Clearing & Forwarding Manager

About the role

A client of Shugulika Africa Limited, a long-established clearing and forwarding company with over 30 years of experience, is looking for a Clearing & Forwarding Manager to oversee end-to-end import and export shipment operations. The role ensures timely clearance and delivery of cargo, maintains good relations with customs and regulatory authorities and leads a team to keep operations efficient and clients satisfied.

Key responsibilities

• Oversee the entire clearing process for import and export shipments, ensuring compliance with regulations and deadlines.
• Maintain expert knowledge of customs processes and government systems, including proficiency in TANCIS.
• Lead, supervise and evaluate the clearing team, including import/export clerks, yard staff and port operators.
• Supervise daily cargo handling such as offloading, loading, de-stuffing, re-stuffing and onward transportation coordination.
• Build relationships with transporters, shipping lines and port authorities.
• Monitor departmental costs (third-party services, staff, overheads) and recommend cost-saving measures.
• Keep the Head of Operations and General Manager informed and propose process improvements.
• Troubleshoot issues in real time by communicating directly with counterparties by phone, WhatsApp and email.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years' experience in import/export clearing and forwarding.
• Bachelor's degree in logistics, business, finance or a related field; a formal qualification in customs or logistics is an advantage.
• Strong leadership and team management experience.
• Excellent English and Kiswahili; Hindi or Gujarati is an added advantage.
• Detail-oriented, analytical and entrepreneurial, able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Required skills

• Familiarity with ERP systems and MS Office, especially Excel and Outlook.
• Customs procedures and documentation knowledge.