Freight Forwarding Operations Manager

WR Logistics; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Private healthcare

Contributory pension

Modern office environment

Direct reporting line to Director

Job summary

WR Logistics in Birmingham is hiring a Freight Forwarding Operations Manager to lead air, road and ocean freight in a growing multimodal operation. You will own day-to-day operations, drive service quality and profitability, and build strong customer relationships within a modern Birmingham office.

Reporting to the Director, you’ll mentor the operations team, manage RFQs and tender submissions, and contribute to shaping growth within an established international logistics group.

Qualifications

• Experience in multimodal freight forwarding, export bias preferred.
• Experience managing freight operations and teams.
• Proven ability to manage profit and loss.
• Skilled in RFQs, quotations and tender submissions.
• Strong customer relationship and key account management skills.

Responsibilities

• Leading daily operations and providing hands-on support when required.
• Managing, motivating, mentoring and apprising the operations team.
• Taking responsibility for departmental profit and loss.
• Preparing and reviewing RFQs, quotations and tender submissions.
• Developing key customer accounts and identifying opportunities for growth.
• Negotiating with suppliers to secure competitive rates and service.
• Attending customer and supplier meetings.
• Resolving operational issues and maintaining service standards.
• Identifying improvements to processes, productivity and profitability.

Skills

Freight forwarding

Management experience

Operational knowledge

P&L management

RFQs & tenders

Key account management

Negotiation skills

Team leadership

Communication skills

Job description

Freight Forwarding Operations Manager

Birmingham | Circa £60,000 basic + uncapped bonus

Company car | Private healthcare | Contributory pension

Monday to Friday, 8:00am to 5:30pm

Ready to take ownership of a multimodal freight operation and help shape its next stage of growth?

This is an opportunity to join an established international freight forwarding business, leading its air, road and ocean operations from a modern Birmingham office. With the backing of a successful logistics group committed to developing its businesses, you'll have the scope to improve performance, develop your team and strengthen customer relationships.

Reporting directly to the Director, you'll combine operational leadership with commercial responsibility. Your decisions will influence service quality, profitability and account growth, making this an attractive move for a hands‑on manager who enjoys making a visible difference.

What's on offer

• Basic salary circa £60,000
• Uncapped bonus, with indicative bonus earnings of £10,000
• Company car
• Private healthcare
• Contributory pension
• Modern office environment
• Direct reporting line to the Director
• Opportunity to lead and develop a multimodal operation within an established logistics group

The role

You’ll manage the day-to-day operations department across air, road and ocean freight, ensuring customers receive a reliable service while maintaining strong commercial performance.

Your responsibilities will include

• Leading daily operations and providing hands‑on support when required
• Managing, motivating, mentoring and appraising the operations team
• Taking responsibility for departmental profit and loss
• Preparing and reviewing RFQs, quotations and tender submissions
• Developing key customer accounts and identifying opportunities for growth
• Negotiating with suppliers to secure competitive rates and service
• Attending customer and supplier meetings
• Resolving operational issues and maintaining service standards
• Identifying improvements to processes, productivity and profitability

About you

• Multimodal freight forwarding experience, ideally with an export bias
• Previous management experience within freight forwarding
• Strong hands‑on operational knowledge
• Experience managing profit and loss
• Confidence handling RFQs and tender submissions
• Proven customer relationship and key account management skills
• Strong supplier negotiation skills
• The ability to develop a team and lead by example
• A calm, commercially minded approach and clear communication skills