Assistant Manager Supply Chain (Imports)

This role involves managing the end-to-end import process for medical imaging equipment and related supplies, ensuring timely delivery aligned with project schedules. The position requires close coordination with OEMs, principals, clearing agents, freight forwarders, banks, and regulatory bodies to facilitate smooth customs clearance, financial transactions, and compliance with Pakistan’s import regulations. The successful candidate will oversee shipment planning, vendor negotiations, documentation accuracy, and regulatory approvals, while maintaining cost control and minimizing delays.

Key Responsibilities

Import Planning and Procurement Coordination: Coordinate order confirmations, shipping schedules, and documentation with OEMs and principals. Plan shipments according to project timelines, maintaining a live import tracker. Select appropriate import methods and Incoterms to balance cost, time, and risk.

Customs Classification and Clearance: Determine and verify HS/PCT codes for medical equipment and accessories. Apply correct duties and taxes, prepare and file Goods Declarations via WeBOC/Pakistan Single Window, and manage assessment queries and provisional releases. Supervise clearing agents and freight forwarders, handling temporary imports, re-exports, bonded shipments, and warranty replacements.

Clearing Agent and Freight Forwarder Management: Maintain an approved panel of vetted clearing agents and freight forwarders. Obtain and benchmark detailed quotations, negotiate rates, service levels, and liability coverage. Verify invoices against official receipts and ensure compliance with customs declarations. Score vendors quarterly and decide shipment handling strategies based on cost and risk.

Banking, LC, and Financial Instrument Liaison: Work with banks to open, amend, and close Letters of Credit and obtain required Financial Instruments. Review LC terms against contracts, resolve discrepancies, handle document retirement, payment remittance, and coordinate bank charges and forex limits. Reconcile records and inform Finance of payment obligations.

Guarantees, Amendments, and Payment Planning: Manage LC amendments and validity extensions, coordinate guarantees with banks and Finance, plan remittances for USD contracts, and align payment milestones with documentary conditions such as regulatory clearances.

Regulatory Compliance: Ensure compliance with DRAP medical device import requirements and coordinate PNRA authorizations for radiation-emitting equipment. Maintain audit-ready shipment files including declarations, financial documents, and delivery proofs.

NOC Tracking and Escalation: Track DRAP and Pakistan Single Window NOC applications, follow up on pending queries, escalate delays with relevant authorities, and provide lead-time data to Sales and Tendering teams.

Logistics, Inventory, and Cost Control: Monitor ports and shipping lines to avoid demurrage and detention charges. Arrange insured inland transport to hospital sites, manage spare parts and consumables inventory, and handle insurance claims for cargo damage.

Project and Site Synchronization: Coordinate shipment timing with site readiness, manage storage for sensitive equipment, consolidate third-party items with main shipments, and monitor delivery dates and liquidated damages exposure.

Service-Critical Spares: Implement fast-track processes for urgent spares to maintain service uptime, and manage defective-part returns and warranty replacements.

Reporting: Provide weekly import status and monthly cost summaries to management. Highlight regulatory or duty changes affecting projects.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Commerce, or related field. A Master’s degree or recognized supply chain/customs certification is advantageous.

Technical Knowledge: Strong command of Pakistan customs procedures including HS/PCT classification, valuation, duty and tax computation, SRO exemptions, and WeBOC/Pakistan Single Window filing. Knowledge of import methods, Incoterms, and handling high-value fragile equipment. Experience with commercial banks on LC and Financial Instrument processing. Familiarity with DRAP medical device import rules and PNRA clearance is highly desirable. Proficiency in MS Excel and MS Office; ERP or CRM experience preferred.

Vendor Management and Negotiation: Proven ability to negotiate rates, service levels, and hold vendors accountable. Skilled in invoice verification and escalating regulatory approval delays professionally.

Preferred Qualifications and Benefits

Existing relationships with Karachi clearing agents, shipping lines, and port/customs staff are preferred. Experience in medical imaging, diagnostics, or regulated equipment imports is an advantage.

Core Competencies: Attention to detail, compliance focus, negotiation skills, planning and prioritization, clear communication in English and Urdu, integrity, and ownership of outcomes.

Working Conditions: Office-based in Karachi with frequent visits to ports, customs, and banks. Occasional travel to hospital sites. Standard working hours with flexibility during critical shipment periods. Compensation and benefits aligned with company grade structure.