Air Freight Export Operator/Supervisor

Manifest Recruitment Limited; Poyle; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Manifest Recruitment Limited is recruiting on behalf of a well-established International Freight Forwarding client for an experienced Air Freight Export Operator/Supervisor near Colnbrook.

The role requires ideally 5+ years in the industry with CDS Export experience and the ability to manage airfreight exports from start to finish.

Working hours are Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:30, and driving/own transport is expected to travel to the site.

Qualifications

• Strong organisational and time-management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication with customers and colleagues.
• Professional telephone manner and high level of customer service.
• Reliable and punctual with attendance and hours.
• Excellent attention to detail in documentation and customs data.
• Good problem-solving to keep shipments moving and on time.
• Proficient with MS Office, especially Excel and Outlook.
• Positive, proactive attitude and adaptability to priorities.
• Willingness to learn and develop in the role.
• Maintains professional conduct and customer care standards.

Responsibilities

• Manage airfreight export from start to finish and monitor progress.
• Contact shippers and arrange collections.
• Cut MAWBs/HAWBs, knowledge of country rules and airline requirements.
• Negotiate with airlines to maximise margins.
• Complete customs entries and handle export procedures.
• Use the client’s customs software for documentation.
• Provide quotations and understand current market rates.
• Maintain high levels of customer service and post-flight updates.
• Identify issues early and implement practical solutions.
• Communicate professionally with customers, agents and internal teams.

Skills

Organisational skills

Time management

Communication skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Teamwork

Proactive attitude

Learnability

Professional conduct

Driving / transport readiness

Tools

Microsoft Office

Excel

Outlook

Word

Job description

Air Freight Export Operator/Supervisor

Location: Colnbrook
Reporting to: Operations Director

We are recruiting on behalf of our client, a well-established International Freight Forwarding Company, for an experienced Air Freight Export Operator/Supervisor.

THE ROLE

Air Export Operator.

• Ideally 5+ years' experience in the industry.
• CDS Export experience — full capability.
• No more than 2 jobs in the last 5 years.

OVERVIEW

Our client is an International Freight Forwarding Company with a long-established history, providing transportation and consultancy services. Built on robust and sound business practices, the company has grown and evolved through several worldwide economic business cycles. Despite advances in paperless trading, this remains a person-oriented industry, and our client's staff are a highly valued resource, greatly appreciated by their clients. Every client knows there is a dedicated professional looking after their interests.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

The successful candidate will need to demonstrate the following skills, qualities and attributes:

• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage a busy workload and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the confidence to communicate clearly and professionally with customers, suppliers, airlines, overseas agents and internal colleagues.
• A professional and courteous telephone manner, with the ability to handle enquiries efficiently and provide a consistently high level of customer service.
• Reliable and punctual, with excellent timekeeping and a responsible approach to attendance and working hours.
• Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring that documentation, Customs information, shipment details and customer instructions are completed accurately.
• Good day-to-day problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues, use initiative and find practical solutions to keep shipments moving and minimise delays.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word and Outlook, with the ability to create and maintain accurate records, spreadsheets, documents and email correspondence.
• A positive, proactive and adaptable attitude, with a willingness to support colleagues and respond constructively to changing priorities.
• Eager to learn and develop, with the ability to absorb new information, systems, processes and industry requirements.
• A professional approach to work, maintaining appropriate standards of conduct, presentation, confidentiality and customer care.
• Able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, taking ownership of tasks while contributing to the wider department.
• Calm and resilient under pressure, with the ability to manage multiple priorities without compromising accuracy or service levels.
• Due to the location and/or working hours of the role, the successful candidate must be able to drive and have reliable transport to travel to and from the workplace.

JOB SPECIFICATION — AIRFREIGHT EXPORT

The successful candidate will be able to manage and complete an airfreight export job from start to finish, including:

• Contacting shippers.
• Arranging collections.
• Cutting MAWBs and HAWBs while demonstrating knowledge of country requirements, IATA rates and airline requirements, including operator variations and promotional references.
• Negotiating with airlines to achieve maximum margins.
• Completing Customs entries and demonstrating knowledge of more complex procedure codes, including IPR, bonded shipments and export licensing.
• Using our client's Customs software.
• Providing quotations and demonstrating an understanding of current market rates.
• Maintaining high levels of customer service throughout, including providing agents with post-flight information and departure advice.
• Applying strong day-to-day problem-solving skills, proactively identifying issues as they arise and finding practical, effective solutions to ensure shipments progress smoothly.
• Providing a reliable safety net to ensure that nothing is overlooked or missed.
• Working effectively within a fast-paced environment while maintaining strong email management and prompt response times.
• Communicating confidently and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of external customers, agents and internal stakeholders.

Additional desirable qualifications:

• Dangerous Goods training.
• Aviation Security training up to CO (Cargo Operative) level.

Salary: Market competitive. Working hours: Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:30