Ocean Import Operator - Manchester - Freight Forwarder

Manchester | £35,000–£39,000

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Ocean Import Operator to join a growing freight forwarding operation in Manchester.

This is a great opportunity for someone with solid ocean import experience who wants to take ownership of customer accounts and play an important role within a growing team.

You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day ocean import requirements of customers across a range of sectors, including retail and food/general cargo.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Managing the daily operations for assigned customers
• Coordinating ocean import shipments from collection through to delivery
• Preparing and processing shipping documentation
• Liaising with shipping lines, service providers, overseas offices and customs
• Arranging collections and deliveries
• Managing customs requirements and ensuring compliance
• Handling invoicing and shipment administration
• Working with ocean freight rates and pricing
• Pricing and negotiating rates where required
• Providing a high level of customer service throughout the shipment lifecycle
• Supporting the wider office across road, air and export operations where required

The ideal candidate will have:

• 2–4+ years' experience within ocean/sea freight
• Strong hands-on experience within ocean imports
• Good knowledge of import documentation, customs and shipping processes
• Strong customer service and communication skills
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple shipments simultaneously
• A calm and professional approach when working under pressure
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel

Experience across road, air freight or ocean exports would be highly beneficial, particularly given the smaller size of the office.

Experience handling retail, food or general cargo customers would be particularly relevant.

Candidates who can bring or develop existing customer relationships/business would be a significant advantage.

• £35,000–£39,000 salary
• Opportunity to join a business experiencing new business growth
• Varied role with exposure across the wider freight forwarding operation
• Opportunity to take ownership of key customer accounts
• Growing team with scope to develop alongside the business

If you're an experienced Ocean Import Operator looking for a new opportunity in Manchester, we'd be keen to hear from you.