Operations Manager in Gainsborough

Location: Gainsborough, Lincolnshire (DN21)

Out of Hours: On-call support as and when required

Freight Force Recruitment are proud to be working in partnership with an established international importing and distribution business based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, operating within a fast-paced international shipping and supply chain environment. The business works closely with overseas suppliers to ensure goods and samples are managed correctly from order placement through to final delivery. They are now looking for an experienced Operations Manager to oversee the shipping operation and play a key role in managing the movement of goods and samples across international supply chains.

This is a key operational position with responsibility for overseeing the day-to-day international shipping operation and ensuring customer requirements are followed accurately from order placement through to final delivery at destination. The successful candidate will ideally have experience within international shipping, freight forwarding, import/export or international logistics, with specific knowledge of working with China, Taiwan and India. A key part of the role will involve managing samples and customer-specific shipments, working directly with key decision-makers within major accounts and ensuring their individual procedures, policies and documentation requirements are followed precisely. This is a highly process-driven environment where shipments can involve strict customer policies, extensive paperwork and detailed compliance requirements. Previous experience working within this type of operation will therefore be essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day international shipping operation alongside the day-to-day UK distribution operation.
• Manage the end-to-end shipping process from orders being placed through to final delivery at destination.
• Coordinate international shipments, ensuring all customer-specific procedures and requirements are followed.
• Manage samples, ensuring samples are correctly processed, documented, shipped and delivered in line with customer requirements.
• Liaise directly with key decision-makers and senior contacts within key customer accounts.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key accounts, suppliers, freight forwarders and logistics partners.
• Understand and follow individual customer procedures, policies and operating requirements.
• Ensure all required paperwork and documentation is completed accurately and within strict deadlines.
• Manage shipments involving high levels of administration, paperwork and customer compliance requirements.
• Coordinate shipments from international suppliers, particularly across China, Taiwan and India.
• Liaise with freight forwarders, shipping lines, hauliers, customs agents and other logistics providers.
• Monitor shipment schedules and proactively manage delays, disruptions or issues.
• Ensure shipments remain compliant with customer-specific procedures throughout the shipping process.
• Maintain accurate shipment records and provide regular updates to key stakeholders.
• Resolve operational issues quickly and effectively.
• Manage multiple shipments, samples and customer requirements simultaneously within a fast-paced environment.
• Monitor freight costs and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Support the development and improvement of internal shipping processes.
• Provide out-of-hours operational support when required.
• Take ownership of wider operational performance and ensure the shipping operation runs efficiently and effectively.

About You

The ideal candidate will have previous experience within international shipping, freight forwarding, import/export or international logistics, with a strong understanding of the complexities involved in managing international shipments from order through to final delivery. Experience working with key accounts where strict customer procedures, policies, compliance requirements and significant amounts of documentation are involved is essential.

Essential:

• Proven experience within international shipping or freight operations.
• Strong understanding of the end-to-end international shipping process.
• Experience managing shipments from order placement through to final destination.
• Experience working within environments involving strict customer procedures and policies.
• Strong knowledge of shipping documentation and administrative processes.
• Experience managing samples and/or sample shipments.
• Experience liaising with key customers and senior decision-makers.
• Ability to manage detailed paperwork and follow complex customer processes accurately.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong communication and relationship-management skills.
• Confident dealing with suppliers, customers, freight forwarders and logistics providers.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, problem-solving approach.
• Good IT and administrative skills.

Ideally, you will have:

• Previous experience managing international shipments from China, Taiwan and India.
• Experience within an importing or distribution environment.
• Knowledge of customs and import procedures.
• Experience working with international freight forwarders and shipping lines.
• Experience working with large/key accounts with strict operating procedures.
• Previous management or operational leadership experience.

What We're Looking For

This is not a standard shipping role. The successful candidate will need to understand the full international shipping process and be comfortable managing detailed customer procedures, strict policies and extensive documentation. You will be dealing with key decision-makers within important customer accounts, so professionalism, confidence and excellent communication skills are essential. The ability to manage the journey from order placement, sample/shipment preparation, international freight, documentation, compliance, customs through to final delivery is central to the role. You will need to be highly organised, commercially aware and extremely detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple moving parts while ensuring every customer requirement is met. The environment is fast-paced, and the successful candidate will need to be comfortable taking ownership, making decisions, resolving issues and working to tight deadlines. This is a senior operational position for someone who can take full ownership of the international shipping function and ensure the operation continues to deliver a high level of service to key customers and overseas suppliers.