Team Lead- Imports

Job Purpose

Coordinate implementation of import/ export strategy and plans to provide preparation and clearance of documentation through the relevant authorities and guide and advise customers on import/ export operations and regulations in line with business strategy and objectives, corporate guidelines and policies

Typical Business Titles

Import/Export Manager

Differentiator

• Ensure policies, practices and procedures are understood and followed by direct reports, customers and stakeholders
• Setting goals and objectives for team members for achievement of operational results
• Problems faced may be difficult but typically are not complex
  
  
  

Key Tasks

• Coordinate implementation of import/ export strategy and plans to optimize service and performance
• Monitor day-to-day operations of the team, prioritize and assign tasks to effectively utilize team’s resources, and meet work schedules and targets
• Oversee implementation of plans of import/ export operations and transactional operations in the receiving area such as delivery arrangement, planning and follow-up of shipment
• Create/ confirm transport order to ensure delivery of the shipment to the final customer
• Perform booking and booking optimization according to internal guidelines as defined by product team
• Prepare, control and distribute all required Import documents to counterparts such as carrier, consignee, supplier, etc. complying with regulations and internal procedures
• Verify responses from counterparts and finalize validation of required documents
• Track and check shipment status in the import area, observe issues to identify any incidents and provide resolutions
• Support customer service in the incident and exception management resolution
• Check proper implementation of customer before operations is starting regular business service
• Identify supplier performance issues and propose solutions to improve performance and provide feedback, when required
• Develop and build relationships with key suppliers and other internal functions such as capacity management, OCC, sales, customer service, etc.
• Detect issues and opportunities, and implement improved practices and quality standards for import/ export focusing on increasing effectiveness and efficiency
• Coordinate implementation of OFR Ops/CS strategy and plans in line with business strategy and requirements, corporate guidelines and policies
• Monitor day-to-day operations of the team, prioritize and assign tasks to effectively utilize team’s resources, and meet work schedules and targets to provide ocean freight services for internal and external customers
• Contribute to develop, maintain and achieve ocean freight productivity targets
• Assist to develop and execute plans for ocean freight products in areas such as perishables, pharmaceutical, aviation, etc.
• Seek opportunities to expand business with new clients and continuously improve in-house customer services
• Develop close business relationship with existing clients and achieve a desired level of customer retention
• Keep track of account performances, prepare and provide monthly reports to management
• Establish and develop business relationships with customers through regular customer visits
• Contribute to development of shipping tenders and ensure on-time submission on relevant documents
• Promptly respond to pricing enquiries in an efficient and competitive manner, and timely and accurately update local tariff
• Implement all facets of inbound and outbound documentation for all services
• Contribute to processes and design systems to enhance service quality and alignment with company’s direction and long-term goals
• Detect issues and opportunities, and implement improved practices for OFR Ops/CS focusing on increasing effectiveness and efficiency
  
  
  

In area of OFR product:

• Create and/or confirm transport orders, perform and optimize bookings
• Prepare, control, and distribute all required Import/Export documents
• Identify performance issues of suppliers, and propose solutions to improve performance
• Update Customs shipment information and physical status, resolve customer issues and incidents
  
  
  

Stakeholders

• Understand customer and key stakeholders interests and concerns and advise direct reports, customers and key stakeholders
• Build strong, trusting relationships with DHL managers
• Extensive contact with other specialist departments
• Cooperate with and coordinate 3rd parties e.g. external service providers
  
  
  

Management Responsibility

• Supervise professional level employees (typically entry or experienced level) and may also supervise some non professional employees
  
  
  

Skills

Customs Trade Compliance Customs Regulations Customs Brokerage Customs Declaration Import Export Dangerous Goods Regulations Sanction Countries Customer Requirements CRM Classification Bill Of Lading Certificate Of Origin Tracking Third Party Logistics Airlines Authorities Accuracy Microsoft Excel Data Entry Continuous Improvement Workflow Automation DHL Business Knowledge Business Processes Business Strategy Project Management Stakeholder Management Influencing Feedback Presentation & Storytelling Facilitation Negotiation People Management Resourcing

Qualifications & Key Requirements

Education Level

Bachelors Degree

Experience Level

more than 5 years