FREIGHT AND LOGISTICS MANAGER - D2C FASHION BRAND

The Couture Club; Manchester; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Couture Club, a premium D2C fashion brand based in Manchester, is seeking an experienced Freight & Logistics Manager to own end-to-end movement of product across the supply chain. You will oversee international and domestic freight, collaborate with suppliers, freight forwarders, couriers, customs partners and internal teams to ensure timely delivery at optimal cost.

This role combines hands-on operations with strategic development to scale logistics as the business grows.

Qualifications

• 5+ years' experience in freight, logistics, supply chain or international shipping.
• Experience managing international inbound and outbound freight.
• Strong knowledge of freight forwarding, shipping methods and logistics operations.
• Experience negotiating with freight forwarders, couriers and logistics providers.
• Excellent Excel/data analysis skills for large datasets.
• Experience using ERP, WMS, TMS or logistics/shipping systems.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day inbound and outbound freight management across UK and international markets.
• Negotiate freight rates, service agreements and terms with logistics providers.
• Coordinate air, sea, road and courier freight to optimize cost and service.
• Monitor carrier performance against SLAs and KPIs; troubleshoot issues.
• Develop freight plans around product launches and seasonal drops.
• Provide visibility of inbound stock and delays to stakeholders.

Skills

Freight & Logistics

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Excel

Stakeholder management

Project management

ERP

WMS

TMS

Tools

ERP

WMS

TMS

Job description

Competitive salary dependent on experience

Manchester

Reports to: Managing Director / Warehouse

About The Couture Club

The Couture Club is a successful, fast-growing premium D2C fashion brand headquartered in Manchester. With a strong customer following and an ambitious growth trajectory, the business is continuing to scale its product range, international reach and operational infrastructure.

As the business grows, we're looking for an experienced Freight & Logistics Manager to take ownership of the end-to-end movement of product across our supply chain — ensuring stock arrives on time, at the right cost and to the right destination, while maintaining the premium customer experience The Couture Club is known for.

This is a key role within the wider operations function, suited to someone who combines strong freight and logistics expertise with commercial awareness, excellent organisational skills and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, high-growth fashion environment.

The Role

As Freight & Logistics Manager, you will be responsible for managing and optimising the movement of goods from suppliers through to warehouses & wholesale accounts.

You will oversee international and domestic freight activity, working closely with suppliers, freight forwarders, couriers, customs partners, warehouses and internal teams across Buying, Merchandising, Finance, E-commerce and Operations.

The role will suit an experienced logistics professional who is comfortable being hands-on while also taking a strategic view of how the function needs to evolve as the business scales.

You will be expected to identify opportunities to improve service levels, reduce freight costs, increase visibility and build a more resilient and scalable logistics operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day management of inbound and outbound freight across the UK and international markets.
• Manage relationships with freight forwarders, couriers, shipping agents and other logistics partners.
• Coordinate air, sea, road and courier freight, selecting the most appropriate and commercially effective method.
• Negotiate freight rates, service agreements and commercial terms with logistics providers.
• Monitor carrier performance against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
• Proactively manage delays, disruptions, shortages, damages and other freight-related issues.
• Ensure freight bookings are accurately planned around production, launch and delivery schedules.
• Optimise shipping routes, consolidation opportunities and modes of transport.

International Logistics & Customs

• Manage international shipping processes across key global markets.
• Ensure all import and export activity is compliant with relevant customs and regulatory requirements.
• Work closely with customs brokers and freight partners to ensure accurate and timely clearance.
• Maintain accurate documentation, including commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates and shipping documentation.
• Monitor duties, taxes, tariffs and other landed costs.
• Identify opportunities to improve international freight efficiency and reduce unnecessary customs and logistics costs.
• Stay up to date with changes to customs legislation, international trade requirements and shipping regulations.

Supply Chain Coordination

• Work closely with Buying, Merchandising and suppliers to understand production and delivery timelines, being an integral part of the Companies Critical Path.
• Build accurate freight plans around seasonal launches, product drops and promotional activity.
• Track purchase orders and shipments from origin through to final destination.
• Provide clear visibility of inbound stock and potential delays to relevant stakeholders.
• Escalate risks early and develop contingency plans where required.
• Collaborate with warehouse and fulfilment partners to ensure smooth receipt and onward distribution of stock.

Cost & Commercial Management

• Own and monitor the freight and logistics budget.
• Analyse freight spend, landed costs and cost-per-unit metrics.
• Identify opportunities to reduce logistics costs without compromising service levels.
• Review and benchmark supplier and carrier pricing.
• Produce regular reporting on freight spend, performance and variances.
• Support forecasting and budgeting for future freight requirements.
• Challenge existing processes and suppliers where better commercial outcomes can be achieved.
• Develop and maintain key logistics KPIs and performance dashboards.
• Monitor metrics including freight cost, transit times, OTIF delivery, carrier performance, shipment accuracy and claims.
• Analyse logistics data to identify trends, inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Introduce improved processes, systems and controls as the business scales.
• Improve shipment visibility and tracking across the supply chain.
• Lead logistics improvement projects and support the implementation of new technology where appropriate.
• Establish scalable processes capable of supporting significant future business growth.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams and external logistics partners.
• Act as the key point of contact for freight and logistics matters.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Manage supplier and logistics partner performance, resolving issues professionally and effectively.
• Work cross-functionally to ensure logistics supports commercial priorities and customer expectations.

About You

We're looking for an experienced freight and logistics professional who has worked within a fast-paced retail, fashion, e-commerce, FMCG or similarly high-volume consumer environment.

You will be commercially minded, highly organised and comfortable managing multiple shipments, suppliers and priorities simultaneously.

You'll ideally have:

• 5+ years' experience in freight, logistics, supply chain or international shipping.
• Proven experience managing international inbound and outbound freight.
• Strong knowledge of freight forwarding, shipping methods and logistics operations.
• Experience working with international suppliers and multiple territories.
• Strong understanding of customs, import/export processes and international trade.
• Experience negotiating with freight forwarders, couriers and logistics providers.
• Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to understand and challenge freight costs.
• Excellent Excel/data analysis skills and confidence working with large volumes of information.
• Experience using ERP, WMS, TMS or logistics/shipping systems.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• The ability to prioritise and remain calm in a high-pressure, rapidly changing environment.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach rather than simply reacting to problems.
• The ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across the wider business.

Experience within a premium fashion, D2C, e-commerce or rapidly scaling consumer brand would be highly advantageous.

Additional experience in any of the following would be beneficial:

• International expansion and multi-territory distribution.
• Supplier Critical Path Management.
• Import duty and landed-cost optimisation.
• 3PL management.
• Customs and compliance.
• Freight tendering and contract negotiation.
• Peak trading and promotional planning.
• Logistics technology and automation.
• Sustainability and carbon reduction within logistics.

What Success Looks Like

Within your first 12 months, you will have:

• Established clear ownership and visibility across the freight operation.
• Improved on-time and in-full inbound delivery performance.
• Built strong, accountable relationships with key freight and logistics partners.
• Identified and delivered meaningful freight cost efficiencies.
• Improved shipment tracking and reporting.
• Strengthened customs and import/export processes.
• Developed robust logistics planning around product launches and peak trading periods.
• Introduced scalable processes capable of supporting The Couture Club's continued international growth.
• Created a more proactive and data-led approach to freight and logistics management.

Why Join The Couture Club?

This is an exciting opportunity to join a successful Manchester-based fashion brand at a pivotal stage of its growth.

You'll have genuine ownership of a critical part of the operation and the opportunity to shape how freight and logistics develops as the business continues to scale nationally and internationally.

The role offers the chance to make a tangible commercial impact — improving cost, service, speed and operational resilience while helping deliver an exceptional experience to The Couture Club's customers.