Freight Forwarder

Personnel Link Employment Group Ltd; Basildon; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Personnel Link Employment Group Ltd in Basildon is seeking a Freight Forwarder to focus on ocean import operations from start to finish, delivering excellent customer service.

You will coordinate shipments, handle customs entries, invoicing and costing, and ensure documentation is accurate and timely. This role suits someone with freight forwarding or international logistics experience who can work with customers and internal teams to keep shipments moving smoothly.

Qualifications

• Experience in freight forwarding, shipping, import operations or international logistics.
• Ocean import experience would be an advantage.
• An understanding of customs procedures and shipping documentation.
• Good customer service and communication skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships.
• Strong organisation and attention to detail, particularly when handling time-sensitive shipments and paperwork.
• Confidence using IT systems and Microsoft Office.
• The ability to follow procedures, manage deadlines and resolve operational issues.
• A team-focused approach, with an interest in maintaining service quality and controlling costs.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end ocean import forwarding activities, from shipment coordination through to delivery.
• Arrange clearances, transport, quotations and deliveries, ensuring shipments progress efficiently.
• Prepare and process customs entries, job costing and customer invoices within required deadlines.
• Update shipment milestones and maintain accurate records using internal systems and Microsoft Office.
• Follow SOPs, service targets and KPIs.
• Liaise with customers, suppliers and internal teams to resolve queries and keep shipments on track.
• Prepare internal and customer reports, ensuring deadlines and compliance requirements are met.
• Support month-end processes, cost control and operational reporting.
• Help review freight rates and identify opportunities to improve processes and service.
• Build strong customer relationships and support customer reviews and account development.
• Work closely with senior forwarders, the operations manager and other team members to maintain high standards.

Skills

Freight forwarding experience

Ocean import operations

Customer service

Customs procedures knowledge

IT systems proficiency

Microsoft Office

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

GCSEs or equivalent education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Freight Forwarder

Location: Basildon

Salary: £27,000 to £33,000 per annum

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm

About the Role

Our client, an established freight forwarding company, is looking for a Freight Forwarder to join their team in Basildon. This role focuses on ocean import operations, coordinating shipments from start to finish while providing excellent customer service and ensuring all documentation, customs entries and invoicing are completed accurately and on time.

This is an opportunity for someone with experience in freight forwarding, shipping or international logistics who enjoys working with customers, solving problems and keeping shipments moving smoothly. Experience in ocean freight is particularly beneficial.

What You'll Do

• Manage end-to-end ocean import forwarding activities, from shipment coordination through to delivery.
• Arrange clearances, transport, quotations and deliveries, ensuring shipments progress efficiently.
• Prepare and process customs entries, job costing and customer invoices within required deadlines.
• Update shipment milestones and maintain accurate records using internal systems and Microsoft Office.
• Follow standard operating procedures (SOPs), service targets and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Liaise with customers, suppliers and internal teams to resolve queries and keep shipments on track.
• Prepare internal and customer reports, ensuring deadlines and compliance requirements are met.
• Support month-end processes, cost control and operational reporting.
• Help review freight rates and identify opportunities to improve processes and service.
• Build strong customer relationships and support customer reviews and account development.
• Work closely with senior forwarders, the operations manager and other team members to maintain high standards.

What We're Looking For

• Experience in freight forwarding, shipping, import operations or international logistics.
• Ocean import experience would be an advantage.
• An understanding of customs procedures and shipping documentation.
• Good customer service and communication skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships.
• Strong organisation and attention to detail, particularly when handling time-sensitive shipments and paperwork.
• Confidence using IT systems and Microsoft Office.
• The ability to follow procedures, manage deadlines and resolve operational issues.
• A team-focused approach, with an interest in maintaining service quality and controlling costs.
• GCSEs or equivalent education.

Who Might Suit This Role

This opportunity could suit an Ocean Import Freight Forwarder, Import Coordinator, Shipping Coordinator, Customs Clearance Operator or Freight Operations Coordinator.

Candidates with experience in air, sea or road freight, import/export operations, transport coordination or international shipping may also have relevant transferable skills.

Why Join?

• Salary of £27,000 to £33,000, depending on experience.
• Monday to Friday working hours, 9am to 5.30pm.
• The opportunity to develop your experience within an international freight forwarding business.
• A varied operational role combining shipment coordination, customer service, customs procedures and cost control.
• The chance to work as part of an established team within a well-established logistics operation.

If you have a background in freight forwarding, particularly ocean imports, and are looking for your next opportunity in Basildon, we'd like to hear from you