Air Export Procurement Manager

Right Now Recruitment; Sunbury-on-Thames; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Right Now Group in Sunbury-on-Thames is recruiting an experienced Air Export Procurement Manager for a growing international Freight Forwarder. You will take commercial ownership of airline relationships, negotiate rates, and optimise capacity across key trade lanes to protect margins.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in Air Freight or Freight Forwarding, with proven experience negotiating with airlines and managing capacity such as AKEs and ULDs.

Qualifications

• Strong background within Air Freight, Air Cargo or Freight Forwarding.
• Experience negotiating airline rates, capacity and commercial agreements.
• Excellent understanding of airline capacity, allocations and international flight operations.
• Existing relationships with Heathrow airline and air cargo community is advantageous.
• Experience with ecommerce, courier or high-volume air freight is advantageous but not essential.
• Candidates from Air Freight Commercial, Procurement, Pricing, Gateway or Trade Lane backgrounds would be considered.

Responsibilities

• Take commercial ownership of key airline and carrier relationships.
• Negotiate competitive airline rates, allocations and commercial agreements.
• Manage and review airline capacity and space allocations across trade lanes.
• Work closely with Air Export Operations to understand forecasted and live shipment volumes.
• Monitor buying rates and support the business in protecting and improving shipment margins.
• Develop relationships with new airlines and identify additional commercial opportunities.

Skills

Air Freight

Airline Negotiations

Capacity Management

Relationship Building

Commercial Acumen

Job description

Right Now Group are recruiting for an experienced Air Export Procurement Manager on behalf of a growing international Freight Forwarder based in Sunbury.

The business handles a mixture of international Air Freight including eCommerce, courier and time-critical shipments, with significant volumes moving across key global trade lanes.

Key Responsibilities of an Air Export Procurement Manager

• Take commercial ownership of key airline and carrier relationships.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with airline representatives, commercial teams and capacity contacts.
• Negotiate competitive airline rates, allocations and commercial agreements.
• Manage and review airline capacity and space allocations across key international trade lanes.
• Work closely with Air Export Operations to understand forecasted and live shipment volumes.
• Manage the utilisation of airline space, including AKE capacity, against planned volumes and flight schedules.
• Identify potential capacity shortages and secure additional or alternative airline space when required.
• Review airline performance, rates, routing options and available capacity.
• Negotiate ad-hoc rates and additional capacity directly with airlines.
• Develop alternative carrier and routing solutions where required.
• Monitor buying rates and support the business in protecting and improving shipment margins.
• Develop relationships with new airlines and identify additional commercial opportunities.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the Air Freight market, airline capacity and changing market conditions.

Skills & Experience Required for an Air Export Procurement Manager

• Strong background within Air Freight, Air Cargo or Freight Forwarding.
• Excellent understanding of airline capacity, allocations and international flight operations.
• Experience dealing directly with airlines and airline representatives.
• Strong existing relationships within the Heathrow airline and air cargo community would be highly advantageous.
• Experience negotiating airfreight rates, capacity and commercial agreements.
• Good understanding of AKEs, ULDs and airline capacity management.
• Confident communicator and negotiator capable of developing long‑term airline relationships.
• Experience within eCommerce, courier or high-volume Air Freight would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Candidates from Air Freight Commercial, Procurement, Pricing, Gateway, Trade Lane, Air Product or senior Air Freight Operations backgrounds would all be considered.

Salary & Benefits for an Air Export Procurement Manager

• Salary: £40,000 - £60,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:30 - 18:00.
• Work closely with senior management as the business continues to grow.

If you're currently working within Air Freight Commercial Management, Airline Procurement, Air Freight Pricing, Gateway Operations, Trade Lane Management, Air Product or senior Air Freight Operations and have strong relationships with airlines, we'd be particularly interested in speaking with you.

Suitable candidates will be contacted within 24 hours.