Shipping Manager

Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £34,905 – £37,173 (depending on skills and experience)

A Specialist Allowance of up to 10% per annum is also available for this role.

 
Contract Type: Open-ended (Permanent)
Hours: Full-time
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Closing date: 22nd September 2024

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society. 

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

An integral post within the Logistics Team, this role manages and oversees Rutherford Appleton Laboratory’s (RAL) shipping and customs functions. The post discharges services and activities that are legally compliant and to a high standard to STFC departments, staff and collaborators at RAL. 

The post holder will oversee all shipping services in response to customer requests, in line with agreed service levels, processes and standards. This involves ensuring accuracy of technical details relating to UK and overseas dispatch arrangements, including HMRC regulations and other compliance documentation to safeguard STFC from financial risk of fines, delays and damage to reputation and loss of authorisations from HMRC.

Working closely within a shipping team and the wider logistics operation, the post holder will have responsibility for managing shipping and customs queries arising from STFC customers, as well as developing the service offer and supporting other sites with technical support and advice.

Providing shipping and customs expertise, the post holder will engage and respond to changes and requirements so that STFC is able to continuously improve its frontline science programmes and maintain and develop commercial arrangements. Keeping up to date with new legislation and best practice is vital.

This role will be responsible for overseeing the shipping of hazardous, dangerous and radioactive material in and out of the RAL site and provide expertise to the wider team. 

The post holder will investigate technical details relating to UK and overseas transportation, including customs, regulations and necessary documentation, and troubleshoot issues that may arise in all types of international transportation.

Role Responsibilities
General

• The post holder will ensure that daily and weekly shipping activities, both domestic and overseas, are discharged efficiently and timely through delegation, organisation and allocation of tasks and workflow management, including (but not limited to):
• Ensure all courier functions are carried out on a daily basis
• Despatch and registration of dangerous goods and radioactive material
• Ensure that all databases are up to date for reporting on MI and financial data
• Bulk shipping of crates, pallets and other equipment using suppliers
• Customs clearance and goods in transit monitoring
• Provide specialist knowledge and support to the team to ensure service continuity and resilience
• Respond to more complex shipping requirements relating to Customs compliance, procedures, Carnets and associated documentation
• Oversee the processing and dispatch of all hazardous materials, with correct packing and preparation of Dangerous Goods paperwork and proformas for the outward consignments both for air and road movement in consultation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Accord Dangereux Routier directories (ADR) for air and road.
• Manage shipping activities in line with agreed service levels, updating and developing these to respond to improvements and agreed processes
• Respond to escalated customer queries and provide resolution, support to get goods to destination
• Discharge role of Radioactive Substance Dispatcher
• Work closely with expert consultants to ensure service and practice is compliant.
• Manage and maintain reporting information in relation to all aspects of shipping operation
• Assist other STFC sites with more complex shipping and customs issues
• Participate with SHE Code review and audits and adopt actions
• Develop, manage and maintain standard operating processes for tasks and functions to ensure consistent practice and continuous improvement
• Work with courier and freight agent account managers to optimise the service received
• Ensure professional qualifications and mandatory training is kept up to date for the shipping and wider team, keeping aligned to industry/customs regulatory changes relating to shipping processes, including becoming Radiation Protection Supervisor (STFC qualification).
• Undertake additional duties at the request of line managers or senior line manager that are considered reasonable and commensurate with your post.
• Participate in operational meetings.

Line management 

• Provide consistent performance management, oversight and supervision to direct reports and other staff as required
• Provide regular feedback to staff, undertake one-to-ones and conduct appraisals

Financial and Administration

• Retain records and data efficiently and implement rigorous electronic document management approaches
• Liaise with Logistics Administration to ensure that invoices and related processes are up to date and validated
• Provide Logistics Administration with information for reconciliation of VAT duties
• Manage and oversee correct recording of imports and exports, including reporting and tracking for Customs processing relief, temporary admissions and Carnets.

Estates and Corporate Responsibilities
As a member of STFC’s Estates Services, proactively support the Estates remit to deliver flexible, customer focused and efficient services that support the delivery of STFC’s vision, values and objectives. 

The Estates Services team needs to be agile and able to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our diverse customer base; therefore it is expected that the post holder will demonstrate a flexible and adaptable approach.  

All members of the Estates team will, from time to time, be expected to lead or participate (appropriate to Band level) in STFC and Estates projects that may be outside their normal remit.

Person Specification 
Qualifications
Essential

• Level 3 (HNC or equivalent) qualifications, or other equivalent experience
• Clean current UK driving license
• Dangerous goods qualification
• Customs certification/qualification.

Desirable

• Health and Safety qualification (eg. IOSH)
• Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (SQA)

Knowledge and Experience
Essential

• Proven shipping and logistics expertise
• Proven experience of Dangerous Goods handling and documentation
• Industry and supplier management of despatch and courier suppliers and freight agents
• Ability to simplify complex customs/shipping requirements and communicate to customers, verbally and in writing.
• High level of literacy and numeracy
• Accessing and extracting data
• Confident user of Microsoft Office (Excel, Access, Word, Outlook)
• Equality and diversity workplace awareness
• Relevant Health and Safety knowledge and awareness
• Financial management systems, eg. Oracle, SAP

Personal Skills and Qualities
Essential

• Excellent people and teamworking skills
• Deliver high levels of accuracy
• Communicate effectively and professionally at all levels
• Provide a customer focus and approach
• Personally effective and able to deliver results
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving approach
• Able to manage competing demands
• Able to positively engage with change
• Able to work safely, individually and ensuring those around you comply with health and safety requirements.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.