Freight Forwarder

ALS Recruiting Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

ALS Recruiting Ltd is seeking an experienced Night Shift Express Operator to join a busy Express Freight department in the Greater London area. The role focuses on coordinating time-sensitive import, export and cross-trade shipments, ensuring deliveries meet strict deadlines and customer requirements.

The ideal candidate has freight forwarding or air freight experience, strong CDS knowledge, and the ability to work under pressure during a 4-on, 4-off night rotation.

Qualifications

• Experience in freight forwarding, express freight or time-critical logistics.
• Strong knowledge of import/export and cross-trade operations.
• Practical CDS customs entries experience (imports/exports).
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy under pressure.
• Able to manage multiple shipments and priorities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate time-critical import/export/cross-trade shipments from start to finish.
• Monitor urgent freight movements to meet deadlines and customer requirements.
• Liaise with airlines, hauliers, overseas agents, customers and internal teams.
• Prepare and process CDS customs entries with accuracy.
• Handle both import and export declarations ensuring compliance.
• Monitor shipments and resolve operational issues or delays.
• Maintain high level of customer service during night shift.

Skills

Freight forwarding

Time-critical logistics

Customer service

Tools

CDS

Job description

Shift Pattern: 4 on, 4 off – Night Shifts

The Role

We are currently recruiting for an experienced Night Shift Express Operator to join a busy and fast-paced Express Freight department.

The successful candidate will be responsible for coordinating time-critical import, export and cross-trade shipments, ensuring freight is managed efficiently and delivered within strict deadlines. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced freight forwarding professional with strong operational and customs knowledge.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and manage time-critical import, export and cross-trade shipments from start to finish.
• Arrange and monitor urgent freight movements, ensuring all deadlines and customer requirements are met.
• Liaise with airlines, hauliers, overseas agents, customers and internal departments.
• Prepare, check and process customs entries using the Customs Declaration Service (CDS).
• Handle both import and export customs declarations, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Monitor shipment progress and proactively resolve any operational issues or delays.
• Work effectively under pressure in a time-sensitive, 24-hour freight forwarding environment.
• Maintain a high level of customer service and operational efficiency throughout the night shift.

The ideal candidate will have

• Previous experience within freight forwarding, express freight, air freight or time-critical logistics.
• Strong knowledge of import, export and cross-trade operations.
• Practical experience handling CDS customs entries, ideally covering both imports and exports.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to work accurately under pressure.
• The ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities simultaneously.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and customer service.
• The flexibility and reliability to work a 4-on, 4-off night shift pattern.

Working Hours

This is a permanent night shift position operating on a 4 days on, 4 days off rota. The role will involve managing time-critical freight movements outside standard office hours, so flexibility and commitment to the shift pattern are essential.

If you have experience in express freight operations, time-critical logistics and CDS customs entries, and are looking for a new night shift opportunity, we would love to hear from you.