Shipping Officer
On this page
- What's it like to be a Shipping Officer?
- How to become a Shipping Officer
- Latest Shipping Officer jobs
- Top skills and experience for Shipping Officers
What's it like to be a Shipping Officer?
A Shipping Officer is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the movements of goods and materials in and out of a company. This role is also commonly found within the area of logistics management where a Shipping Officer oversees a supply chain. Shipping Officers arrange the transport and track shipments, ensuring that orders have been filled correctly, products are correctly packaged and labelled, and are then dispatched and delivered on time to the correct recipient. They often work either for freight forwarding companies, shipping lines, or in the logistics and distribution sectors of large manufacturing or retail giants. The role requires both good organisational and communication skills, to negotiate and communicate with carriers, suppliers and customers, as well as pertinent problem-solving abilities for dealing with potential shipping issues or discrepancies.
Tasks and duties
- Coordinating and overseeing incoming and outgoing shipping activities to ensure accuracy, completeness and condition of shipments.
- Tracking, tracing and updating the status of outgoing and incoming shipments.
- Inspecting and counting items received and checking them against invoices or other documents, recording any discrepancies.
- Maintaining all necessary records of shipping activities, documenting departures, arrivals and necessary maintenance.
- Collaborating with other departments to integrate logistics operations with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management or accounting.
- Adhering to all relevant legal, safety and policy procedures surrounding shipping and receiving.
- Handling and resolving any issues with delayed shipments, lost or damaged items and customer complaints.
How to become a Shipping Officer
- Obtain a diploma or its equivalent, preferably in a relevant field such as Logistics or Business Administration.
- While prior experience in shipping or freight is preferred, it's not always necessary. However, having some knowledge of the shipping industry can be advantageous.
- Cultivate skills such as attention to detail, organisation, and proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. These skills are essential for effectively managing shipping operations and handling administrative tasks.
- Show enthusiasm for the maritime industry and a willingness to learn. You will often encounter diverse challenges and situations, so being a fast learner with excellent problem-solving skills is invaluable.
