Air Import Team Leader

Right Now Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic logistics company is seeking an experienced Air Import Team Leader to oversee airfreight operations in Greater London. The role involves leading a team to ensure high-quality service, managing import shipments, and ensuring compliance with HMRC and Border Force regulations. Ideal candidates should have 3-5 years of experience in airfreight import operations and strong leadership skills. The position offers competitive salary rates of £40,000 to £45,000 with a shift pattern of 4 on 4 off.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in airfreight import operations.
• Strong understanding of customs processes and entries.
• Team leadership or supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support a small airfreight operations team.
• Manage airfreight import shipments from origin through to final delivery.
• Ensure full compliance with ETSF procedures and HMRC / Border Force regulations.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Strong organisational and administrative abilities

High attention to detail and accuracy

Ability to perform under pressure in a high-volume environment

Positive attitude with strong problem-solving skills

Confident decision-making based on sound judgment

3-5 years' experience in airfreight import operations

Knowledge of ETSF and HMRC / Border Force regulations

Proficiency in MS Office and internal logistics systems

Job description

Overview

Right Now Group are seeking an experienced Air Import Team Leader to lead and support a small, fast-paced airfreight operations team. This is a hands-on role requiring strong operational knowledge, leadership capability, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to customers, clients, and agents.

You will be responsible for overseeing daily import operations, ensuring compliance with HMRC / Border Force regulations, resolving issues efficiently, and fostering a high-performance, collaborative team environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and support a small airfreight operations team to consistently deliver high-quality work
• Coach, mentor, and train team members, including updates on regulatory and internal procedures
• Allocate and oversee daily workloads; ensure operational cover during holidays and sickness
• Conduct daily and weekly team meetings; escalate issues to management where required
• Promote a proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused team culture
• Manage airfreight import shipments from origin through to final delivery
• Ensure full compliance with ETSF procedures and HMRC / Border Force regulations
• Monitor arrivals, trigger points, discrepancies, amendments, and claims
• Carry out regular warehouse walk-throughs and bond checks; document and resolve any discrepancies
• Maintain and update customer and supplier records within internal systems
• Lead and participate in cross-departmental meetings with Transport, Warehouse, and Customer Service teams
• Deliver high-level customer service through clear, professional communication
• Handle and resolve queries from customers, suppliers, and overseas agents
• Ensure efficient and effective communication within the team and with external stakeholders
• Develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs tailored to specific customer requirements)
• Conduct monthly audits of ETSF paperwork and customs entries
• Keep the team informed of all HMRC / Border Force regulatory changes
• Maintain dashboards and internal records with accurate, up-to-date shipment and compliance data
• Ensure all procedural updates are documented and communicated effectively

Shift

4 on 4 off

Hours: 07:00 to 19:00

Salary: £40,000 to 45,000

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organisational and administrative abilities
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to perform under pressure in a high-volume environment
• Positive, proactive attitude with strong problem-solving skills
• Confident decision-making based on sound judgment
• 3-5 years' experience in airfreight import operations
• Strong understanding of customs processes and entries
• Knowledge of ETSF and HMRC / Border Force regulations
• Team leadership or supervisory experience
• Proficiency in MS Office and internal logistics systems