Inbound Logistics Coordinator

Come and join the leading #avoexperts 🥑

Westfalia Fruit is a leading multinational supplier of fresh fruit and related value-added products to global markets. Through our vertically-integrated supply chain we grow, source, ripen, pack, process and market quality avocadoes & fresh produce - 365 days a year & across the globe.

With the largest avocado-growing footprint in the world, we are recognised as the leading #avoexperts and considered as the supplier of choice to both retail & wholesale customers whom we serve from sales offices in the UK, Europe, North America, Latin America & Southern Africa.

We're looking for two Inbound Logistics Coordinators to join our Operations hub in, Spalding, UK.

The Inbound Logistics Coordinates will work on a 4 on 4 off roter as a tandem team, responsible for the movement of fresh produce from global suppliers through ports and third-party logistics providers to the receiving site. They will keep shipments and transport on track, protect product quality and remaining shelf life, and give planning teams a reliable view of arrivals. Ultimately, taking ownership of day-to-day logistics issues, propose practical recovery options and control avoidable storage and transport costs.

Responsibilities include:

• Maintain an accurate inbound shipment tracker covering orders, product, calibre, quantities, vessel and container details, expected arrivals and delivery status.
• Liaise with overseas suppliers, shipping lines, freight forwarders and agents to track shipments, agree recovery actions and communicate revised arrival dates.
• Align inbound shipments with Demand and Supply Planning, stock needs and site capacity, flagging arrivals clustered together, shortages and excess stock.
• Confirm cargo release with the import team, monitor terminal availability and escalate port holds or inspection delays that could affect collections.
• Book approved temperature-controlled hauliers for port collections, deliveries and site or 3PL transfers. Confirm slots, issue load and handling instructions, and track deliveries through to receipt.
• Resolve transport delays, missed slots and failed collections. Manage collection cut-offs and empty-container returns within free time, retain proof of return and hand over outstanding movements.
• Monitor cold-chain, hygiene and handling compliance, obtain temperature records and escalate temperature excursions or damaged loads to Technical or Quality.
• Reconcile quantities, batches and stock locations with sites and 3PLs. Follow stock rotation and Quality release requirements, and coordinate urgent transfers to protect production and reduce waste.
• Check transport, handling and storage invoices against agreed rates and actual activity. Challenge discrepancies and seek approval for exceptional charges.
• Track demurrage, detention and other avoidable costs, recommend preventative actions and maintain accurate records for claims, audits and supplier reviews.
  
  

Experience we look for:

Essential

• Practical experience in import/export logistics, freight forwarding, shipping agency or port and terminal operations, including the coordination of international inbound shipments.
• Experience coordinating 3PL warehouses and hauliers, including transport bookings, collection and delivery slots, and resolving service failures.
• Working knowledge of import/export documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, bills of lading or sea waybills and relevant certificates; understanding of customs clearance, port releases, Incoterms, container free time, demurrage and detention.
• Understanding of temperature-controlled, time-sensitive products and the effect of delays or poor handling on quality, shelf life and waste.
• Confident Excel and data-management skills, including maintaining trackers, reconciling quantities and analysing logistics information; able to learn ERP or transport systems.
• Strong organisation, attention to detail and clear communication with overseas suppliers, service providers and internal teams.
• A proactive approach: anticipates problems, challenges incomplete information, follows actions through and presents workable options under pressure.
• Must have ability to get to site on own accord, bearing in mind these opportunities are structured around a 4 on 4 off shift pattern.
  
  

What can Westfalia Fruit offer you?

• Salary of between £30,000 and £35,000 per annum depending on experience
• Free on-site parking.
• Company pension scheme with life insurance cover.
• Employee Assistance Plan with Medicash.
• Christmas hampers & a Christmas party.
  

Please note that this position does not have a specific closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and the advert may be removed at any time.

We're an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, family or parental status, national origin, or veteran, neurodiversity or disability status.