Cargo Handling Manager

gandwukeurope; Southampton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Life insurance from day 1

25 days annual leave

Job summary

Freightliner is seeking a Cargo Handling Manager in Southampton to lead the day-to-day operations of the Cargo Handling Yard. You will ensure safe, efficient and compliant handling of all cargo, manage resources, and drive cost-efficient performance while delivering excellent service to customers.

You will lead a high-performing team, monitor budgets and KPIs, and foster a culture of safety, continuous improvement, and stakeholder engagement across the operation.

Qualifications

• Experience in cargo handling or logistics operations management.
• Strong leadership experience with teams in safety-critical environments.
• Financial awareness with ability to interpret budgets and cost performance.
• Excellent communication, reporting and business correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and engage staff in a fast-paced setting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day cargo handling operations at Southampton Yard.
• Ensure safe, efficient and cost-effective yard management.
• Maintain service standards, budgets and KPIs; drive improvements.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team with a culture of safety.

Skills

Cargo handling experience

Leadership

Budget management

Process improvement

Safety leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication

Job description

Freightliner is a leading UK intermodal logistics provider, offering rail, road and terminal solutions that connect ports, inland terminals and customer destinations across the UK. Through innovation, safety and sustainability, Freightliner delivers reliable, efficient and lower‑carbon supply chain solutions for its customers.

In the UK the Freightliner Group operates under a number of legal entities including, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.

Job title: Cargo Handling Manager

Location : Southampton (SO15 1AW)

Position Type: Permanent, full-time

Hours of work: 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday

Why join us?

• Competitive salary & benefits: We offer a competitive compensation package, including a pension scheme, life insurance from day 1, 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays).
• Career development and progression: We provide regular training and career development opportunities to help you progress your career with us. You will have access to a range of external courses and in‑house training programmes to support skill development and build confidence in your role.
• Award-winning safety culture: Join a business recognised for excellence and innovation, where safety is always our top priority.
• Family friendly benefits: We offer enhanced maternity and paternity pay and are proud to be Work180 endorsed employer.
• Employee well‑being and support: Access our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), along with an employee benefits platform offering discounts and vouchers across a wide range of brands and retailers, a cycle to work scheme, car lease scheme, technology scheme and discounted gym membership.

The role

With a new state of art infrastructure and recent investment in Vehicle Booking System (VBS) and technology, we are looking for the right individual to join and support our Cargo team in Southampton.

As a Cargo Handling Manager, you will be responsible for the safe, efficient, and cost‑effective management of the Southampton Cargo Handling Yard operation. You will ensure compliance with Group HSSE policies and procedures, deliver excellent customer service, achieve financial and operational targets, and lead, develop, and engage employees to drive outstanding performance.

Key responsibilities

• Responsible for the day‑to‑day running of Cargo Handling operations.
• Oversee all aspects of cargo handling operations, ensuring the safe, efficient and effective movement, storage and handling of cargo.
• Ensure sufficient resource is in place to deliver business demands and maintain agreed service standards.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high‑performing team, fostering a culture of accountability, safety and continuous improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across operational performance, customer service, quality and safety.
• Act as a visible leader for safety, ensuring compliance with all health, safety and environmental standards and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor departmental performance, budgets and KPIs to deliver operational and financial objectives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customers, contractors and key stakeholders.
• Monitor departmental performance against budgets, KPIs and service standards, taking action to improve efficiency and control costs.

About you

• Proven experience in cargo handling, terminal, yard or logistics operations management, with strong leadership experience and a sound understanding of haulage, port and shipping line operations.
• Financially aware with the ability to interpret profit and loss accounts, manage budgets and analyse cost performance.
• A continuous improvement mindset with experience in process design, implementation and operational optimisation.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to produce concise and accurate reports, presentations and business correspondence.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, develop and engage teams within a fast‑paced, safety‑critical environment.
• Strong customer service and stakeholder management skills.
• A visible and credible leader who leads by example, acts with integrity, professionalism and a strong commitment to safety.
• Sound knowledge of health, safety and environmental requirements, with experience of promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring compliance with operational standards.

About us

Freightliner is an established rail freight and road logistics provider with operations across the UK. We are offering customers a wide range of rail freight solutions to cater for the requirements of a diverse market sector, we provide a safe, reliable and cost‑effective rail freight partnership.

In the UK the Freightliner operates under a number of legal entities including, Freightliner Ltd, Pentalver Transport Ltd, and Pentalver Cannock Ltd.

At the core of all we do are our employees. Their hard work is fundamental to our success and we are equally committed to their growth and safety. Our commitment to you, once you jo