Sea Freight Forwarder in Burntwood

Full Time / Permanent / 08.30 - 17.30 Mon-Fri

Salary up to £35k 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)

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 our Sea Freight Forwarder, and play a valuable role in the growth of our Sea Freight offering. As we set our sights on further developing this mode alongside our other multimodal services, we are in search of an individual who has dedicated a minimum of five years to this specialism. The perfect candidate will boast demonstrable experience in Sea 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 drive the growth and success of our sea freight services by managing end-to-end operations, delivering exceptional customer service, and supporting commercial expansion. You'll strengthen relationships with clients and suppliers, re-engage lapsed accounts, and convert new opportunities into long-term partnerships. The role combines operational ownership with commercial acumen. You'll be measured against KPIs including service quality, client retention, shipment volume, and revenue growth with a strong emphasis on efficiency, responsiveness, and professionalism.

For clarity, this is a true forwarding role; we do not raise our own documentation in-house. However, a strong understanding and experience of completing such documentation is essential, as you will be required to review documents prepared by third parties, liaise directly with clients, and, where necessary, guide or educate them on documentation requirements to ensure compliance and smooth operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage full-cycle import/export shipments (FCL and LCL) from booking to final delivery.
• Coordinate all documentation, customs clearance, and domestic transport in collaboration with internal teams.
• Quote accurately and chase feedback to maximise conversion into live jobs.
• Negotiate competitive rates with carriers and suppliers to maintain margin and service quality.
• Track and monitor shipments using carrier portals and TMS, proactively resolving issues.
• Maintain accurate records and handle invoicing, costing, and query resolution in line with procedures.
• Ensure exceptional customer service that builds trust and encourages repeat business.
• Support the sales team with quotes and identify upselling/cross-selling opportunities during customer interactions.
• Participate in client and supplier meetings to build rapport and identify growth opportunities.

Service Development

• Build and maintain strong relationships with carriers, suppliers, and agents.
• Contribute to the preferred carrier list by trade lane based on service performance and commercial value.
• Identify and help onboard new carriers and suppliers to expand capacity and reach.
• Collaborate with marketing on targeted campaigns to promote sea freight services.
• Cross-sell additional services (e.g. European Road, Express, UK Transport & 3PL, Customs) where appropriate.
• Attend client visits to strengthen engagement and explore future sea freight needs.

Communications

• Communicate clearly and professionally with customers, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Work closely with our customs and domestic transport teams to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Keep the Sea and Air Freight Supervisor and Operations Director informed of key developments, issues, or risks.

Allocation and Oversight

• Largely self-initiated role with support and guidance from the Sea and Air Freight Supervisor and Operations Director.
• Ensure adherence to departmental systems and procedures.

Skills and Experience

• Min 5 years experience in sea freight import/export within freight forwarding.
• Airfreight knowledge is required secondary to sea freight.
• Solid knowledge of Incoterms, shipping lines, trade lanes, and documentation.
• IMDG trained is advantageous.
• Proven ability to negotiate and secure new and repeat business.
• Experience managing both FCL and LCL shipments.
• Comfortable with TMS/CRM systems and carrier platforms.
• Strong network of contacts within shipping lines and agents.
• Confident supporting process improvement and team mentoring.

Personal Attributes

• Clear, confident communicator with excellent customer service skills.
• Proactive, resourceful, and solutions-focused.
• Self-motivated and accountable with strong time management skills.
• Commercially minded and target driven.
• Able to remain calm and flexible under pressure.
• Positive and professional in all interactions.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Enjoy working within a target-driven environment - be a team player.
• Being able to work on your own as well as a team. Using your own initiative.
• Must be professional and respectful to all stakeholders (colleagues, customers, suppliers etc). Always upholding our company values.

Core Competencies

• Collaborative Teamwork: Actively contributes to team goals.
• Customer Focus: Prioritises customer satisfaction and loyalty.
• Adaptability: Adjusts quickly to changes in tasks or priorities.
• Relationship Building: Develops and maintains strong stakeholder relationships.
• Organisational Awareness: Understands the company's goals and promotes its services.
• Decision Making: Makes informed, timely, and effective decisions.

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.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday 4 May 2026 (APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AS THEY COME IN)