Import Co-ordinator

PG Building Glass is Southern Africa’s leading distributor of float, mirror and PG SmartGlass® products. Solutions supplied include glass that keeps out intruders, sound, heat, ultraviolet light and cold as well as glass that comes in a wide range of decorative finishes, colours, patterns, and images.

Main Job Purpose

The Import Coordinator plays a pivotal role in maintaining the flow of global materials, raw glass, and architectural hardware into South Africa to support processing plants and customer distribution pipelines. The successful candidate will oversee end-to-end import operations, manage international supplier communications, coordinate with clearing and forwarding agents, and ensure efficient inbound logistics to organisation plants.

Main Objectives

Supplier Management & Procurement

• Price & Term Negotiation: Negotiate competitive pricing, shipping terms, and supply agreements with international glass manufacturers and vendor partners.
• Forecast Sharing: Timely transmit accurate demand forecasts—originated by the Planning Department—to key suppliers to secure global production capacity and lead times.
• Shipping Documentation: Request, obtain, audit, and verify all required shipping documentation from overseas suppliers (e.g., Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, Bills of Lading / Airway Bills, Certificates of Origin, Quality / Test Certificates).

Order Processing & Progress Tracking

• Order Execution: Place purchase orders accurately with suppliers/customers according to internal MRP/ERP schedules and organizational requirements.
• Tracking & Communication: Monitor production timelines and shipment transit milestones, keeping internal stakeholders and customers updated on order status and potential delays.

Customs, Freight & Clearing

• Clearing Agent Management: Act as the main operational contact for appointed Clearing & Forwarding agents to oversee customs entries, port clearance, and tariff code classifications.
• Customs Compliance: Ensure full adherence to SARS Customs regulations, import permits, duty payments, and international trade laws.

Inbound Logistics & Plant Coordination

• Factory Liaison: Communicate regularly with factory managers and plant receiving teams across PG Building Glass facilities regarding incoming delivery schedules.
• Delivery Scheduling: Coordinate inland transport and container offloading with freight forwarders and hauliers to deliver directly to relevant processing plants, avoiding staging delays or port demurrage penalties.

Critical Job Requirements

Qualification (s)

• Grade 12
• Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, International Trade, or Transport Economics.
• Certification in Customs Compliance or Incoterms (2020) is highly advantageous.

Skills

• Industry Context: Experience within manufacturing, building materials, glass, or industrial heavy goods supply chains is preferred.
• Systems Proficiency: Working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Syspro, Oracle) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Negotiation & Communication: Exceptional cross-border negotiation skills and clear communication across internal plant operations and external supply partners.
• Problem-Solving & Agility: Strong proactive problem-solving ability to navigate port delays, shipping holds, or supply chain bottlenecks.

Experience

• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in end-to-end import coordination, containerized freight, and international logistics.
• Proven track record in supplier negotiation and international vendor management.
• Direct experience liaising with South African clearing and forwarding agents, SARS Customs, and port logistics facilities.

PG Group, and its subsidiaries, are committed to the principles of employment equity and as such are equal opportunity employers.  Qualified applicants who apply for any vacancies will be considered with due consideration based on of fairness and equity. Factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or disability are not consider exclusively and are not determinative of any appointments made by PG Group or its subsidiaries.

Requisition ID: 3353