Air Freight Supervisor/ Manager

First Call Contract Services Limited; Sunbury-on-Thames, Shepperton; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

First Call Contract Services Limited in Sunbury-on-Thames is seeking an experienced Air Freight Capacity Supervisor / Manager to oversee air freight capacity, airline relationships and day-to-day export operations in a hands-on supervisory role.

The successful candidate will have strong experience in air freight, export logistics or freight forwarding, with expertise in airline capacity management, allocations, forecasting and export documentation.

Qualifications

• Previous experience within air freight, export logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain or a similar logistics environment.
• Strong knowledge of air freight operations, airline capacity and allocation management.
• Experience managing airline relationships and negotiating space, rates or capacity.
• Previous experience with volume forecasting and forward capacity planning.
• Strong understanding of export documentation, customs procedures and international shipping requirements.
• Experience using the CDS customs entry system.
• Previous supervisory, team-leading or management experience would be advantageous.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise competing workloads and remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify cost-effective freight solutions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to liaise with airlines, customers, suppliers, customs authorities and internal stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to resolving operational issues.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and relevant logistics/freight management systems.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, support and provide guidance to the team, ensuring daily tasks are completed accurately and within required deadlines.
• Monitor and audit completed work and documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance and adherence to company procedures.
• Manage airline relationships, including space allocation, bookings and capacity requirements.
• Negotiate and manage airline capacity, including block space agreements, rates and allocations directly with carriers.
• Monitor available capacity and identify potential shortages, delays or offloads at an early stage.
• Secure alternative airlines, routes or solutions where required to minimise disruption.
• Arrange the movement of freight using the most efficient and commercially viable transportation options.
• Complete daily volume forecasting and forward planning, using historical client data and current volumes to anticipate future airline and transport requirements.
• Liaise with internal teams to coordinate transport and distribution schedules and ensure agreed delivery times are achieved.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with airlines, freight forwarders, transport providers, customs authorities and other logistics partners.
• Complete and audit customs entries using the CDS customs entry system.
• Ensure all export documentation is accurate, compliant and submitted within the required timescales.
• Maintain accurate records of export transactions, customs entries and supporting documentation.
• Investigate and resolve customs, capacity, routing or shipment-related issues promptly.
• Work closely with internal departments to ensure export, air freight and transport activities operate smoothly.
• Monitor service levels and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the department, maintaining high standards of accuracy, compliance and customer service.
• Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring to team members where required.

Job description

Air Freight Capacity Supervisor / Manager

Location: Sunbury-on-Thames
Salary: £40,000 – £50,000 per annum, depending on experience
Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am – 6:00pm
Contract Type: Permanent, Full-time

About the Role

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Air Freight Capacity Supervisor / Manager to join a busy and growing logistics operation.

This is a hands-on supervisory/management position, responsible for overseeing air freight capacity, airline relationships, allocations and day-to-day export operations. You will play a key role in ensuring freight is moved efficiently, cost-effectively and within agreed service levels, while also providing leadership and support to the wider team.

The successful candidate will have strong experience within air freight, export logistics or freight forwarding, with a good understanding of airline capacity management, allocations, forecasting, customs procedures and international shipping documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, support and provide guidance to the team, ensuring daily tasks are completed accurately and within required deadlines.
• Monitor and audit completed work and documentation to ensure accuracy, compliance and adherence to company procedures.
• Manage airline relationships, including space allocation, bookings and capacity requirements.
• Negotiate and manage airline capacity, including block space agreements, rates and allocations directly with carriers.
• Monitor available capacity and identify potential shortages, delays or offloads at an early stage.
• Secure alternative airlines, routes or solutions where required to minimise disruption.
• Arrange the movement of freight using the most efficient and commercially viable transportation options.
• Complete daily volume forecasting and forward planning, using historical client data and current volumes to anticipate future airline and transport requirements.
• Liaise with internal teams to coordinate transport and distribution schedules and ensure agreed delivery times are achieved.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with airlines, freight forwarders, transport providers, customs authorities and other logistics partners.
• Complete and audit customs entries using the CDS customs entry system.
• Ensure all export documentation is accurate, compliant and submitted within the required timescales.
• Maintain accurate records of export transactions, customs entries and supporting documentation.
• Investigate and resolve customs, capacity, routing or shipment-related issues promptly.
• Work closely with internal departments to ensure export, air freight and transport activities operate smoothly.
• Monitor service levels and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the department, maintaining high standards of accuracy, compliance and customer service.
• Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring to team members where required.

Skills & Experience Required

• Previous experience within air freight, export logistics, freight forwarding, supply chain or a similar logistics environment.
• Strong knowledge of air freight operations, airline capacity and allocation management.
• Experience managing airline relationships and negotiating space, rates or capacity.
• Previous experience with volume forecasting and forward capacity planning.
• Strong understanding of export documentation, customs procedures and international shipping requirements.
• Experience using the CDS customs entry system.
• Previous supervisory, team-leading or management experience would be advantageous.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with a strong attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritise competing workloads and remain calm and effective under pressure.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify cost-effective freight solutions.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the confidence to liaise with airlines, customers, suppliers, customs authorities and internal stakeholders.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to resolving operational issues.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and relevant logistics/freight management systems.

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for someone who is hands-on, commercially aware and operationally strong, with the confidence to take ownership of air freight capacity and airline relationships.

This could suit an experienced Air Freight Supervisor, Air Freight Manager, Capacity Manager, Air Freight Team Leader or experienced Export Supervisor who is looking for their next opportunity within a busy international logistics environment.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment, making decisions quickly and building strong relationships with airlines and logistics partners.