Shipping Office Support
1 day ago
Manchester
Shipping Office Support (Entry Level) Strong & Herd LLP | Office‑based | Full‑time | Permanent | £25,000–£30,000 (DOE) We are looking for a proactive, detail-focused Shipping Office Support person to join our busy Shipping Office team, supporting day-to-day import, export, and customs administration. This is an office-based, full-time role with structured on-the-job training and ongoing support—ideal for someone who wants to develop into a trusted team member and build strong working relationships with our existing clients. This role is suited to someone who wants to build a career in international trade and UK customs compliance. Import/export experience is not essential; we are happy to train the right person and develop them into our way of working. The work is data‑heavy, so accuracy, initiative and adaptability are key. What We’re Looking For Essential • Strong attention to detail and ability to work accurately (the role is data‑heavy and compliance‑led)., • A genuine willingness to learn and develop, taking on feedback and building knowledge over time., • Adaptable and able to work calmly with changing priorities and deadlines., • Shows initiative and takes ownership of tasks, following issues through to resolution., • Good IT skills (especially Excel and Microsoft Office Suite) and confidence in learning internal systems and databases; clear written and verbal communication skills. Desirable • Any exposure to import/export, freight forwarding, logistics, finance administration or other data‑led administration roles., • An interest in international trade, customs compliance or supply chain operations (e.g. through study, reading or work experience)., • Basic understanding of customs declarations and/or HMRC systems. Key Responsibilities • Log import and export jobs onto client record sheets and internal systems., • Check import/export data against His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) records and highlight any errors., • Request and follow up on amendments for errors with the declaring agent or via the S&H customs declaration service., • Produce basic data statistics to support accounting requirements in the areas of customs control., • Check freight invoices to ensure charges are correct; support clients with freight contract discussions where required., • Maintain records in line with customs and export control requirements, chasing freight companies to obtain accurate evidence promptly., • Provide cross‑cover to other members of the Shipping Office Support team across clients, ensuring service continuity., • Handle general office duties within a small team, including answering telephone calls, monitoring shared inboxes, and directing or answering helpline queries. Training and Development • Structured on‑the‑job training covering import/export processes, customs fundamentals and internal systems., • Opportunity to attend Strong & Herd’s recognised import, export and customs compliance training courses., • Over time, increased responsibility within the Shipping Office team, including greater ownership of client jobs and supporting client communication. Client Communication • Ensure key information about client work, requirements and decisions is recorded accurately on the database., • Support client communications when requirements or relevant trade and compliance areas change, under guidance from senior colleagues., • Track client queries to ensure timely responses and identify opportunities for further support. What We Offer • Structured training and access to recognised import, export and customs compliance courses., • Clear development pathway within the Shipping Office team as skills and confidence grow., • Supportive, professional small‑team environment with varied work across clients and sectors. How to Apply To apply, please send your CV, along with a short covering note outlining your interest in UK Customs & International Trade and why you would be a good fit for this role, to: Niamh O’Connor Associate Partner If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. Interview Process Successful candidates will be invited to take part in a two‑stage interview process: • Stage One: An initial virtual interview, • Stage Two: A face‑to‑face interview at our office, providing an opportunity to meet the team and gain a deeper understanding of the role and working environment.