Freight Forwarding Operations & Customer Service Coordinator
The role
This is a hands-on operations role at a busy freight forwarding branch. You'll look after customer shipments from start to finish. You'll keep clients informed and support the wider team every day. You'll report to the Branch or Operations Manager. Strong service and teamwork matter here. The pace is fast, so you'll need to stay organised.
What you'll do
- Manage shipment files from booking to invoicing, keeping records accurate and up to date
- Handle import and export movements by air, sea and road, plus domestic freight
- Track flights and vessels, and update customers quickly if anything is delayed
- Act as the link between customers, carriers and suppliers to keep deliveries on schedule
- Work with overseas partners to follow shipments through and keep customers updated
- Check shipment reports for accuracy before they go to clients
- Arrange collections and deliveries
- Prepare customs entries in line with HMRC rules, including collecting duty and VAT and managing the deferment account
- Raise customer invoices and check every job makes a profit
- Work on your own initiative without close supervision
- Support the team with other reasonable tasks when needed
What you'll bring
- At least two years' recent hands-on experience in freight forwarding
- Five GCSEs or equivalent
- Confidence speaking with customers every day
- A track record of meeting deadlines
- Flexibility, including occasional work outside normal hours
- Good IT skills, especially Word and Excel
- Experience with a freight forwarding operating system (helpful but not essential)
- Strong time management and a sharp eye for detail
- Clear, professional communication by phone and in writing, at every level