Airfreight Operations Apprentice

DHL; Upper Morton; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 16,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading logistics company in the UK is seeking an Airfreight Operations Specialist to manage customer relationships and ensure compliance with export/import regulations. The role involves processing shipments, handling inquiries, and maintaining financial records. Candidates should have GCSE English and Maths or equivalent, strong communication skills, and a willingness to learn. This position offers a starting salary of £14,918.80, with opportunities for growth and training in international freight forwarding.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths (minimum grade C/4) or equivalent required.
• Strong communication skills and attention to detail are essential.
• Willingness to learn continuously is important.

Responsibilities

• Develop relationships with allocated customers.
• Process orders and bookings for shipments.
• Ensure compliance with export/import requirements.
• Manage customer inquiries and provide updates on shipments.
• Handle financial inputs related to job files.

Skills

Communication skills

IT skills

Attention to detail

Organisation

Customer care

Administrative skills

Numerical skills

Team working

Education

GCSE English and Maths (minimum grade C/4) or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Our Airfreight Operations Specialist works alongside colleagues throughout the UK to support the administration of processes and activities to deliver goods across the customer\'s global supply chain; utilising air transportation, maximising profitability and optimising business and human assets in line with business strategy and objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develops relationship with allocated customers
• Accepts all orders (from customer or overseas office) and processes such as creating and confirming transport orders to ensure pickup of the shipment at origin
• Process all bookings to carriers and issue HAWB instructions; run checks on HAWB prior to acceptance/print
• Complete all Export/Import HMRC requirements; ensure compliance with varying country security needs (AMS/ACI, etc.)
• Prepare, control and distribute all required Import/Export documents to counterparts (carriers, consignee, supplier) in compliance with regulations and internal procedures
• Check responses from counterparts and finalise validation of required documents
• Inform customers proactively on shipment status and exceptions; provide intermediate updates on incident resolution
• Provide spot quotations and close contracts; perform up- and cross-selling for existing customers and pass on leads to Sales
• Handle customer inquiries (e.g., Track and Trace) and Go Green topics; inform Country Go Green Head as needed
• Review reports and share with customers; take and register customer complaints and drive resolution
• Act as first contact point for customer claims; participate in joint Sales visits if necessary
• Comply with GCCS input guidelines with root-cause input and corrective action closure
• Complete all financial input relating to job files (billing/cost provisions/printing of billing, invoices to customers and posting/distribution with required backups)
• Manage and control daily workflow; take ownership of account queries and ensure prompt, professional responses
• Escalate issues as required; ensure all interactions comply with DPDHL Code of Conduct and other compliance requirements
• Freight forwarding services selected based on customer requirements, considering country-specific factors, delivery times and modes
• Use generic or bespoke ICT systems to enter and monitor data on importing or exporting goods; book, plan and monitor international shipments
• Prepare customs declarations to national standards or provide clearance instructions to a third party; use data systems to submit information to customs authorities
• Produce freight costings and invoices in line with Incoterms, customer profile or sales contract; identify and source data from customers, systems or colleagues
• Identify and resolve problems; create and maintain productive working relationships with internal and external customers
• Adapt communication to the situation and audience; communicate in writing and verbally on technical matters
• Use and adapt terminology appropriate to air, ocean and road freight industries; select and use documentation accordingly

Qualifications & Skills

• GCSE English and Maths (minimum grade C/4) or equivalent where applicable; other relevant qualifications and industry experience welcomed
• Communication skills, IT skills, attention to detail, organisation, customer care, administrative skills, numerical skills, team working
• Willingness to learn continuously

Apprenticeship Details

• Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment
• For those with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement, the apprenticeships English and mathematics minimum requirement is Entry Level 3
• Allocation of an apprenticeship delivery coach who will carry out regular training
• Assessment and support visits to ensure you acquire new learning, knowledge, skills and behaviours
• Identify, track and support 6 hours of off-the-job training activities
• Quarterly formal progress review meetings, identifying learning achievements and next steps

Compensation & Schedule

• Salary: £14,918.80 for the first year, with potential increases depending on age; salary increases to £15,600 from April 2026, with review after 12 months
• Training course: International freight forwarding specialist (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm (38 hours per week)
• Start date: Monday 23 February 2026; Duration: 1 year 6 months

Note: DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is one of the five DHL divisions within DPDHL Group. DGF UK specialises in shipping freight by air and sea. We are a market leader in airfreight and a top performer in ocean freight with over 30,000 employees across more than 200 countries. In the UK, we have over 1,000 colleagues across office, warehouse and transport roles, handling goods and customs formalities.