At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop the Ocean Export product in a dynamic logistics operation.
- Company: Join a leading logistics company with a focus on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £80,000, Monday to Friday hours, and travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving business growth and mentoring a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in ocean freight, 3+ years in team management, strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Opportunity for career advancement in a global logistics network.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 64000 £ per year.
Location: Southampton (with travel to customer sites and head office in Heathrow)
Package: Competitive, with mean earnings up to £80,000
Hours: Monday - Friday
We are recruiting an experienced Ocean Product Manager to lead and develop the Ocean Export product within a dynamic logistics operation. This is a senior role, combining people leadership, operational oversight, and business development, making it ideal for an ambitious professional with strong industry experience.
Why This Role Matters
- Lead and mentor your team, supporting career development and succession planning
- Oversee operations, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and service excellence
- Drive business development and revenue growth in line with district objectives
- Contribute to strategic planning and maintain strong customer and vendor relationships
Key Responsibilities
- People & Leadership
- Develop, mentor, and support team members, including identifying your #2
- Conduct regular appraisals, set clear expectations, and implement development plans
- Plan and lead department meetings, goal setting, and performance monitoring
- Ensure staff complete ongoing training and development programs
- Operations & Process
- Manage day-to-day Ocean Export operations, improving efficiency and cost-effectiveness
- Maintain accurate processes, SOPs, and KPIs
- Monitor productivity, revenue-to-expense ratio, and other operational metrics
- Build and maintain strong vendor relationships and evaluate performance
- Customer & Business Development
- Maintain personal involvement with top customers and participate in retention activities
- Support sales teams with product knowledge and technical expertise
- Respond to RFQs, proposals, and quotations with market-competitive pricing
- Drive new business onboarding and manage customer transitions
- Financial Oversight
- Assist with departmental budgeting and review P&L performance
- Monitor revenue, freight yields, and accounts receivable
- Control expenses and ensure contracts follow company procedures
- Culture & Compliance
- Promote a positive team culture and lead by example
- Ensure all internal and external compliance standards are met
- Encourage innovation, system enhancements, and process improvements
Skills & Experience Required
- University degree or equivalent business qualification
- Minimum 7 years' experience in ocean freight or global logistics
- Minimum 3 years' team management experience
- Strong leadership, emotional intelligence, and change management skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills
- Demonstrable experience in operational excellence, P&L oversight, and business development
- Strong understanding of ocean export processes and the logistics market
- Fluent in English
What We're Looking For
- A strategic, results-driven leader with a focus on operational and financial excellence
- Exceptional at building relationships internally and externally
- Able to drive business growth while managing a high-performing team
- Organized, reliable, and adaptable, with a proactive approach to problem-solving
What's On Offer
- Competitive package with mean earnings up to £80,000
- Office-based Monday - Friday with travel to customer sites and head office
- Opportunity to lead a high-performing team and influence operational strategy
- Exposure to a broad, global logistics network and key industry accounts
If you are a senior Ocean Export professional with proven leadership experience and a track record of driving operational excellence and business growth, this is an excellent opportunity to take the next step in your career.
Ocean Freight Commercial Manager in West End of London employer: WR Logistics
Contact Detail:
WR Logistics Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Ocean Freight Commercial Manager in West End of London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend logistics events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your leadership and operational skills. Share specific examples of how you've driven business growth or improved processes in your previous roles. We want to see that you can walk the talk!
✨Prepare for Interviews
Do your homework before any interview! Research the company, understand their ocean freight operations, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We recommend preparing some thoughtful questions to ask them too – it shows you're genuinely interested!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only makes it easier for you but also helps us keep track of your application. Plus, we love seeing familiar names pop up!
We think you need these skills to ace Ocean Freight Commercial Manager in West End of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Ocean Freight Commercial Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in ocean freight and logistics, especially any leadership roles you've held. 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 this position. Share specific examples of your achievements in business development and team management. Remember, we love a good story that showcases your passion for the industry.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've mentored others, conducted appraisals, or driven team success. We’re keen on seeing how you can inspire and develop your team!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at WR Logistics
✨Know Your Ocean Freight Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of ocean export processes and the logistics market. Be prepared to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves people leadership, think about how you've successfully mentored or developed team members in the past. Prepare to share stories that highlight your emotional intelligence and change management skills.
✨Demonstrate Business Development Acumen
Be ready to talk about how you've driven business growth in previous roles. Have examples of successful strategies you've implemented, particularly in relation to customer retention and new business onboarding.
✨Prepare for Operational Excellence Questions
Expect questions around operational efficiency and financial oversight. Think about how you've improved processes or managed P&L performance in your previous positions, and be ready to discuss the metrics you used to measure success.