Ocean Imports Specialist

Ocean Import Operator - NVOCC

Location: Chelmsford, UK

Salary: £30,000 - £45,000 (depending on experience)

Schedule: Full-time 9:00am - 5:15pm Office-based (5 days per week)

Join a fast-growing logistics business with big ambitions.

A rapidly expanding UK-based NVOCC is looking for a driven Ocean Import Operator to join its team at the Chelmsford head office. The company has ambitious growth plans and is building a team of motivated logistics professionals who want to develop their careers while helping scale a high-performance operation.

This role is ideal for someone with NVOCC or freight forwarding experience in ocean imports who thrives in a fast-paced environment and wants to play a key role in managing import shipments from vessel arrival through to final delivery.

Key Responsibilities -

Import Operations Management

• Manage ocean import shipments under House Bills of Lading (HBLs).
• Verify Master Bills of Lading (MBLs) against internal documentation.
• Coordinate with shipping lines, overseas agents, co-loaders, and consolidation partners.
• Monitor vessel arrivals, port free time, and manage demurrage/detention exposure.
• Arrange cargo unpacking where required and coordinate final delivery.

Carrier & Liability Management

• Operate in line with company terms and conditions (e.g., BIFA STCs).
• Identify and escalate potential cargo liability risks.
• Handle cargo discrepancies, damage reports, and claims where required.
• Maintain accurate operational documentation to mitigate risk.

Customs & Regulatory Compliance

• Submit or coordinate UK import customs declarations via CDS.
• Verify commodity codes, customs values, origin, and duty/VAT calculations.
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, Border Force, and port health requirements.
• Review shipment documentation including invoices, packing lists, and certificates.

Financial & Documentation Control

• Issue arrival notices to consignees.
• Calculate landed costs including freight, handling charges, and surcharges.
• Approve supplier invoices and generate customer invoices.
• Maintain complete and audit-ready digital shipment files.

Customer & Partner Communication

• Provide proactive updates to customers on shipment status.
• Resolve operational issues or delivery delays efficiently.
• Build strong relationships with carriers, agents, and logistics partners.

Key Requirements -

Essential

• 2+ years' experience in UK ocean imports within an NVOCC or freight forwarding environment.
• Experience managing House Bills of Lading and consolidation shipments.
• Strong knowledge of demurrage/detention management.
• Working knowledge of UK Customs CDS procedures.

Desirable

• Experience with Destin8, CNS, or other port community systems.
• Claims handling experience.
• Knowledge of SOLAS VGM or IMDG regulations.
• Industry training such as BIFA certification.

What They're Looking For

• Someone ambitious and eager to grow within a scaling logistics business.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced NVOCC environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple shipments simultaneously.
• A proactive communicator who takes ownership of files and operational outcomes.

Benefits

• £30,000 - £45,000 salary depending on experience
• Pension scheme
• 21 days annual leave + bank holidays
• Clear career progression opportunities within a growing NVOCC operation.