At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage European road freight from quote to delivery, ensuring top-notch customer service.
- Company: Dynamic logistics company based in Felixstowe with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary of £35k - £38k and opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Ideal for proactive individuals who thrive under pressure and enjoy building relationships.
- Why this job: Join a fast-paced environment and make an impact in the logistics industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in freight forwarding and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 38000 £ per year.
To manage European road freight movements from quotation through to delivery, ensuring excellent customer service, strong supplier negotiation, accurate administration and profitable account management. This role involves operating trailers, quoting customers, arranging transport, negotiating with hauliers and partners, and helping retain and grow a portfolio of customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Arrange and manage European import and export road freight shipments, including part loads and full loads.
- Operate trailers efficiently, ensuring collections and deliveries are planned, monitored and completed correctly.
- Prepare accurate and competitive customer quotations while protecting company margin.
- Negotiate rates and service options with hauliers, agents and European partners.
- Keep customers updated throughout the shipment process and deal professionally with queries or issues.
- Build strong working relationships with customers, hauliers and internal teams.
- Manage and support a portfolio of customers.
- Ensure shipment details, costs, charges and customer records are updated accurately on internal systems.
- Work closely with customs, sales and operations colleagues to deliver an integrated service.
- Resolve delays, service issues and supplier problems quickly and communicate clearly.
- Maintain commercial awareness on all jobs, including margin, additional charges and cost control.
Skills and Experience
Essential:
- Experience in freight forwarding, transport or logistics.
- Good understanding of European road freight operations.
- Strong customer service and communication skills.
- Confident negotiator with customers and suppliers.
- Good attention to detail and administration.
- Ability to manage multiple shipments and deadlines.
- Commercial awareness and understanding of margin.
Desirable:
- Experience with European trailer operations.
- Knowledge of import/export procedures and customs requirements.
- Knowledge of Sea Freight.
- Experience managing customer accounts or portfolios.
- Existing haulier or European partner relationships.
Personal Qualities
The ideal candidate will be organised, proactive, commercially minded and confident on the phone. They will be able to work under pressure, solve problems quickly, build strong relationships and take ownership of both shipments and customer accounts.
Key Measures of Success
- Accurate and timely shipment handling.
- Strong customer communication and satisfaction.
- Profitable job margins.
- Effective supplier negotiation.
- Customer retention and account growth.
- Reliable system updates and administration.
Locations
Freight Forwarder (Permanent, Contract) in Felixstowe, Suffolk employer: Manifest Recruitment Limite
Contact Detail:
Manifest Recruitment Limite Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Freight Forwarder (Permanent, Contract) in Felixstowe, Suffolk
✨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
Practice your pitch! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers or recruiters, make sure you can confidently explain your experience in freight forwarding and how you can add value to their team. Keep it concise and engaging!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Mention something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the perfect fit for their European Road Freight operations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team!
We think you need these skills to ace Freight Forwarder (Permanent, Contract) in Felixstowe, Suffolk
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Freight Forwarder role. Highlight your experience in freight forwarding, transport, or logistics, and don’t forget to showcase your strong customer service skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the European Road Freight Forwarder position. Share specific examples of your negotiation skills and how you've managed customer accounts in the past. We love a good story!
Show Off Your Attention to Detail: In this role, attention to detail is key. Make sure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate candidates who take the time to ensure their documents are polished and professional, as it reflects the care you’ll bring to managing shipments.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of success. It’s super easy and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, you’ll get to see more about what we do and how you can be a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manifest Recruitment Limite
✨Know Your Freight Forwarding Basics
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of European road freight operations. Understand the key processes involved in managing shipments, from quoting to delivery. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your expertise.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've handled, whether with hauliers or customers. Highlight how you achieved favourable rates or resolved issues. This will show that you can effectively manage supplier relationships and protect company margins.
✨Demonstrate Strong Customer Service
Be ready to discuss how you've maintained customer satisfaction in previous roles. Share specific instances where you dealt with queries or issues professionally, as this role heavily relies on building strong relationships with clients.
✨Highlight Your Organisational Skills
Since the role involves managing multiple shipments and deadlines, be prepared to talk about how you stay organised under pressure. Discuss any tools or methods you use to keep track of shipments and ensure timely updates, which is crucial for success in this position.