At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage shipments end-to-end and identify opportunities for profit growth.
- Company: Leading UK freight forwarder with a service-first approach.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Clear progression path and a collaborative, ego-free culture.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in the logistics industry.
- Qualifications: 2-4 years of freight forwarding experience and strong problem-solving skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 38000 £ per year.
Location: Southampton | Department: Operations
Reports to: Operations Manager / Branch Manager
Salary: £30,000 - £38,000 + bonus, DOE | Type: Full-time, office-based with hybrid flexibility
About Us
Our client is a leading UK freight forwarder with 20+ years moving air, sea, road and project cargo worldwide known for service-first operations and smart commercial thinking. The Southampton office is a key UK gateway, handling 8,000+ TEU annually across retail, automotive, and industrial clients.
The Role
This isn't a process the paperwork ops role. We need a Commercially Minded Operations Executive who owns shipments end-to-end and spots opportunities to improve margin, win revenue, and keep clients sticky. You'll sit between operations and sales executing flawlessly while thinking: How do we make this more profitable? What else does this client need? Where's the risk?
Key Responsibilities
- Operational Excellence (60%): Manage full lifecycle of air/sea/road shipments: booking, documentation, customs, tracking, POD. Liaise daily with overseas agents, shipping lines, hauliers, airlines, and UK ports mainly Southampton, Felixstowe, London Gateway. Ensure HMRC/CHIEF/CDS compliance and accurate customs entries. No surprises on duty/VAT. Proactively solve problems: delays, roll-overs, space issues, demurrage. Clients hear solutions, not problems. Maintain data integrity in [CargoWise/Wisetech/operational system] your numbers drive our reporting.
- Commercial Performance (30%): Protect margin: Query rate discrepancies, challenge unnecessary charges, optimize routing. Grow accounts: Spot upsell ops insurance, customs clearance, warehousing, DDP conversions. Flag buying opportunities: consolidations, backloads, new carrier deals. Support sales on quotes/tenders with real operational costings, not guesswork. Own client KPIs: OTIF, spend, volume trends. Join QBRs and talk like an owner.
- Team & Compliance (10%): Mentor junior ops coordinators on best practice. Adhere to AEO, ISO, BIFA standards and internal SOPs. Support out-of-hours cover on rota - freight doesn't sleep.
What You'll Bring
Essential:
- 2-4 years freight forwarding ops experience - sea freight preferred, air/road a bonus.
- Commercial acumen: You understand sell vs buy rates, GP, and why 1 day of demurrage kills margin.
- Systems savvy: CargoWise/BluJay/Debitoor or similar + strong Excel - vlookups, pivot tables.
- Customs knowledge: CDS, CPC codes, Incoterms 2020, post-Brexit processes.
- Problem solver: Calm under pressure when a container's stuck in Southampton VBS chaos.
- Client-facing: You can explain a port strike to a FD without panicking them.
Desirable:
- BIFA qualified or working towards.
- Experience with retail, automotive, or hazardous cargo.
- Established carrier/agent relationships out of Southampton.
- Knowledge of bonded warehousing, ETSF, or 4PL models.
What Success Looks Like in 12 Months
- Zero margin leakage: Your files hit GP targets, debit notes queried within 48hrs.
- Client growth: 2+ existing accounts buy new services because you spotted the gap.
- Trusted voice: Sales bring you to pitches because you make them look good.
- Efficiency: You've automated or improved 1 key process in the Southampton team.
What We Offer
- Base: £30k-£38k based on experience + performance bonus tied to GP retention/growth.
- Progression: Clear path to Senior Ops, Key Account Manager, or Trade Lane Manager.
- Development: BIFA training, Customs Academy, leadership courses - we pay.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday + bank hols, pension 5% matched, healthcare cash plan, staff forwarder rates.
- Culture: No ego, no silos. Ops and sales eat lunch together. We win and lose as one team.
Operations Executive in Southampton employer: Headford Group
Our client is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Southampton where collaboration and innovation thrive. With a strong focus on employee development, including BIFA training and leadership courses, team members are encouraged to grow their careers while enjoying competitive benefits such as a performance bonus, generous holiday allowance, and a supportive culture that values teamwork and open communication.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Executive in Southampton
✨Get Involved in Industry Events
Logistics and supply chain are all about networking, so hit up those trade shows and local meetups. Places like the UK's Logistics and Supply Chain conference can be goldmines for connecting with potential employers like Headford Group and learning about the latest trends in the industry.
✨Leverage Online Communities
Join forums and LinkedIn groups specifically for logistics professionals. Share your insights and ask questions to get noticed. Being active in these spaces can help you establish credibility and might just lead to an opportunity at Headford Group!
✨Showcase Your Skills with a Portfolio
Even if it’s a full-time gig, having a portfolio can really set you apart. Include case studies or projects that demonstrate your understanding of supply chain management, logistics software, or solving operational challenges. You’d be surprised at how much this can impress hiring managers.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don't forget the power of applying directly through our website! A lot of companies like Headford Group keep job postings exclusive to their sites. This way, you can easily keep track of your applications and ensure your profile is in front of the right people.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Executive in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:In your CV and cover letter, make sure to highlight your understanding of logistics and supply chain management principles. Mention any relevant courses you've taken or tools you've used, like inventory management software or data analysis platforms, to showcase your skills and keep up with best practices in the industry.
Quantify Your Achievements:When detailing your previous work experience, remember to use numbers wherever possible. Did you improve delivery times by a specific percentage? Did you help reduce costs? These kinds of quantified achievements not only catch the eye but also demonstrate your capability in the logistics sector.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Headford Group:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Headford Group. In your cover letter, express why you're passionate about supply chain logistics and how your goals align with the company’s mission. A little personalisation goes a long way!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you've got any certifications related to logistics or supply chain management—like APICS or Six Sigma—make sure you flaunt them! These show that you're committed to your professional development and can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Headford Group
✨Know Your Logistics Tools
Make sure you're familiar with key logistics software and tools like SAP or Oracle ERP. These are often used in the industry, and being able to demonstrate your knowledge or experience with them can really set you apart during your interview with Headford Group.
✨Perfect Your Problem-Solving Skills
Expect to tackle scenarios that showcase your problem-solving skills. Think about past experiences where you've had to optimise supply chains or handle logistics challenges. Have a few examples ready to discuss how you made decisions that led to improvements.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Supply chain roles heavily rely on teamwork and communication. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Maybe share a time when you coordinated with a team to resolve a logistical hiccup. This can show Headford Group that you're a team player!
✨Understand the Big Picture
Be ready to talk about the broader logistics and supply chain trends. Having insights into current challenges in the industry, like sustainability or lead times, can impress the interviewers at Headford Group. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
