Expeditor

Reference: JHB008162-YP-2

Job Overview

We are seeking a highly organised, analytical and proactive Expeditor to manage and coordinate the end-to-end international inbound supply chain process, from purchase order placement and supplier follow-ups through to shipment coordination, freight handover and final delivery to the warehouse.

The successful candidate will play an important role in maintaining product availability, ensuring on-time deliveries, managing supplier and freight forwarder relationships, monitoring stock requirements and controlling freight and landed costs. This position requires someone with a strong understanding of procurement, international logistics and supply chain processes, together with excellent Excel skills, ERP system experience and the ability to manage multiple orders and shipments simultaneously. Duties & Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

1. Purchase Order Management

• Review weekly re-order schedules and identify urgent requirements, exceptions and potential supply risks.

• Place accurate and timely purchase orders with international suppliers in line with approved requirements.

• Obtain written supplier order confirmations within 48 hours of purchase order placement.

• Verify part numbers, quantities, unit prices, agreed terms and expected goods-ready dates against purchase orders and ERP records.

• Investigate and resolve discrepancies between purchase orders and supplier confirmations.

2. International Shipment Coordination

• Create and maintain shipment documentation based on confirmed supplier commitments and goods-ready dates.

• Ensure all relevant purchase order lines, products and quantities are correctly allocated to shipment records.

• Follow up daily with international suppliers regarding production progress, order readiness and expected collection dates.

• Maintain accurate shipment information, including goods-ready dates, collection dates, estimated departures, arrivals and current shipment status.

• Obtain complete and accurate commercial and shipping documentation from suppliers.

• Coordinate shipment handovers to approved international freight forwarders once the necessary approvals have been obtained.

• Proactively identify and escalate shipment delays, documentation issues and risks that could affect product availability, costs or delivery commitments.

3. Stock Availability & Order Management

• Review surplus orders daily and identify orders where quantities exceed current demand.

• Engage suppliers to cancel or reduce surplus orders where possible.

• Update purchase orders and shipment documentation following approved order amendments.

• Escalate surplus orders that have already shipped or cannot be cancelled to the relevant Product Manager.

• Monitor current and potential future stock-outs and identify orders or shipments requiring urgent intervention.

• Coordinate additional orders or negotiate earlier supplier release and shipment dates where required.

• Record revised delivery dates, recovery actions and supplier commitments accurately.

• Communicate shipment delays and changes in expected delivery dates to internal stakeholders, particularly where these may affect monthly revenue.

4. Freight Management & Cost Control

• Present shipments expected to be ready for collection within the following seven days at weekly operational meetings.

• Obtain freight cost estimates from approved freight forwarders.

• Compare freight quotations against approved supplier freight cost parameters.

• Update shipment documentation with freight quotations and highlight material cost variances before commitments are made.

• Ensure freight costs remain within approved parameters and escalate exceptions for authorisation.

• Monitor air and sea freight costs and support effective cost management across international shipments.

5. Freight Forwarder & Supplier Management

• Prepare complete shipment handover packs for appointed freight forwarders once management approval has been obtained.

• Follow up daily with freight forwarders on active shipment progress and delivery timelines.

• Maintain accurate shipment status updates, exceptions and outstanding actions.

• Monitor freight forwarder service performance, including delivery timelines, documentation accuracy and recurring service issues.

• Conduct monthly KPI reviews with freight forwarders and drive corrective actions where necessary.

• Build and maintain professional relationships with international suppliers and logistics service providers.

• Drive supplier adherence to agreed production schedules, lead times and delivery commitments.

• Escalate recurring supplier performance issues with supporting information.

6. Landed Costing & Import Documentation

• Obtain complete import and freight documentation once goods have been received at the warehouse, or in advance where possible.

• Investigate discrepancies relating to over-supplies, short-supplies and supplier price variances.

• Liaise with international suppliers to resolve discrepancies and obtain credit notes or supporting documentation where necessary.

• Prepare detailed landed-cost calculations per product, supported by relevant supplier and freight documentation.

• Submit landed-cost calculations to the relevant Product Manager for review and approval.

• Forward approved costings and supporting documentation to Finance for processing.

7. Supplier & System Administration

• Maintain accurate supplier master data and ensure all changes are properly supported and processed in accordance with company procedures.

• Calculate estimated freight cost parameters per supplier on a monthly basis.

• Review significant freight cost changes with management and update approved parameters on the ERP system.

• Maintain complete and auditable records of supplier communications, freight forwarder correspondence, approvals, shipment changes and key decisions.

• Ensure purchase orders, shipment records and costing information are accurately maintained within the relevant business systems.

• Comply with internal procurement procedures and applicable approval authorities.

8. General Procurement Support

• Assist Product Managers and management with supplier negotiations and the sourcing of new products.

• Identify alternative suppliers and support initiatives aimed at improving supply chain efficiency.

• Maintain strong working relationships with internal departments, particularly Procurement, Product Management, Sales, Finance and Operations.

• Provide timely updates on shipment progress, delivery changes and potential supply risks.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives relating to procurement, supplier performance, freight management and operational controls.

Minimum Requirements

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Accounting or a related field.

• Previous experience in procurement, buying, expediting, logistics coordination or international supply chain operations.

• Exposure to international suppliers and freight forwarders is highly advantageous.

• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Strong general computer literacy and confidence working with ERP-based systems.

• Good understanding of purchase order management, supplier coordination and shipment administration.

• Strong numerical, analytical and administrative capabilities.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to manage multiple orders, shipments and deadlines simultaneously.

Advantageous Experience

• Experience managing international inbound shipments and import processes.

• Knowledge of international freight forwarding and import documentation.

• Experience working with landed costing and freight cost calculations.

• Exposure to air and sea freight coordination.

• Experience managing supplier and freight forwarder performance against agreed KPIs.

• Experience working within a product-based, distribution or trading