Description

True North Consults is hiring a Clearing and Forwarding Manager responsible for overseeing all customs clearance and forwarding operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, and managing efficient movement of goods, particularly petroleum products, across borders.

The position will provide leadership to the clearing and forwarding team while ensuring timely, accurate, and cost-effective service delivery.

Reports Line:

Operations Manager / Country Manager

Direct Reports:

Customs Declaration Officers, Clearing Clerks, Documentation Officers

Location:

Uganda

Grade/Level:

Management

Key Responsibilities

1. Operations Management

• Oversee end-to-end clearing and forwarding operations for imports and exports.
• Ensure timely processing of all consignments to avoid delays, demurrage, or penalties.
• Monitor workflow and allocate tasks to ensure efficiency and productivity within the team.
• Coordinate transportation and delivery of cleared goods to final destinations.

2. Customs Compliance & Regulatory Oversight

• Ensure all customs declarations comply with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Oversee correct tariff classification, valuation, and duty computation.
• Maintain compliance with petroleum industry regulations and other government agencies.
• Keep abreast of changes in customs laws, tariffs, and trade agreements and implement necessary adjustments.

3. Team Leadership & Supervision

• Lead, supervise, and mentor the clearing and forwarding team.
• Set performance targets and monitor team productivity and accuracy.
• Provide training and continuous development to enhance team capability.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies and operational standards.

4. Client Relationship Management

• Act as the main point of contact for key clients on clearing and forwarding matters.
• Address client queries, resolve issues, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Provide advisory services on customs regulations, documentation, and compliance requirements.

5. Documentation & Process Control

• Oversee preparation and verification of all shipping and customs documentation.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of documents such as invoices, bills of lading, certificates, and permits.
• Implement and maintain efficient documentation and record-keeping systems for audit purposes.

6. Risk Management & Problem Resolution

• Identify operational and compliance risks and implement mitigation measures.
• Handle complex customs issues, disputes, and audits.
• Liaise with customs authorities and other regulatory bodies to resolve clearance challenges.

7. Financial & Cost Control

• Monitor and control operational costs related to clearing and forwarding activities.
• Ensure accurate billing, duty payments, and reconciliation of accounts.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising service quality.

8. Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with customs authorities, port officials, shipping lines, transporters, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure smooth coordination between internal departments and external partners.

Person Specification

Education, Skills & Experience

Qualification

• Bachelor’s Degree in Clearing & Forwarding, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 5–8 years’ experience in clearing and forwarding operations, with at least 2–3 years in a supervisory/managerial role.
• Strong knowledge of customs regulations, HS codes, tariffs, and trade compliance requirements.
• Experience in petroleum and oil & gas logistics is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in ASYCUDA and other customs clearance systems.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple operations simultaneously.

• Oversee end-to-end clearing and forwarding operations for imports and exports.
• Ensure timely processing of all consignments to avoid delays, demurrage, or penalties.
• Monitor workflow and allocate tasks to ensure efficiency and productivity within the team.
• Coordinate transportation and delivery of cleared goods to final destinations.
• Ensure all customs declarations comply with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Oversee correct tariff classification, valuation, and duty computation.
• Maintain compliance with petroleum industry regulations and other government agencies.
• Keep abreast of changes in customs laws, tariffs, and trade agreements and implement necessary adjustments.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor the clearing and forwarding team.
• Set performance targets and monitor team productivity and accuracy.
• Provide training and continuous development to enhance team capability.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies and operational standards.
• Act as the main point of contact for key clients on clearing and forwarding matters.
• Address client queries, resolve issues, and ensure high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Provide advisory services on customs regulations, documentation, and compliance requirements.
• Oversee preparation and verification of all shipping and customs documentation.
• Ensure accuracy and completeness of documents such as invoices, bills of lading, certificates, and permits.
• Implement and maintain efficient documentation and record-keeping systems for audit purposes.
• Identify operational and compliance risks and implement mitigation measures.
• Handle complex customs issues, disputes, and audits.
• Liaise with customs authorities and other regulatory bodies to resolve clearance challenges.
• Monitor and control operational costs related to clearing and forwarding activities.
• Ensure accurate billing, duty payments, and reconciliation of accounts.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising service quality.
• Liaise with customs authorities, port officials, shipping lines, transporters, and other stakeholders.
• Ensure smooth coordination between internal departments and external partners.

• Strong knowledge of customs regulations, HS codes, tariffs, and trade compliance requirements.
• Experience in petroleum and oil & gas logistics is highly preferred.
• Proficiency in ASYCUDA and other customs clearance systems.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple operations simultaneously.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Clearing & Forwarding, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.