Pricing Lead Agent in Egham

Freightserve recruitment are looking for a Senior Pricing Agent for a well-established Freight Forwarder based in the Egham, Surrey area.

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Lead Pricing Executive to lead our pricing function and oversee a small team of two Pricing Executives.

The role will be responsible for managing pricing enquiries across all modes of transport, including air freight, sea freight, road freight and courier/express, while ensuring we remain competitive and maintain healthy margins.

The successful candidate will be responsible for organising and allocating the team's workload, monitoring performance, reviewing monthly reports and supporting the development of the two team members. They will also work closely with our operations and sales teams, as well as airlines, shipping lines, hauliers, overseas agents and other suppliers, to obtain competitive rates and develop accurate quotations for customers.

This is a fast-paced role that requires excellent attention to detail, strong communication and leadership skills, commercial awareness and a good understanding of the freight forwarding industry.

Key Responsibilities:-

Team Leadership & Management

• Lead and manage a team of two Pricing Executives.
• Organise and allocate the team's daily workload to ensure pricing enquiries are dealt with efficiently and within agreed timescales.
• Monitor the team's workload and ensure priorities are managed effectively.
• Provide guidance, support and training to team members where required.
• Review the quality and accuracy of quotations produced by the team.
• Monitor individual and team performance against agreed targets and KPIs.
• Conduct regular catch-ups with team members and provide ongoing feedback.
• Review monthly pricing and performance reports, identifying trends, issues and opportunities for improvement.
• Report key findings and performance to management.
• Ensure the team maintains a high level of customer service and commercial awareness.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency within the pricing department.
• Act as the main point of escalation for more complex or commercially sensitive pricing enquiries.

Pricing & Commercial Responsibilities:-

• Manage and respond to customer and internal pricing enquiries across all modes of transport.
• Obtain and negotiate competitive rates from airlines, shipping lines, hauliers, agents and other suppliers.
• Prepare accurate and competitive quotations for customers.
• Ensure all costs are correctly identified, including freight, fuel/security surcharges, handling, customs, delivery, collection and other applicable charges.
• Calculate selling rates and ensure appropriate profit margins are achieved.
• Monitor market rates and maintain up-to-date knowledge of current freight pricing and market conditions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and overseas agents.
• Negotiate improved rates and service levels with existing and new suppliers.
• Support the sales team with pricing for new business opportunities and customer tenders.
• Assist with larger or more complex quotations and provide pricing solutions for unusual or specialist shipments.
• Review and analyse existing customer rates to identify opportunities to improve profitability.
• Maintain accurate pricing records, rate sheets and supplier information.
• Ensure quotations are provided within agreed timescales.
• Work closely with the operations team to ensure quoted services and costs are achievable.
• Identify opportunities to improve margins without compromising competitiveness.
• Assist with resolving pricing discrepancies and supplier invoice issues where required.

Modes & Services:-

The role will cover pricing across a range of freight services, including:

• Air freight – import and export
• Sea freight – FCL and LCL
• Road freight – UK, European and international
• Courier and express services
• Customs clearance
• Warehousing and storage
• Import and export services
• Specialist and out-of-gauge cargo
• Exhibition and event logistics
• Time-critical and urgent shipments

Commercial Responsibilities:-

• Achieve agreed gross profit and margin targets.
• Monitor and review departmental performance and profitability.
• Understand the commercial impact of different routing and service options.
• Compare supplier rates and select the most commercially appropriate solution.
• Negotiate with suppliers to secure the best possible buying rates.
• Identify opportunities for additional revenue and improved profitability.
• Ensure all quotations are commercially viable before being issued to customers.
• Provide management with regular pricing and market analysis.
• Review monthly reports and take appropriate action where performance or margins are below expectations.

Experience & Skills

• Previous experience in freight forwarding, logistics or a similar commercial/pricing role.
• Good understanding of international freight forwarding and the different modes of transport.
• Previous experience of supervising, mentoring or managing team members.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Commercially aware with a strong understanding of margins and profitability.
• Ability to manage multiple pricing enquiries and team priorities simultaneously.

As an agency we are fast becoming the number one Freight specialist in the UK. We have a fast growing reputation with most Freight related companies. Freightserve has been established since 1992 working within the Freight Forwarding and Shipping industry.