Freight Forwarding Operator - Basildon

Albini & Pitigliani S.p.A.; Basildon; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

20 days annual leave

Loyalty holiday scheme

Enhanced pension contributions

Private Medical Insurance

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Death in Service

Employee discounts platform

Job summary

ALPI UK is seeking an experienced Freight Forwarding Operator to join our Basildon office on a fixed term contract, full-time.

The role supports the Head of Freight Forwarding in executing objectives that help our organisation become more competitive and profitable. Responsibilities include handling quotations, bookings, SOPs, CRM updates, and customer liaison to ensure high-quality service.

Qualifications

• Understanding of road freight market rates and quoting
• Proficient with MS Office and related systems
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities
• Analytical with attention to detail

Responsibilities

• Understand and implement the department's vision to deliver excellent customer service
• Create and maintain SOPs for the department
• Confirm quotations within 30 minutes via email
• Book consignments with third party contractors and quote cross-trade consignments
• Book deliveries with customers and liaise with origins/offices
• Improve customer workflow efficiencies with line manager
• Maintain key accounts and expedite enquiries
• Update CRM with spot quotations and bookings
• Assist credit control with overdue payments
• Ensure due diligence checks for new customers
• Represent the company professionally at all times
• Oversee client and sub-contractor management per policies
• Ensure all financial transactions comply with policies and legal requirements
• Record bookings in the operations system (international/national/cross-trade)
• Provide accurate, cost-effective quotations promptly
• Maintain regular communication with sales teams about leads and handovers
• Invoicing and administration

Skills

Road freight knowledge

IT skills

MS Office

Communication

Teamwork

Analytical thinking

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Freight Forwarding Operator to join our Freight Forwarding department based at our Basildon office on a fixed term contract.

Job type

Fixed term contract – expiring 24th December 2027, full time.

Working Hours

Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 5.30pm (including a 1-hour unpaid lunch break). 40 hours per week.

Salary

£28,000.000 - £30,000 per annum (salary negotiable depending on experience)

About the Role

Assist the Head of the Freight Forwarding Department in the execution of their duties in support of the Managing Director’s vision of the company to become more competitive and profitable.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and execute the departments vision of good business development in order to ensure outstanding customer services to clients
• Create new and maintain current SOPs for the department
• Confirm quotations received by email (within half an hour)
• Booking consignments with third party contractors
• Quoting cross trade consignments
• Booking deliveries in with customers
• Liaising with suppliers / Origin Offices
• Implement and improve new efficiencies in customer workflow in conjunction with line manager
• Maintain key accounts and ensure general enquiries are expedited
• Update the CRM ensuring spot quotations are entered on to the system
• Gain feedback where possible and follow up enquiries
• Deal with customer/client complaints are expedited in the agreed timeline in accordance with SOPs
• Aid Credit Control with collection of overdue payments from suppliers/clients
• Ensure customer due diligence checks are completed for new customers
• Maintain at all times high standards of personal quality, Health & safety and professionalism and actively promote all company policies and procedures
• Represent the company in the best possible light at all times
• Ensure to oversee client management and sub-contractor management in line with polices, practices and procedures
• Ensure all financial transactions in compliance with Alpi organisational policy and procedures, legal requirements, and good practice guidelines
• Ensure to carry out processes, practices in line with policies, practices, and procedures
• Ensure customer Bookings are accurately taken & entered operations system, International, National and cross trade
• Provide customers with accurate and cost-effective quotations within a timely fashion
• Build strong relationships with customers
• Invoicing and Administration
• Maintain the operations system ensuring customer bookings are accurately recorded
• Maintain regular communication with sales teams reporting new sales leads and handover of shipments

Skills, Experience and Competencies

• Knowledge of road freight market rates and services, ability to quote accordingly
• Be able to prioritise own workload but also be able to work as part of a team
• Be fully conversant in IT skills e.g., Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel) and systems
• Have excellent communication skills over the telephone and e-mail
• Have experience with Excel reporting
• Have good team working skills
• Have good understanding of logistics processes and procedure
• Ability to work as part of a team as well and being confident independently
• Demonstratable working administrative background
• Must have analytical skills, with a high level of detail

Benefits that support you

• 20 days' annual leave plus bank holidays
• Loyalty holiday scheme, awarding 1 additional day's annual leave for each completed year of service, up to a maximum of 5 additional days
• Milestone Day, an additional paid day off to celebrate a meaningful personal occasion of your choice
• Enhanced pension contributions, increasing to a 9% employer contribution after 1 years’ service
• Free annual pension and investment review with our independent financial adviser
• Death in Service benefit equivalent to 3 times your annual salary after 6 months' service
• Private Medical Insurance after 1 years’ service (subject to application and scheme eligibility)
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and eligible family members
• Access to our employee discounts and benefits platform

About Us

ALPI UK is part of the Albini & Pitigliani Group, an international freight forwarding and logistics organisation with a history spanning more than 80 years. Established in Italy, the Group has grown into a global network providing logistics and supply chain solutions across international markets.

With locations across Essex, Manchester, Tamworth, Heathrow and Scotland, ALPI UK combines the strength and stability of a global business with the personal approach of a local team. We are proud to support customers across a wide range of industries through our expertise in freight forwarding, customs, warehousing and supply chain management.

Our success is built on the knowledge, commitment and expertise of our people. We foster a professional and collaborative working environment where individuals are empowered to take ownership, build strong relationships and deliver with confidence.

Everything we do is guided by our 'With C.A.R.E.' values:

Commitment

Accountability

Relationships

Expertise

These values shape the way we work, support our customers and collaborate with one another every day.

If you are looking to join a trusted international organisation where commitment, accountability, relationships and expertise are valued, and where you can make a meaningful contribution, we would love to hear from you.