<p><strong>Operations / Customer Service Manager</strong> </p><p><strong>Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 + Benefits</strong></p> <p><strong>Up to £60,000 for candidates with Customs Clearance experience</strong></p> <p><strong>Location: Heathrow</strong></p> <p><strong>Monday - Friday Office-based with 1 day WFH</strong></p> <p><strong>The Opportunity</strong> </p><p>We are working with an <strong>established and growing freight forwarding business</strong> launching a new operation in the Heathrow area. They are looking for an experienced <strong>Operations / Customer Service Manager</strong> to take ownership of the day-to-day operation and play a key role in establishing the new office.</p> <p>The initial focus will be on <strong>Ocean and Road Freight</strong>, with Air Freight forming a secondary part of the role.</p> <p><strong>The Role</strong> </p><p>You will be responsible for managing end-to-end freight forwarding operations, delivering excellent customer service and developing strong relationships with carriers and service providers.</p> <p>Key responsibilities will include:</p> <ul> <li>Managing end-to-end <strong>Ocean and Road Freight</strong> operations</li> <li>Supporting <strong>Air Freight</strong> shipments as required</li> <li>Managing customer requirements and ensuring shipments are handled efficiently from start to finish</li> <li>Obtaining and negotiating freight rates and supporting pricing activity</li> <li>Building and maintaining strong relationships with shipping lines, hauliers, airlines and other service providers</li> <li>Resolving operational issues and providing practical solutions</li> <li>Ensuring a consistently high level of customer service and communication</li> <li>Taking ownership of operational processes and helping establish the new Heathrow operation</li> <li>Working proactively with a <strong>service excellence and can-do mindset</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>About You</strong> </p><p>We are looking for an experienced freight forwarding professional with strong knowledge of <strong>Ocean and Road Freight operations</strong> and the ability to take ownership of customers and shipments.</p> <p>You will ideally have:</p> <ul> <li>Strong experience within freight forwarding</li> <li>Solid <strong>Ocean and Road Freight</strong> operational experience</li> <li>Exposure to Air Freight</li> <li>Experience dealing directly with carriers and negotiating rates</li> <li>Strong customer service and communication skills</li> <li>A solutions-focused, proactive and <strong>can-do approach</strong></li> <li>Commercial awareness and confidence handling pricing</li> <li>The ability to work independently and take ownership</li> <li><strong>Customs Clearance experience would be highly advantageous</strong></li> </ul> <p><strong>What's on Offer?</strong> </p><ul> <li><strong>£50,000 - £55,000 annual salary</strong></li> <li><strong>Up to £60,000</strong> for candidates with Customs Clearance experience</li> <li>1 day working from home per week once the office is established</li> <li>Opportunity to join an established forwarder during an exciting period of growth</li> <li>Genuine opportunity to have an influence on the development of the Heathrow operation</li> <li>Initially, the role can be <strong>home-based while the new office is being finalised</strong></li> </ul> <p>If you have strong <strong>Ocean and Road Freight</strong> experience and are looking for an opportunity to take ownership of a new operation, we'd like to hear from you.</p><img src="https://www.jobg8.com/Tracking.aspx?YX73ntkOFmB%2babpTXTJ4Cws" width="0" height="0" />