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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead daily operations, ensuring productivity and compliance in a fast-paced customs brokerage environment.
- Company: Join a leading customs brokerage with a focus on operational excellence and team development.
- Benefits: Negotiable salary, smart/casual dress code, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving process improvements and mentoring teams in a dynamic setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in customs or brokerage operations and strong people management skills.
- Other info: Office-based role with occasional travel and out-of-hours working to meet demands.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 58000 £ per year.
Location: Dover
Salary: £50,000 (Negotiable)
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
PSM Recruitment is working with a leading customs brokerage business to recruit an experienced Operations Manager to take full responsibility for their Dover office. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role, acting as the first-line decision maker for the site and playing a key role in driving operational excellence, compliance, and team development.
The Role
You will oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring productivity, accuracy, and service delivery are aligned with wider business goals. A strong focus of the role is on departmental structure, process improvement, automation, and people development, working closely with team leaders, specialists, and senior leadership.
Key Accountabilities
- Full responsibility for the daily operational performance of the Dover office
- Ensure high standards of productivity, accuracy, and compliance across all teams
- Work closely with the Brokerage Director and leadership team to implement policies, procedures, and systems
- Line manage Team Leaders and Specialists, aligning objectives and supporting mentoring across the declarant network
- Design and implement a framework for specialist roles, including tailored job descriptions aligned to individual skill sets
- Oversee systems automation and process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy
- Build and maintain strong operational relationships with customers, both new and existing
- Ensure adequate staffing and coverage for the 24/7 shift system, including weekend on-call rota
Key Responsibilities
- Lead by example, ensuring adherence to company policies and procedures
- Create, maintain, and improve Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Liaise with HMRC and other relevant authorities to facilitate customs clearance
- Produce and support weekly and monthly operational reports for Directors
- Conduct monthly internal reviews with key stakeholders to share best practice and drive continuous improvement
- Manage holidays, absences, return-to-work interviews, and HR documentation
- Carry out 1-2-1s, appraisals, and performance management processes
- Stay up to date with import, export, and transit legislation through industry webinars and seminars
- Act as the single point of contact for audits, working closely with the audit team and organising training to close skill gaps
- Support key client relationships alongside the Operations Manager and senior stakeholders
- Ensure Team Leaders actively manage customer IOPs and internal instructions
What to Expect
- Office-based role in Dover
- Smart / casual dress code
- A fast-paced and sometimes high-pressure environment, supported by an experienced leadership team
- Occasional travel to other offices to support business needs
- Attendance at customer meetings, sometimes involving overnight stays
- Out-of-hours working as required to meet operational demands
About You
You will be an experienced customs or brokerage operations leader, confident managing teams, improving processes, and working in a regulated, time-critical environment. Strong people management, stakeholder communication, and compliance knowledge are essential.
Operations Manager employer: PSM recruitment Ltd
Contact Detail:
PSM recruitment Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the customs brokerage field and let them know you're on the hunt for an Operations Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its operations. Understand their challenges and think about how your experience can help them improve productivity and compliance. This will show you're not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully managed teams and improved processes in previous roles. Highlighting your hands-on approach will resonate well with hiring managers looking for someone to take charge.
✨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 in their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Operations Manager role. Highlight your experience in customs brokerage, team management, and process improvement. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our Dover office. Share specific examples of your leadership style and how you've driven operational excellence in previous roles.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don't just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics and examples to demonstrate how you've improved productivity, compliance, or team performance. We love seeing results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you'll be able to keep track of your application status. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at PSM recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Operations Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of an Operations Manager in customs brokerage. Familiarise yourself with the daily operations, compliance standards, and how to drive operational excellence. This will help you speak confidently about your experience and how it aligns with the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully managed teams in the past. Think of specific examples where you've improved processes or developed team members. Highlighting your ability to mentor and align objectives with team leaders will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Operations Managers often face challenges that require quick thinking and effective solutions. Prepare to share instances where you've tackled operational issues or implemented process improvements. This will show your potential employer that you're proactive and capable of handling high-pressure situations.
✨Engage with Industry Knowledge
Stay updated on the latest import, export, and transit legislation relevant to customs brokerage. Mention any recent webinars or seminars you've attended during the interview. This demonstrates your commitment to continuous improvement and your understanding of the regulatory landscape, which is crucial for the role.
