Freight Import Manager

White Recruitment Construction; Christchurch; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading freight forwarder in Christchurch is seeking an experienced Freight Import Manager to oversee multimodal import operations. In this role, you'll manage daily operations and support a skilled team while ensuring compliance with international trade requirements. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in import operations, especially in sea freight, and solid communication skills. A competitive salary up to £55,000 is offered along with the opportunity to shape the department's future growth.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Autonomy in role

Working with a reputable forwarder

Qualifications

• Experienced in import operations within freight forwarding, particularly sea freight.
• Previous experience managing a team or running a department.
• Solid understanding of customs procedures and trade regulations.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the full import cycle across sea, air, and road.
• Manage day-to-day operations and support the import team.
• Ensure compliance with UK customs regulations.

Skills

Background in import operations

Team management

Understanding of customs procedures

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Experience with freight systems

Tools

Freight systems

TMS/ERP platforms

Customs software

Job description

Freight Import Manager
Salary: Up to £55,000
Location: Christchurch
Hours: Monday-Friday

Are you an experienced import professional ready to take ownership of a high-performing multimodal operation? We’re recruiting for an Freight Import Manager to lead a busy, customer-focused department within a well-established freight forwarder. With a strong emphasis on ocean freight, this role is ideal for someone with proven senior-level experience – whether you’re an Import Manager, Operations Manager, or Branch Manager looking for your next challenge.

What You’ll Be Doing

In this leadership role, you will oversee the full import cycle across sea, air, and road, ensuring shipments move smoothly from origin to final delivery. You’ll manage day-to-day operations, support a skilled team, and act as the main point of contact for key accounts.

• Managing all aspects of the import process, with a strong focus on LCL/FCL ocean freight.
• Overseeing customs clearance, documentation, scheduling, and domestic transport arrangements.
• Optimising workflow.
• Providing exceptional service to customers, offering solutions, updates, and guidance on best practices and routing options.
• Approve freight invoices, verify charges, track job profitability. Ensure correct billing to customers and update cost sheets.
• Ensuring full compliance with UK customs regulations and international trade requirements.
• Training, coaching, and developing the import team to maintain high standards of accuracy and service.
• Monitoring KPIs, reporting performance, and suggesting process improvements to increase efficiency and profitability.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong background in import operations within freight forwarding (sea freight essential).
• Experience managing a team or running a department – Import Manager, Ops Manager, or Branch Manager.
• Solid understanding of customs procedures, trade regulations, and Incoterms.
• Confident communication skills and the ability to build strong customer and supplier relationships.
• Proven ability to solve operational issues quickly while keeping costs under control.
• Experience using freight systems, TMS/ERP platforms, and customs software.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to lead a well-established import function with autonomy.
• Work with a reputable forwarder with strong global networks.
• Competitive salary up to £55k.
• A role where your decisions genuinely shape the department’s performance and future growth.