Sea & Air Freight Operator
Learn more about the general tasks related to this opportunity below, as well as required skills.
Full Time / Permanent / 08.30 17.30 Mon-Fri
Salary up to £32k negotiable depending on experience
Generous Company Pension scheme
Company Benefits (Health Cash Plan, Access to Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 support across a wide range of areas, team building events and much more!)
Member of Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) - Annual Bonus (Tax-Free) for Employees
Training & Development Opportunities
Hybrid contract upon successful completion of 6-month probation 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home.
Based in Burntwood (WS7)
Join the dynamic team at Espace, the UK's first ever 100% employee-owned freight forwarder, as one of our Sea & Air Freight Operators (in a team of 4), and play a valuable role in the growth of our Sea & Air Freight offering. As we set our sights on further developing these modes alongside our other multimodal services, we are in search of an individual who has dedicated a minimum of three years to these specialisms. The perfect candidate will boast demonstrable experience in both Sea & Air Freight forwarding, coupled with extensive business acumen and an energetic pace of work. If you have the dedication, expertise, and the passion to elevate our offering, Espace is eager to welcome your application.
We are offering a great opportunity to grow within a modern, forward-thinking business. Hence, we would like an upbeat, motivated, tenacious character looking for a career in freight.
A little bit about the company ... we are a non-asset owning freight forwarder with agency representation worldwide. Our people are our most valuable asset and we win business with our can -do approach, exceptional levels of customer service and trusted agency network. We specialise in general forwarding by road to within the UK, and all over Europe. Worldwide destinations by air and sea. In addition to this, we offer a UK customs brokerage service.
Main Purpose
To further develop our sea and air freight offering with existing and new customers and to increase business from existing, lapsed and recently gained clients as well. Offer our customers excellent customer service so that they come back to us time and time again with repeat and new business.
Responsible for the delivery of operational activities, in accordance with targets set, to contribute to achievement of the company vision and overall business objectives, reaching targets/KPIs set year on year. Consistently perform to high quality standards.
Overall Responsibility and targets
Your main responsibility will be the completion of important daily operation tasks predominantly for Sea & Air freight alongside quoting, negotiating and winning sea and air freight business amongst our existing customers
Operations
Organising the safe, efficient and cost-effective transportation of goods for Air and Sea imports and exports
Handling worldwide Air and Ocean import/export services on a start/finish basis
Handling import/export quotations
Maintaining and establishing good client relationships
Proactively liaising with customers, internal depts, overseas agents and shipping lines
Import/Export documentation
Taking bookings
Invoicing and keeping on top pf any general administration
Rate negotiations with carriers/suppliers.
Use of carrier portals and other relevant software to the dept.
Close monitoring of live shipments. Problem solving, high levels of customer service with both clients and carriers/suppliers and ensuring customer requirements are met.
Ensure effective use of our CRM on our new TMS.
To identify any new sales opportunities for existing customers and effectively present key features of our services (new and existing) to secure new business for other markets.
Quoting existing clients and supporting the Sales Team with any new business quotes
Logging quotes and pro-actively chasing them to convert to shipments.
Liaising with our customs dept to complete customs documentation for sea and air freight shipments.
Liaising with our UK team to arrange domestic haulage to and from ports
Close collaboration with our Sales, Customs and UK team.
Service Development
Helping to create a preferred list of Sea & Air carriers/suppliers Sea & Air Supplier by trade lanes.
Develop carrier/supplier relationships to ensure that we are getting the best rates and service.
Help to source new carriers/suppliers and form new partnerships.
Assist in marketing activity to promote the service by email, mailshot, calls. When time permits, making calls to our existing customers to see if they have any Sea or Air freight requirements but also cross sell for other depts (European Road, European Express, UK and Customs).
Visit existing clients to further develop and strengthen relationships.
The ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines whilst working effectively under your own initiative with a flexible adaptable approach.
Skills/Experience
Air and Ocean import/export experience gained within a freight forwarding environment (min 2-3 years)
A good knowledge of Air Freight and Ocean Freight Import/Export procedures and documentation
Good commercial acumen with strong negotiation skills in order to grow / develop existing customer base.
Have a fundamental knowledge of all incoterms.
An in-depth knowledge of shipping company/line destinations
Contacts within shipping lines and with agents abroad, add to our existing contacts
Good ongoing relationships with named people at shipping lines
Be fully conversant with all associated documentation and the various costs
Ability to train other members on the team in handling sea and air freight shipments and imparting relevant information / knowledge.
The ability to attract work easily, both LCL and FCL
Ability to set up procedures
Working for an Employee-Owned business requires its co-owners to be team players and think and act like owners. Taking ownership and accountability is key. Effective communication and organisational skills will be needed as will an ability to prioritise and manage high workloads at times.
Our Company values are PURE: Professionalism, Unity, Respectfulness and Enthusiasm.
If you feel you have what it takes to fulfil this role, please apply through this advert with your CV and a covering letter stating why you think we should invite you for an interview. Please also state your current salary and/or salary expectations. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ESPACE DIRECTLY AS WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE PASSED ON.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday 10 th March 2025
(APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AS THEY COME IN)
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
TPBN1_UKTJ