International Trade Administrator

Inspire Resourcing is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented International Trade Administrator to join a well-established specialist manufacturing business on a permanent, fully onsite basis. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised professional who takes pride in their work, values accuracy and enjoys building strong working relationships while contributing to the smooth running of supply chain operations. The successful candidate will be responsible for preparing and processing customs entries, managing import and export documentation, coordinating shipments and deliveries, and liaising with freight forwarders, transport providers and internal teams. They will ensure documentation is accurate, deadlines are met and customs procedures are followed, while proactively resolving discrepancies and supporting efficient day-to-day operations. We are looking for someone with a proactive attitude, strong communication skills and a commitment to delivering a reliable, high-quality service. The ideal candidate will be a team player who demonstrates initiative, attention to detail and a willingness to learn and develop within the role. Previous experience in customs entries, import/export administration or supply chain operations would be advantageous. The position offers a salary of £28,000–£32,000 per annum and the security of permanent employment within a supportive manufacturing environment. Inspire Resourcing welcomes candidates who are keen to make a positive contribution, develop their skills and build a long-term career.

Key Responsibilities

• Review all pre-shipment documentation for accuracy regarding valuation, origin, description, and quantity.
• Correctly classify incoming products using the appropriate Harmonised System (HS) commodity codes and Tariff headings.
• Instruct and manage customs clearance brokers, ensuring the correct Customs Procedure Codes (CPC) are utilised.
• Maintain a secure, compliant audit trail of all customs records, certificates of origin, and import licenses in accordance with statutory tax regulations.
• Track the status of all open international purchase orders, identifying and flagging potential bottleneck risks before they impact inventory levels.
• Partner with freight forwarders to optimise shipping routes, coordinate consolidation bookings, and monitor transport milestones (Vessel ETAs, Port Arrivals, Haulage schedules).
• Allocate, adjust, and update Purchase Orders (POs) inside the ERP system based on real-time supplier schedules.
• Coordinate with the Receiving/Warehouse team to plan intake schedules, ensuring they have advance copies of packing lists to streamline delivery
• Investigate and document supply chain discrepancies, such as short-shipments, transit damages, or incorrect pricing, and create resolution workflows with suppliers.
• Own data integrity for logistics fields within the ERP system, updating PO’s with correct weights, dimensions, origins, and tariff codes.
• Generate weekly Supply Chain KPIs, highlighting transit lead times, freight expenditure variances, and freight forwarder performance.
• Reconcile freight forwarder and customs broker invoices against agreed quotes before submitting approved paperwork to the Finance department.
• Lodge customs entry forms to clear goods from our bonded warehouse into our free circulation warehouse
• Work with purchasing to manage tariff costs and redirect freight as required
• Control warehouse stocks, ensuring accuracy of entries and paperwork
• PI count of stocks
• Any ad-hoc requirements to support the business

Requirements

• Essential: Proven experience in a global supply chain environment or direct experience in an import administration role
• Essential: Understanding of end-to-end supply chain activities, including inventory management
• Desirable: A formal qualification or certification in International Trade, Logistics, or Customs Compliance (e.g., UK Customs Academy, BIFA, or equivalent).
• Desirable: Strong understanding of HS Tariff Classification, Incoterms 2020, and Import Documentation. | Experience navigating direct customs entry software or managing duty deferment accounts.
• Numerical & Analytical: Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret data, sales metrics, and market trends to forecast future needs.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with suppliers, vendors, and internal teams.
• IT Literacy: Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly advanced Excel skills for data manipulation and reporting.
• Time Management: Highly organized, with the ability to prioritize work and meet strict deadlines.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive, with the ability to manage supply chain disruptions and solve problems effectively.
• Integrity: High degree of honesty, as handling confidential and financial data is required.
• Resilience: Ability to remain calm and focused under pressure.
• Adaptability: Flexible and able to handle multiple tasks or changing priorities.
• Travel: Minimal travel required

Skills

Required Skills Engineering drawing interpretation Mechanical measurement Vernier calipers and micrometers Manufacturing engineering Production support Quality inspection Non-conformance reporting Root cause analysis Technical documentation Health and safety compliance Nice to Have Copper alloys and non-ferrous metals CNC machining Foundry or metal casting processes ISO 9001 quality management systems 5S and lean manufacturing AutoCAD or CAD drawing systems We also have vacancies for administrators, drivers, accountants, FLT drivers, welders, warehouse, IT, sales, CNC machinists, electricians, buyers and marketing staff