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- Tasks: Lead airfreight operations and ensure smooth execution for critical accounts.
- Company: Join Crane Worldwide Logistics, a global leader in supply chain solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities to collaborate across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by managing high-value air cargo movements.
- Qualifications: 4 years in airfreight operations and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Crane Worldwide Logistics is a leader in supply chain solutions with over 130 locations across 30 countries providing individual services that address our client's logistics challenges. The Tier 1 Operations Lead for Airfreight oversees day-to-day execution of critical air cargo movements for high-value customers. This role ensures flawless coordination across booking, documentation, carrier handling, customs clearance, and milestone visibility. As the primary escalation point for critical accounts, the Operations Lead safeguards service reliability, manages exceptions, and maintains strong customer relationships in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
Essential Job Functions
- Airfreight Operational Leadership
- Lead Tier 1 airfreight teams responsible for bookings, pre-alerts, tracking, and exception management.
- Ensure all shipments meet airline cut-offs, security requirements, and customer-specific SOPs.
- Monitor daily performance metrics such as uplift success rate, milestone accuracy, and transit time compliance.
- Critical Account Management
- Act as the operational owner for key airfreight customers with sensitive cargo, high volumes, or strict transit requirements.
- Build strong relationships with customer logistics teams, understanding their routing guides, compliance rules, and service expectations.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, including root-cause analysis for delays, rollovers, or documentation errors.
- Shipment Execution & Exception Handling
- Oversee end-to-end airfreight processes: booking, pickup, export documentation, security screening, airline acceptance, uplift, arrival, customs clearance, and final delivery.
- Serve as the first escalation point for issues such as:
- Airline rollovers
- Missing or incorrect documentation
- Screening failures
- Capacity shortages
- Weather-related disruptions
- Customs holds
- Coordinate with carriers, ground handlers, customs brokers, and internal teams to resolve issues quickly and protect customer timelines.
- Ensure accuracy and timeliness of all airfreight documents, including MAWB/HAWB, commercial invoices, packing lists, DG declarations, and security documentation.
- Maintain compliance with aviation security regulations, IATA standards, and customer SOPs.
- Identify documentation gaps and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
- Work closely with airlines, GSAs, and ground handling agents to secure space, manage uplift priorities, and resolve operational issues.
- Provide proactive communication to customers regarding flight status, delays, and recovery plans.
- Support carrier performance reviews by providing operational insights and data.
- Partner with Sales, Key Account Management, Customs, and Network Operations teams to support customer needs and service improvements.
- Provide operational feedback to influence routing strategies, carrier selection, and capacity planning.
- Support onboarding of new airfreight accounts, ensuring SOPs, KPIs, and communication flows are clearly defined.
Required Skills and Experience
- 4 years experience in airfreight operations within a freight forwarder or airline environment.
- Strong understanding of IATA regulations, airline processes, security screening, trade compliance and customs procedures.
- 4 years experience managing time-critical shipments and high-pressure escalations.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to provide clear, concise updates to customers and internal teams.
- Familiarity with airfreight TMS systems, airline portals, and visibility platforms.
Physical Requirements
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Talking, hearing and using hands to operate computer equipment.
- Vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
Certificate
- Professional certification may be required in some areas.
Key Competencies
- Customer Focus: Dedicated to supporting high-value accounts with urgency and precision.
- Operational Discipline: Strong attention to detail in documentation, cut-off management, and milestone accuracy.
- Problem-Solving: Able to quickly assess issues and drive fast, effective resolutions.
- Leadership: Guides Tier 1 teams with clarity, accountability, and calm under pressure.
- Agility: Thrives in a fast-paced environment with frequent exceptions and tight deadlines.
Operations Lead - Critical Accounts (Airfreight) in Middlesex employer: Crane Worldwide Logistics
Contact Detail:
Crane Worldwide Logistics Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Lead - Critical Accounts (Airfreight) in Middlesex
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the airfreight industry, especially those at Crane Worldwide Logistics. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by knowing your stuff! Brush up on IATA regulations and airfreight processes. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but the perfect fit for managing critical accounts.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your problem-solving skills. We want to see how you handle tight deadlines and unexpected issues. Share real examples from your past experiences!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Crane Worldwide Logistics.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Lead - Critical Accounts (Airfreight) in Middlesex
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Lead role. Highlight your experience in airfreight operations and any specific achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about airfreight operations and how your skills match our needs. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills: In your application, don’t forget to mention specific examples where you've successfully handled escalations or resolved issues in a high-pressure environment. We’re looking for leaders who can think on their feet!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just a few clicks and you’re done!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crane Worldwide Logistics
✨Know Your Airfreight Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of airfreight operations, especially IATA regulations and customs procedures. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but can handle the complexities of critical accounts.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed time-critical shipments or resolved escalations in the past. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, showcasing your ability to think on your feet and deliver results under pressure.
✨Build Rapport with Your Interviewers
Remember, this role is all about relationships. Show your interpersonal skills by engaging with your interviewers. Ask them about their experiences at Crane Worldwide Logistics and share your enthusiasm for building strong customer relationships in your responses.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you'd handle specific situations, like a customs hold or a documentation error. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and prepare your thought process on how you'd tackle these challenges, demonstrating your operational discipline and agility.