Critical Path & Deliveries

• Manage purchase order due dates against a single inbound critical path.
• Chase suppliers and factories on ex-factory readiness and ship dates in conjunction with India QC and Merchandising team.
• Book deliveries into the Warehouse or 3PL and manage inbound scheduling to avoid congestion.
• Resolve goods-in discrepancies, shortages and damages with suppliers, carriers and the Warehouse.
• Coordinate the logistics of new supplier and first-order onboarding.

Logistics Partners & Cost Control

• Act as the day-to-day contact for freight forwarders, carriers, brokers and the Warehouse.
• Tender and review freight rates and monitor partner performance against agreed service levels.
• Own the inbound freight budget, report freight spends against it, and agree accruals with Finance.
• Check and reconcile freight and duty invoices against agreed quotes.
• Maintain marine cargo insurance and hold a basic contingency plan for disruption such as port congestion or delays.
• Maintain the landed cost model that feeds product cost prices, in conjunction with the Merchandising Team.

Systems & Reporting

• Maintain the container Trello boards and a single shipment tracker as the source of truth.
• Keep Brightpearl updated with expected arrival dates and goods receipt.
• Produce weekly inbound reporting on on-time delivery, freight spend, lead times and exceptions.
• Support duty, VAT and freight audits with accurate records.
• Report on freight carbon and identify mode or routing efficiencies.

Team & Cross-functional Working

• Work in conjunction with the Merchandisers, Assistant Merchandisers and Merchandise Assistants across the UK and USA.
• Collaborate with Product and Design, Finance, the Warehouse, QC India, Artee Shades, suppliers and other cross functional teams.
• Provide inbound visibility and escalate supply risks to the Merchandising Manager.

The summary of main duties & responsibilities is not intended to be an exhaustive list of tasks performed. You may be required to undertake additional duties as are necessary to promote the smooth and efficient running of the business.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Support the KPI maintenance of Crown Jewels and Essentials always being 98% in stock and Core always 92% in stock, through on-time and in-full inbound delivery.
• Deliver purchase orders and containers on time and in full (OTIF) into the warehouse to an agreed target (for example 95% on time, 98% in full).
• Keep avoidable demurrage and detention charges at zero, and total inbound freight spend within budget.
• Achieve 100% accurate and compliant customs declarations and shipping documentation, with no compliance breaches.
• Maintain landed cost within an agreed tolerance of forecast, and container fill at or above the agreed target.
• Meet agreed inbound lead times and transit times by mode and route.

Skills

• Preferable experience gained in a fast-paced retail, import or freight environment, ideally within Homewares or Interiors.
• Working knowledge of international freight (air and sea), customs clearance and import documentation for the UK and, ideally, the USA.
• Understanding of commodity and tariff codes, duty, import VAT and Incoterms.
• Strong data analysis and reporting skills.
• Ability and confidence to build relationships across all levels of the business and with external partners.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
• Excellent IT skills, proficient in Microsoft Office and Excel, ideally with experience of a purchase order management or inventory system (for example Brightpearl and Inventory Planner).
• Commercially focused with high attention to detail.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines.
• Willingness to learn, own, and develop the role.