Sotheby's Shipping Associate

About Sotheby's

Sotheby’s is an auction house founded in London in 1744. Its specialists work across fine art and collecting categories including jewelry, watches, handbags, wine, design, and classic cars. The house connects collectors through live and online auctions, private sales, and fixed-price purchases. Its work spans specialist research and cataloging, client services, marketing, technology, finance, and operations, supporting the preparation, sale, and movement of objects across its international network.

Role & Responsibilities

• Respond to shipping payment inquiries promptly and professionally.
• Reconcile differences with shipping agents and Shipping Coordinators, and meet payment deadlines.
• Serve as a contact for shipping vendors regarding Accounts Payable queries.
• Prepare regular and ad hoc management reports as requested.
• Reconcile shipper accounts, ensuring invoices have been received and processed.
• Investigate discrepancies between vendor quotes, parked purchase orders in SAP, and vendor invoices.
• Oversee procurement for Travelling Exhibitions, including parking vendor costs and recording regional expenditure.
• Work with Finance to reconcile billing discrepancies and system variances relating to shipping quotes and customs.
• During the semi-annual peak season, support the maintenance of TravEx and Expertise shipments.
• During the semi-annual peak season, support the preparation of customs declarations and licence applications.
• During the semi-annual peak season, support shipping coordination, including preparing internal packing requests, pre-alerts and air freight invoices, and tracking international shipments.
• Maintain Shipping department records.
• Undertake additional ad hoc projects as directed by the manager.
• Provide administrative support to Sotheby's Shipping Departments, manage procurement workflows and contribute to refining shipping processes.
• Maintain vendor accounts for the EMEA and APAC regions in accordance with contractual terms and agreements.
• During peak season, support the organization of Travelling Exhibitions and Expertise shipping.

Qualifications

• BA degree.
• 1–2 years of administrative or procurement experience, with basic knowledge of international and domestic shipping logistics.
• A degree or relevant experience in Finance, Business, Operations and Logistics, IT, and/or Engineering is highly desirable.
• High proficiency and prior experience with ERP/CRM systems, particularly SAP.
• Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to set priorities proactively and meet deadlines.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• High standards of confidentiality, discretion and work ethic.
• Excellent client service skills, including active listening, empathy, service orientation and patience.
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining a welcoming disposition, both independently and in partnership with colleagues.
• Proficiency in Google Workplace and Microsoft Office Suite, and the ability to learn internal systems quickly.

Skills

Experience

1–2 years of administrative or procurement experience

Education

BA degree; a degree or relevant experience in Finance, Business, Operations and Logistics, IT, and/or Engineering is highly desirable.

Culture

Sotheby’s describes its culture in terms of client service, specialist knowledge, curiosity, collaboration, and ethical conduct. Its careers materials emphasize working across disciplines and encouraging employees to explore internal opportunities.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.