Shipping Manager

Role overview

Shipping operations

• Oversee import/export operations, customs documentation, clearance, and compliance across local, Free Zone, and GCC borders.
• Coordinate cargo booking, delivery, and accurate documentation with freight forwarders, clearing agents, and internal teams.
• Improve shipping and clearance procedures to minimize delays and costs; resolve shipment and clearance issues.
• Manage customs declarations in Dubai Trade (Mirsal II) and other relevant systems.

Documentation and compliance

• Oversee commercial, customs, and regulatory documents, including Bills of Entry, declaration certificates, Certificates of Origin, inspection documents, VAT files, and product registrations.
• Maintain current knowledge of customs regulations, import/export laws, and VAT procedures across the UAE and GCC.
• Monitor compliance with internal policies and external regulations.

Team, records, and reporting

• Lead the shipping documentation team through task assignment, training, and performance monitoring.
• Coordinate with warehouse, sales, and inventory teams and liaise with authorities and service providers.
• Maintain centralized electronic and physical document records, accurate filing, and regular document audits.
• Prepare shipping, clearance, processing-time, cost, statistical, and trend reports with process recommendations.

Trade, process, and vendors

• Maintain relationships with customs officers, port authorities, and trade regulators; track changes to policies, documentation, and trade agreements.
• Manage Makasa Stamping for cross-border transactions between Jebel Ali Free Zone, RAK Free Zone, and GCC countries.
• Improve workflows, cost controls, and delivery timelines; identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.
• Explore automation for document preparation, tracking, and reporting; manage freight, customs-broker, and courier contracts and services.
• Oversee courier shipment arrangements, tracking, document preparation, and pickup scheduling.

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Logistics, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of shipping, import/export documentation, customs-clearance, and trade-compliance experience.
• FMCG or consumer electronics experience is preferred.
• Leadership and team management skills, including documentation-team supervision.
• Excellent knowledge of Dubai Trade (Mirsal II) and Free Zone portals; in-depth knowledge of customs regulations, GCC trade agreements, VAT, and BOE procedures.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and negotiation skills; proficiency in Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• A valid UAE driving license is an advantage; ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Multi-branch, multi-country GCC shipping experience and trade-document archiving and compliance reporting are preferred.

Location and travel

• Location is Dubai, with occasional travel to other GCC countries if required.
• Work location is in person.