Senior Sea & Air Freight Coordinator / Team Leader in Portsmouth

JOB PURPOSE
Development and day to day management of the Sea and Air Freight services; to effect the relay of information between customers and subcontractors, ensuring accurate and profitable operation of the Sea and Air department. In addition to your role within the team your key purpose, as Team Leader, is to manage the team on a day-to-day basis by providing direction, guidance and leadership whilst monitoring attendance and performance. Lead by example by upholding, communicating, and promoting Company Goals and Values at all times.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create an inspiring team environment that empowers all to develop and grow.
• Be first point of contact for your team, fostering open communication.
• Delegate tasks and set deadlines.
• Manage team attendance, conduct return to work interviews and ensure sick certificates are submitted in good time.
• Maintain / develop good working relationships with existing and new customers.
• Arrange export and import movements via sea and air freight (FCL, LCL and cross-trade).
• Liaise with overseas partners, shipping lines, hauliers and agents to ensure all transportation details are correct and all parties are kept informed throughout transit and ensure they are advised of any delays or changes in schedules.
• Issue detailed instructions to carriers/agents, ensuring they have all the necessary documentation and information to follow the correct customs process for export / import formalities.
• Manage/oversee orders from customers from quotation and/or receipt of bookings through to supply of POD.
• Check all jobs for accuracy.
• Negotiate rates with carriers/agents and customers to secure the booking.
• Process and check all required paperwork such as bill of lading, air waybill, invoices etc.
• Daily contact with all subcontractors to gather status updates for all loads in transit including ETA’s and update the transport software accordingly ensuring all collections and deliveries are on schedule.
• Create / Update Orders and Business Partners on the transport software as required.
• Help maintain the team mailboxes.
• Take appropriate action to rectify any problems and keep customers informed of any resultant delays.
• In the event of an incident possibly leading to an insurance claim you must add all necessary details onto the transport software and forward details to the claims’ email.

QUALIFICATIONS AND / OR EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Transport, with at least 3 years’ experience in sea and/or air freight.
• Previous experience with sea and air import and export documentation such as bills of lading, airway bills, certificates of origin, etc.
• Minimum of 3 GCSE’s at C and above, including English and Mathematics or equivalent.
• Experienced in Microsoft Office including Excel, Outlook and Word.
• Good written and spoken English.
• A positive and proactive attitude.

DESIRABLE

• Level 4 / Degree qualification in transport and/or logistics.
• Previous Senior / Team Leader or equivalent experience.
• A second language.
• Compliance with global customs regulations related to documentation.

We ask that all candidates have a maximum commute time of approximately 30 minutes or less.

Job Type: Full-time, Monday to Friday

Benefits:

• Bonus Scheme
• Company Pension
• Life Insurance
• Private Medical Insurance
• Sick Pay
• Hybrid Working
• Company Events

We offer a hybrid working model; however, we kindly ask all new team members to work from the office full-time during the first three months of their probationary period. This approach helps lay a strong foundation for success by fostering deeper integration within the team and the wider company. It also ensures direct access to training, support, and collaboration during the crucial onboarding phase.