Shipping Manager UK

This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.

About the Bonhams Network

Founded in 1793, Bonhams is a global network of auction houses, with the largest number of international salerooms, offering the widest range of collecting categories and selling at all price points. Bonhams is recognised for its bespoke service, and a dedication to local market relationships, enhanced by a global platform. With 14 salerooms, Bonhams presents over 1,000 sales annually, across more than 60 specialist categories, including fine art, collectables, luxury, wine & spirits, and collector cars. In 2022, Bonhams added four international auction houses to its network: Bukowskis, Stockholm; Bruun Rasmussen, Copenhagen; Cornette de Saint Cyr, Paris and Brussels; and Skinner, Massachusetts. The success of Bonhams' global strategy is a result of recognising the shift in growing intercontinental buying and increased digital engagement.

About the Role

The Shipping Manager will provide support to the London Team to support the safe, timely and cost-effective movement of fine art property pre- and post-sale. They will help manage relevant paperwork, export licences, CITES permits and other documents for import and export, working closely with the Specialist Departments, Finance, UKVAT and Legal departments to ensure Bonhams are operating in an organised and compliant manner in relation to all areas of shipping. They will work with 3rd party shippers, managing their performance, ensuring their compliance, and cost efficiency, and provide advice and support to internal teams where required.

In your role as Shipping Manager you will be required to carry out the following:

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide daily management / administration of import notifications from 3PLs & internal teams
• Assist in maintaining Bonhams import and export databases and ensure continuous standards are maintained
• Work to ensure Bonhams are always compliant and audit ready
• Provide detailed TA import instructions and maintain TA compliant records, working closely with UKVAT
• Provide a source of import/export information and advice to Specialist Departments, Legal and Finance teams
• Obtain copies, track and manage import entries for Bonhams, working closely with UKVAT
• Match import shipments against A3 contracts and add import entry details, working closely with UKVAT
• Obtain export licences, carnets and CITES permits for import and exports shipments
• Support property movement for touring and special exhibitions
• Manage consolidated shipments between key Bonhams hubs
• Partner with other regional shipping teams and Departments to support property movement
• Provide quotes for internal and pre- or post-sales shipping, alongside co-ordination with 3PLs
• Check costs and authorise 3PL invoices on eBis
• Review and drive down shipping costs

In addition to the tasks and responsibilities listed, you may be required to perform other duties as assigned by your Manager.

Key Skills and Experience

• Ideally you will be educated to degree standard, or you will have experience working in a customer focused role within the art, auction or shipping industries
• Fluent in English (other languages would be helpful)
• eCustomer experience preferred
• Have excellent communication skills both written and verbal and will be able to present information in a clear and concise manner both in writing and on Teams
• You must have good reasoning skills and be able to analyse data and prepare reports
• Able to negotiate and influence across the organisation and with external stakeholders.
• You will be required to work with industry standard computer packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint
• Demonstrable experience in navigating organisational structures

What We Offer

Some of our benefits and perks include:

• 28 days holidays (including Bank Holidays), increasing to 33 with service
• Healthcare and Life Assurance
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season Ticket Loan

If you wish to apply, please send your CV and cover letter by the 3rd March 2026 at midnight.

We thank you for your interest in this position but please note that we will only contact candidates chosen for further consideration.

Bonhams is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As part of our commitment to fight for equality, we work to ensure a fair and consistent interview process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.