At a Glance
- Tasks: Prepare competitive ocean freight quotes and coordinate shipments from start to finish.
- Company: Established international freight forwarding and logistics provider in Felixstowe.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 21 days annual leave, bonus scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Friendly environment with immediate start available.
- Why this job: Join a growing team and make a real impact in the logistics industry.
- Qualifications: 3-4 years of experience in freight forwarding and excellent customer service skills.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 38000 £ per year.
Salary: £35,000 - £38,000
Location: Felixstowe
Position: Permanent, Full Time
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm
Start Date: ASAP
About the Role
Are you an experienced Ocean Freight professional with a strong commercial focus and a passion for delivering excellent customer service? Our client, a well-established international freight forwarding and logistics provider, is looking for an Ocean Freight Sales Specialist to join their growing team in Felixstowe. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with proven freight forwarding experience who enjoys preparing quotations, coordinating shipments, and building lasting customer relationships.
What you'll do
- Prepare accurate and competitive ocean freight quotations for customers
- Coordinate import and export ocean freight shipments from start to finish
- Liaise with shipping lines, overseas agents, hauliers and customers
- Follow up quotations to maximise conversion opportunities
- Build and maintain strong customer relationships
- Ensure all documentation is completed accurately and within deadlines
- Work closely with the sales team to identify new business opportunities
- Provide exceptional customer service and regular shipment updates
- Ensure all files are maintained in line with company procedures
- Support continuous improvement of operational processes
What you'll need
- A minimum of 3-4 years' experience working for a freight forwarder is essential
- Proven experience within Ocean Freight Forwarding
- Experience preparing freight quotations and managing shipments
- Good understanding of import and export ocean freight procedures
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Strong organisational skills with excellent attention to detail
- Commercial awareness with the ability to build and maintain customer relationships
- Confident using freight forwarding systems and Microsoft Office
- Ability to prioritise workload within a fast-paced environment
Why you'll love this role
- Competitive salary of £35,000 - £38,000
- Monday to Friday working hours, 9:00am - 5:00pm
- 21 days' annual leave, plus an additional day's holiday for your birthday
- Death in Service benefit
- Bonus scheme - up to 10% of annual salary if the branch achieves its annual budgeted target (applicable from 2027 onwards for the successful candidate)
- People's Pension statutory workplace pension scheme
- Excellent career development opportunities
- Friendly and supportive working environment
- Stable, full-time permanent position
- Immediate start available
If you're an experienced Ocean Freight Forwarding professional looking to join a successful and growing logistics business where you can make a real impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Ocean Freight Sales Specialist in Felixstowe employer: Red Recruits
Red Recruits is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Basingstoke where employees can thrive in their roles as Move Managers. With a strong emphasis on professional development and a commitment to exceptional customer service, team members enjoy competitive salaries and the opportunity to collaborate with dedicated operational teams, making every day rewarding and impactful.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Ocean Freight Sales Specialist in Felixstowe
✨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 Red Recruits 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 Red Recruits!
✨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 Red Recruits 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 Ocean Freight Sales Specialist in Felixstowe
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 Red Recruits:This is your chance to really connect with the team at Red Recruits. 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 Red Recruits
✨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 Red Recruits.
✨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 Red Recruits 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 Red Recruits. Show them you’re not just focused on the day-to-day but also have a strategic mindset!
