Air Freight Operator

First Logistics; Sydney; On-site; AUD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

First Logistics Australia is seeking an experienced Airfreight Operator to join our freight operations team. You will take end-to-end ownership of air import and export shipments, from booking to delivery and invoicing.

You'll work closely with clients, overseas agents, airlines and customs brokers, proactively communicating updates and resolving issues before they impact the client. We value ownership, problem solving, teamwork and strong commercial awareness.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of Australian airfreight operations experience.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.
• Ability to take ownership of shipments and resolve issues promptly.

Responsibilities

• Managing end-to-end Air Import and Export shipments from start to finish.
• Communicating daily with clients and providing proactive shipment updates.
• Liaising with overseas agents, airlines, terminals, customs brokers and transport providers.
• Coordinating customs and quarantine requirements.
• Managing airline and terminal availability and collections.
• Arranging transport and final deliveries.
• Managing CargoWise milestones, documentation and job files.
• Resolving operational exceptions, delays and other freight challenges.
• Rating, job costing and invoicing.
• Monitoring costs and shipment profitability.
• Identifying issues early and finding practical solutions.
• Working closely with the wider Freight and Operations teams.

Skills

Airfreight operations

Client relationship management

Proactive communication

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

Take ownership of Airfreight. Build great client relationships. Be part of a team where your contribution genuinely matters.

First Logistics Australia is a growing Australian-owned international freight forwarder based in Prestons, and we're looking for an experienced Airfreight Operator to join our freight operations team.

This isn't a role where you'll simply process files.

We're looking for someone who wants to take genuine ownership of their airfreight shipments, build strong relationships with clients and partners, solve problems before they become problems, and contribute to the continued growth of our business.

If you're an experienced operator who enjoys being part of a close-knit team, values great service and likes having the freedom to think and contribute, we'd like to hear from you.

The Role

You'll take end-to-end ownership of our Air Import and Export operations, managing shipments from initial booking or pre-alert through to final delivery and invoicing.

Your day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Managing Air Import and Export shipments from start to finish
• Communicating daily with clients and providing proactive shipment updates
• Liaising with overseas agents, airlines, terminals, customs brokers and transport providers
• Coordinating customs and quarantine requirements
• Managing airline and terminal availability and collections
• Arranging transport and final deliveries
• Managing CargoWise milestones, documentation and job files
• Resolving operational exceptions, delays and other freight challenges
• Rating, job costing and invoicing
• Monitoring costs and shipment profitability
• Identifying issues early and finding practical solutions before they impact the client
• Working closely with the wider Freight and Operations teams to deliver the best possible outcome

You'll report to our Freight Team Lead and work closely with the wider operations team and management.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone with at least 2-3 years of Australian Airfreight operations experience, who is comfortable independently managing shipments from start to finish across imports and exports.

CargoWise experience is essential.

More Than Just Experience

Technical experience is important, but how you work with clients, partners and your team matters too. We value people who:

• Genuinely enjoy working as part of a team
• Take ownership rather than waiting to be told what to do
• Care about your clients and the service they receive
• Communicate proactively rather than waiting for clients to chase you
• Think ahead and anticipate potential freight problems
• Look for solutions when things don't go to plan
• Understand that our airlines, transport companies, overseas agents and other subcontractors are important partners in delivering a great service
• Are confident in your knowledge while remaining humble and open to new ideas
• Take pride in representing yourself and the business professionally
• Are friendly, approachable and enjoy working with people

For candidates towards the upper end of the salary range, we're also looking for strong commercial awareness - understanding costs and margins, identifying opportunities to improve profitability and considering the commercial outcome of the decisions you make.

How We Work

First Logistics has clear processes and high operational standards, but we're not interested in unnecessary red tape.

Proactivity is valued here.

We expect our team to work within our processes, but we also expect people to question how things can be done better and contribute ideas. You'll have direct access to management, work within a close-knit team and have the opportunity to see the impact of your work on our clients and the growth of the business. We value open communication and teamwork, and we don't have much time for internal politics.

When something goes wrong, our approach is simple:

Identify it early. Take ownership. Find a solution. Communicate with the client. Ask for help when you need it. Stay with it until it's resolved.

Grow With Us

First Logistics is growing, and we want our people to grow with us.

When new opportunities and leadership positions become available, we believe in looking at the people already within our business.

We're therefore looking for someone who isn't only thinking about their next job, but wants an opportunity to develop, contribute and potentially take on greater responsibility as the business continues to grow.

If you're an experienced Airfreight Operator who values teamwork, client service, proactive thinking and strong industry partnerships, we'd love to hear from you.