cost.
• Generate weekly relevant reports required to ensure that accurate information related to shipments is effectively communicated to all relevant departments and stakeholders, performing weekly follow ups with suppliers and utilising the purchasing back-order report as reference
• Foster and maintain positive relationships with suppliers and shipping agents
• Create and maintain a detailed database of all acquired information
• Expediting Foreign Purchase Orders:

1. Any issues concerning delivery timelines must be promptly identified and communicated to the relevant departments and stakeholders accordingly
2. Shipments and orders should be, as far as possible be consolidated to minimise unnecessary cost
3. Ensure that pre-clearing on shipments is done in a timely manner to avoid Customs Clearing delays
4. Before initiating the expediting process for any foreign orders, approval must be obtained from either the Supply Chain Manager or the Procurement Officer
5. Create and maintain a detailed database of all acquired specification information

• Shipping:

1. Obtain a minimum of three quotations from freight forwarders
2. Create purchase orders based on estimates provided by freight forwarders to ensure alignment with pricing during the invoicing process
3. Ensure that all documentation received from freight forwarders aligns with the purchase order submitted to foreign vendors
4. Ensure that pre-clearing on shipments is done in a timely manner to avoid Customs Clearing delays
5. Assist by providing the necessary shipping documents to the warehouse team upon or prior to arrival of shipments
6. Maintain knowledge of import costs, with identification of unwarranted costs received
7. Ensure that the correct tariff codes are used for all Import products, assuring correct duties and costs are allocated to the products
8. After shipments have been received, ensure that the complete bill and Customs Import Document pack and purchase order are sent to the finance department for processing
9. Create and maintain a detailed database of all acquired specification information

• Cost Savings:

1. At all times, or as far as possible, ensure best competitive pricing is received by comparing Shipping Agents quotes, and by choosing the most value for money/ cost-effective, quotation
2. Ensuring the most cost-effective mode of transportation is chosen
3. Create and maintain a detailed database of all acquired shipment information to align with monthly Cost Savings KPl's