Freight Forwarder

Irlam Associates; Macclesfield; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Established logistics business

Varied role

Customer & carrier relationships

Development opportunities

Job summary

Irlam Associates in Macclesfield, Cheshire, is seeking an experienced Freight Forwarder / Road Freight Coordinator to join its busy transport operation.

This fast-paced role manages same-day deliveries, UK and European road freight movements, and all bookings from enquiry to delivery. You will source vehicles, negotiate rates, produce customer quotes and keep clients updated with progress and ETAs.

Join a growing logistics team with development opportunities and a supportive working environment.

Qualifications

• Experience within freight forwarding, road freight, transport planning, same-day courier operations or general haulage.

Responsibilities

• Arrange same-day, dedicated and time-critical road freight movements.
• Coordinate UK and European collections and deliveries.
• Manage freight bookings from initial enquiry through to final delivery.
• Source suitable vehicles through subcontracted hauliers, carriers and owner-drivers.
• Arrange transport using vans, Luton vehicles, rigid HGVs and articulated vehicles.
• Obtain carrier prices and negotiate competitive transport rates.
• Produce accurate customer quotations while protecting commercial margins.
• Plan and coordinate express freight, dedicated loads and urgent deliveries.
• Monitor live vehicle movements and track collections and deliveries.
• Provide customers with accurate ETAs and regular shipment updates.
• Resolve delays, failed collections, cancellations and other operational issues.
• Liaise with customers, drivers, hauliers, suppliers and transport partners.
• Maintain accurate booking information, delivery records and transport documentation.
• Develop strong working relationships with existing customers and carriers.
• Support the continued growth of the road freight and same-day operation.

Skills

Freight forwarding

Road freight operations

Transport planning

Customer service

Negotiation

Communication

Tools

Transport management systems

Job description

Location: Macclesfield, Cheshire

Job Type: Permanent, Full-time

The Opportunity

An established and growing transport and logistics business is looking for an experienced Freight Forwarder / Road Freight Coordinator to join its operation in Macclesfield.

This is a fast-paced role focused on arranging same-day deliveries, dedicated vehicles and UK and European road freight movements. You will manage each transport job from the initial customer enquiry and quotation through to collection and successful delivery.

The position could suit someone currently working as a Freight Forwarder, Road Freight Operator, Transport Planner, Transport Coordinator, Freight Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Traffic Planner, Same-Day Courier Controller, Transport Operator or European Freight Operator.

Key Responsibilities

• Arrange same-day, dedicated and time-critical road freight movements.
• Coordinate UK and European collections and deliveries.
• Manage freight bookings from initial enquiry through to final delivery.
• Source suitable vehicles through subcontracted hauliers, carriers and owner-drivers.
• Arrange transport using vans, Luton vehicles, rigid HGVs and articulated vehicles.
• Obtain carrier prices and negotiate competitive transport rates.
• Produce accurate customer quotations while protecting commercial margins.
• Plan and coordinate express freight, dedicated loads and urgent deliveries.
• Monitor live vehicle movements and track collections and deliveries.
• Provide customers with accurate ETAs and regular shipment updates.
• Resolve delays, failed collections, cancellations and other operational issues.
• Liaise with customers, drivers, hauliers, suppliers and transport partners.
• Maintain accurate booking information, delivery records and transport documentation.
• Develop strong working relationships with existing customers and carriers.
• Support the continued growth of the road freight and same-day operation.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience within freight forwarding, road freight, transport planning, same-day courier operations or general haulage.
• Experience coordinating UK or European road transport movements.
• Knowledge of same-day, express, dedicated and time-critical freight.
• Experience sourcing vehicles and working with subcontractors, hauliers, carriers or owner-drivers.
• Confident negotiating buy and sell rates.
• Commercial awareness with an understanding of transport costs, profit margins and quotations.
• Strong customer-service and account-management skills.
• Able to manage several live transport movements simultaneously.
• Confident handling urgent bookings and changing customer requirements.
• Calm, organised and solutions-focused when dealing with operational problems.
• Strong communication, administration and IT skills.
• Knowledge of transport management systems, freight exchanges or load boards would be advantageous.

Applications are welcomed from candidates with experience in:

• Road freight
• Express transport
• Dedicated vehicle movements
• European transport
• UK distribution
• Groupage
• Palletised freight
• Transport planning
• Traffic operations
• Third-party logistics
• Subcontractor management
• Time-critical logistics

What’s on Offer:

• Salary of £28,000–£32,000 depending on experience.
• Opportunity to join an established and growing logistics business.
• Varied role managing road freight movements from quotation through to delivery.
• Responsibility for developing customer and carrier relationships.
• Supportive working environment with opportunities to develop within the operation.

If you are an experienced Freight Forwarder, Transport Planner, Road Freight Operator, Freight Coordinator or Same-Day Transport Controller looking for a new opportunity in Macclesfield, we would be pleased to hear from you.