At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead airfreight operations, ensuring smooth cargo movements and strong customer relationships.
- Company: Fast-growing freight specialist with a stellar reputation in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Be part of a leading agency established since 1992, shaping the future of freight.
- Why this job: Join a team that makes a real impact in the fast-paced world of airfreight.
- Qualifications: Experience in airfreight operations and excellent communication skills required.
Freightserve recruitment are looking for an Operations Lead Agent looking after Key Accounts for a Worldwide Freight Forwarder based in the Heathrow area. The 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.
Daily Duties:
- Lead 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.
- 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.
- 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 Experience:
- 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.
- 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 systems, airline portals, and visibility platforms.
Operations Team Leader in Feltham employer: Freightserve recruitment
Freightserve is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of the Heathrow area, where you can lead airfreight operations for high-value customers. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we provide opportunities for continuous learning and career advancement while fostering a collaborative culture that values teamwork and innovation. Join us to be part of a fast-growing company with a stellar reputation in the freight forwarding industry, where your contributions directly impact service excellence and customer satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Team Leader in Feltham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the freight forwarding industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to airfreight operations. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role of Operations Team Leader. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your problem-solving skills! In the fast-paced world of airfreight, being able to think on your feet is crucial. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve handled challenges in previous roles, especially those involving critical accounts or time-sensitive shipments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s get you one step closer to that Operations Team Leader role!
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Team Leader in Feltham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Team Leader role. Highlight your experience in airfreight operations and any relevant achievements that showcase your ability to manage high-pressure situations and critical shipments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Use specific examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills in coordination, customer relationship management, and problem-solving in a fast-paced environment.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is key in this role, make sure to highlight your ability to provide clear updates and maintain strong relationships with customers and internal teams. This will show us you can handle the demands of the position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Freightserve recruitment
✨Know Your Airfreight Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of airfreight operations, 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 the role.
✨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 and highlight your ability to think on your feet.
✨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 and share your own insights into building strong customer relationships in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle specific operational challenges, like airline rollovers or missing documentation. Think through potential scenarios beforehand and prepare your responses to demonstrate your critical thinking and operational ownership.
