Export & Cross Trade Operator

Job Advert; Basildon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Job Advert in Laindon is seeking an experienced Export & Cross Trade Operator to manage day-to-day export and cross-trade operations across sea, air and road freight. The role emphasizes accurate documentation, timely shipments and strong customer relationships to deliver cost-effective solutions.

Key duties include coordinating bookings, liaising with overseas agents and carriers, preparing invoices, and ensuring compliance with export regulations.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in freight forwarding, ideally within export operations and cross trade.
• Good understanding of multi-modal freight including sea and air.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full life-cycle of export bookings, including general export enquiries, shipment coordination and cross-trade movements.
• Coordinate multi-modal shipments across sea, air and road freight, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Arrange collections, overseas deliveries and the preparation and management of customs documentation.
• Create and maintain accurate shipment records within L Base, ensuring all job details and operational information are up to date.
• Liaise with overseas agents, carriers, third-party logistics providers, customs authorities and internal departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Monitor shipment progress and pro-actively resolve any operational issues or delays.
• Deliver excellent customer service by understanding client requirements and meeting, or exceeding, expectations.
• Support sales leads and contribute to developing new business opportunities with existing and prospective customers.
• Assist the sales team with B2B initiatives, accurate data entry, shipment updates and logistical support.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers and overseas partners.
• Negotiate competitive rates and terms with carriers, suppliers and logistics partners while maintaining high service standards.
• Ensure all job costs are accurately recorded in L Base.
• Prepare and issue export and cross-trade invoices promptly and accurately.Liaise with the accounts department to resolve sales and cost queries.
• Work closely with the Branch Manager and colleagues to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Ensure all shipments comply with relevant export regulations, customs requirements and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of export transactions, shipment statuses and compliance documentation for audit purposes.
• Support the development of supply chain processes to improve efficiency and reduce lead times.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the department, particularly during peak periods and holiday cover.
• Provide operational support across other areas of the business when required.
• Assist with the training and development of new team members.

Job description

Export & Cross Trade Operator

Location: Laindon
Job Type:Full-time / Permanent

One of our clients is looking for a proactive, organised and customer-focused Multi-Modal Export & Cross Trade Operator

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced freight forwarding professional who thrives in a fast-paced logistics environment, enjoys building strong customer relationships and understands the importance of delivering efficient, cost-effective and reliable export solutions.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing day-to-day export and cross-trade operations across sea, air and road freight, ensuring shipments are handled efficiently, compliantly and to the highest standards of customer service.

Key Responsibilities

Export & Cross-Trade Operations

• Manage the full life-cycle of export bookings, including general export enquiries, shipment coordination and cross-trade movements.
• Coordinate multi-modal shipments across sea, air and road freight, ensuring timely and cost-effective delivery.
• Arrange collections, overseas deliveries and the preparation and management of customs documentation.
• Create and maintain accurate shipment records within L Base, ensuring all job details and operational information are up to date.
• Liaise with overseas agents, carriers, third-party logistics providers, customs authorities and internal departments to ensure smooth operations.
• Monitor shipment progress and pro-actively resolve any operational issues or delays.

Customer Service & Business Development

• Deliver excellent customer service by understanding client requirements and meeting, or exceeding, expectations.
• Support sales leads and contribute to developing new business opportunities with existing and prospective customers.
• Assist the sales team with B2B initiatives, accurate data entry, shipment updates and logistical support.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with customers, suppliers and overseas partners.

Commercial & Financial Management

• Negotiate competitive rates and terms with carriers, suppliers and logistics partners while maintaining high service standards.
• Ensure all job costs are accurately recorded in L Base.
• Prepare and issue export and cross-trade invoices promptly and accurately.Liaise with the accounts department to resolve sales and cost queries.
• Work closely with the Branch Manager and colleagues to improve profitability and operational efficiency.

Compliance & Administration

• Ensure all shipments comply with relevant export regulations, customs requirements and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of export transactions, shipment statuses and compliance documentation for audit purposes.
• Support the development of supply chain processes to improve efficiency and reduce lead times.

Teamwork & Support

• Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure the smooth running of the department, particularly during peak periods and holiday cover.
• Provide operational support across other areas of the business when required.
• Assist with the training and development of new team members.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who has:

• Previous experience in freight forwarding, ideally within export operations and cross trade.
• A good understanding of multi-modal freight, including sea, air