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- Tasks: Manage sea freight operations and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join Espace, the UK's first 100% employee-owned freight forwarder.
- Benefits: Up to £35k salary, generous pension, health cash plan, and hybrid work options.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a supportive, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving growth in sea freight services.
- Qualifications: Minimum 5 years in sea freight forwarding with strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 35000 £ per year.
Check out the role overview below. If you are confident you have got the right skills and experience, apply today.
Full Time / Permanent / 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. PLEASE DO NOT CONTACT ESPACE DIRECTLY AS WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR APPLICATION WILL BE PASSED ON.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday 4 May 2026 (APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AS THEY COME IN).
Sea Freight Forwarder in Stoke-on-Trent employer: Espace Europe Ltd
Contact Detail:
Espace Europe Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Sea Freight Forwarder in Stoke-on-Trent
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the freight forwarding industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Sea Freight Forwarder role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your sea freight knowledge and the latest industry trends. Be ready to discuss your experience with FCL and LCL shipments, and think of examples that showcase your problem-solving skills and customer service excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; focus on companies that align with your values. At StudySmarter, we believe in finding the right fit, so look for organisations that prioritise employee ownership and development opportunities, like Espace!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. It’s also a great chance to reiterate why you’d be a perfect fit for their team and how you can contribute to their growth in sea freight services.
We think you need these skills to ace Sea Freight Forwarder in Stoke-on-Trent
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sea Freight Forwarder role. Highlight your relevant experience in sea freight forwarding and any specific skills that match the job description. We want to see how you can bring your unique expertise 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 this role and how your background aligns with our values at Espace. Remember, we love enthusiasm and a can-do attitude!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Whether it's negotiating better rates or improving customer satisfaction, we want to know how you've made an impact in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Espace Europe Ltd
✨Know Your Sea Freight Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your sea freight knowledge before the interview. Understand the key terms, processes, and documentation involved in sea freight forwarding. Being able to discuss FCL and LCL shipments confidently will show that you're the right fit for the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since exceptional customer service is a big part of this role, prepare examples of how you've built strong relationships with clients in the past. Think about times when you went above and beyond to resolve issues or enhance customer satisfaction.
✨Demonstrate Your Negotiation Prowess
Be ready to talk about your experience negotiating rates with carriers and suppliers. Share specific examples where your negotiation skills led to successful outcomes, as this will highlight your commercial acumen and ability to maintain margins.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various teams, so be prepared to discuss how you’ve successfully collaborated in the past. Highlight instances where you contributed to team goals or supported colleagues, showcasing your ability to work well in a team-oriented environment.