Ocean Road Freight Controller

About the role

Career Directions Limited (CDL) is hiring a full-time Ocean Road Freight Controller in Nairobi. The role builds and maintains client relationships by providing prompt, accurate service, ensuring fast and accurate shipment processing and coordinating with other departments on client requests.

Key responsibilities

• Forwarding: receive handovers from the Pricing team or clients, open files and obtain shipment numbers, coordinate inspections with KEBS-approved bodies such as SGS and Intertek, follow up on draft COCs, arrange collections and bookings, share pre-alerts, confirm insurance, handle customs entries and invoices, and close files for billing.
• Clearance only: verify whether cargo is PVOC exempted or has a COC, check documents, invoice, packing list and COC, follow up on arrival and release, and process billing.
• Forwarding and handover: connect suppliers and agents, follow up on readiness, payments (including COD arrangements) and manifests, and hand over documents once paid.
• Road transport: confirm cargo origin, check documentation, inspect non-member-state cargo, and hand over to declaration and operations teams; close files and forward them to finance and billing.
• Transhipments and transit cargo: confirm bond availability, document uplift, follow up manifests and close files for billing.
• Client updates: give daily shipment progress updates by email, call, SMS and WhatsApp, reply to client and agent enquiries, escalate unresolved issues to the Customer Service Manager, and coordinate delivery schedules.

Required profile

• 3-5 years of experience in a similar role.
• Diploma in Supply Chain & Logistics, Maritime studies, Clearing & Forwarding or a related field; a degree in Business Administration, Communication or a similar field is an added advantage.
• Customs procedures certificate for freight logistics and management.
• Experience with customer service operations in a clearing and forwarding company.

Required skills

• Experience with Cargo Wise / Transport Management systems.
• Team player with excellent written and oral communication, problem-solving, organisational and analytical skills.
• Attention to detail, good interpersonal skills, time management and MS Office proficiency.