Poornima Balachandran
Summary
A highly qualified logistics professional holding dual master's degrees—an M.Sc. in International Transport, Trade, and Logistics from Liverpool John Moores University alongside a technical M.Sc. in Photonics. This background blends a sophisticated mastery of global supply chains, Incoterms 2020, and multimodal freight operations with the rigorous analytical precision and documentation accuracy of an advanced science discipline. Offers specialized expertise in maritime transport economics, vessel chartering structures, and carriage of goods law, complemented by hands-on experience handling high-volume export documentation, multi-modal tracking, and pricing requests. An analytical problem-solver skilled at navigating complex regulatory frameworks and optimizing routes for high-value or specialized cargo, poised to bring operational excellence and flawless compliance to a fast-paced commercial export freight-forwarding team.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Counter Clerk
Post Office
Edinburgh
09.2025 - Current
- Advised international commercial and retail customers on international shipping frameworks, restricted commodities, customs declaration mandates, and cross-border protocols.
- Provided training and support to new counter clerks as needed.
- Ensured compliance with postal regulations during service delivery.
- Delivered top quality customer service while managing multiple tasks.
- Performed opening and closing duties such as setting up registers with necessary supplies and balancing drawers accordingly.
- Maintained knowledge of current sales promotions and store policies regarding payments, returns, exchanges.
Counter Clerk
Post Office
Liverpool
05.2024 - 09.2025
- Executed high-volume, client-facing administrative and postal operations, consistently maintaining high accuracy under time-sensitive constraints.
- Advised international commercial and retail customers on international shipping frameworks, restricted commodities, customs declaration mandates, and cross-border protocols.
- Managed complex tracing networks via digital tracking applications to resolve shipping discrepancies, ensuring continuous visibility over client cargo.
- Completed daily cash handling, secure system auditing, and high-value financial banking reconciliations without discrepancies.
- Operated cash register to process customer transactions accurately and efficiently.
- Verified that all items purchased were rung up correctly on the register.
- Balanced cash drawer at end of shift to ensure accuracy of funds received.
Purchase Assistant
ABC Emporio
Kochi
11.2021 - 06.2023
- Coordinated everyday inbound cargo movements by closely collaborating with international suppliers, freight handlers, and haulage agencies.
- Evaluated freight quotations and initiated carrier pricing requests, negotiating favorable rates to secure optimal multi-modal shipping lines.
- Audited shipping manifests, packing lists, and purchasing invoices to verify strict adherence to international trade guidelines and corporate budgeting targets.
- Monitored the pipeline supply chain flow to anticipate and mitigate potential transit delays, improving inventory delivery timelines.
Export and Import Logistics Intern
George Forwarders and Kyaria Consultancy
Kochi
12.2020 - 01.2021
- Immersed directly in full-cycle freight forwarding operations, focusing heavily on import/export processing and multi-modal documentation.
- Coordinated logistics operations for efficient supply chain management.
- Prepared and validated essential maritime transport documentation including Bills of Lading, freight summaries, and customs declaration sheets.
- Liaised regularly with shipping lines and destination agents to monitor cross-border cargo status updates from port-of-loading to ultimate destination.
Education
M.Sc. - International Transport, Trade and Logistics
Liverpool John Moores University
UKDiploma in Logistics Management -
Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies
Kerala 12.2019 - 10.2020
Master's Degree - Photonics
International School of Photonics
India 07.2014 - 04.2019
Skills
- Maritime Operations & Chartering
- Knowledge of charterparties
- Fixtures
- Contracts of affreightment
- Ocean freight routing
- Maritime economic principles
- Legal & Trade Compliance
- Carriage of Goods Law
- International trade barriers
- Incoterms 2020
- International customs clearance metrics
- Freight Administration
- Preparation of Bills of Lading
- Certificates of Origin
- Commercial invoices
- End-to-end multi-modal shipment tracking
- Commercial Acumen
- Managing supplier negotiations
- Processing complex pricing requests
- Freight quotations
- Maintaining zero-variance financial reconciliations
Certification
Provisional UK Driving Licence, 08/01/25, 08/01/35 (Working towards full licence)
Core Skills
Knowledge of charterparties (Time/Voyage), fixtures, contracts of affreightment, ocean freight routing, and maritime economic principles., Sound understanding of Carriage of Goods Law, international trade barriers, Incoterms 2020, and international customs clearance metrics (CN22/23)., Preparation of Bills of Lading, Certificates of Origin, commercial invoices, and end-to-end multi-modal shipment tracking., Managing supplier negotiations, processing complex pricing requests, freight quotations, and maintaining zero-variance financial reconciliations.
Personal Information
Notice Period: 15 Days
Currently staying in Edinburgh but will be moving to Liverpool in July. Address in Edinburgh as follows: 19/2 Dalgety Road, Edinburgh, EH75UH.
Languages
English, Malayalam
First Language
Hindi
Proficient
C2
Arabic
Beginner
A1
German
Beginner
A1
Swedish
Beginner
A1
Timeline
Counter Clerk
Post Office
09.2025 - Current
Counter Clerk
Post Office
05.2024 - 09.2025
Purchase Assistant
ABC Emporio
11.2021 - 06.2023
Export and Import Logistics Intern
George Forwarders and Kyaria Consultancy
12.2020 - 01.2021
Diploma in Logistics Management -
Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies
12.2019 - 10.2020
Master's Degree - Photonics
International School of Photonics
07.2014 - 04.2019
M.Sc. - International Transport, Trade and Logistics
Liverpool John Moores University