Freight Operations Manager

WR Logistics; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

WR Logistics in Manchester is seeking an experienced Freight Operations Manager to oversee the daily freight forwarding operation at our busy hub near the airport.

You will lead the operations team, drive service levels, optimise processes and ensure shipments are handled efficiently and cost-effectively while supporting business growth and building strong relationships with customers, suppliers and overseas partners.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing freight forwarding teams and operations.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.
• Ability to optimise processes and control costs.
• Good understanding of customs, shipping documents and international regulations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the freight forwarding department, ensuring shipments are managed efficiently and delivered in line with customer requirements.
• Manage, support and develop the operations team, providing guidance, training and performance management where required.
• Coordinate import and export shipments across relevant freight modes, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with customs and international shipping regulations.
• Monitor operational performance, service levels and productivity, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers, carriers, hauliers, overseas agents and other logistics partners.
• Handle operational escalations and resolve shipment issues, delays and customer complaints effectively.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations, internal procedures and company quality standards.
• Work closely with sales and commercial teams to support new business implementation and maintain excellent customer service.
• Monitor operational costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Produce and review operational reports, KPIs and performance metrics.
• Support the continuous improvement of systems, processes and working practices across the department.

Skills

Freight forwarding operations

Leadership

Team management

Customer relationship management

Regulatory compliance

Process improvement

Job description

Freight Operations Manager

We are seeking an experienced Freight Operations Manager to oversee the day-to-day running of a busy freight forwarding operation in Manchester near the airport. This is an excellent opportunity for an organised and commercially minded individual with a strong background in freight forwarding, proven leadership skills and the ability to ensure a high standard of operational service.

The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the operations team, maintaining service levels, improving operational processes and ensuring shipments are handled efficiently and cost-effectively. You will play a key role in supporting business growth, developing the team and maintaining strong relationships with customers, suppliers and overseas partners.

Location: Manchester

Salary: Up to £50,000 per annum

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the freight forwarding department, ensuring shipments are managed efficiently and delivered in line with customer requirements.
• Manage, support and develop the operations team, providing guidance, training and performance management where required.
• Coordinate import and export shipments across relevant freight modes, ensuring accurate documentation and compliance with customs and international shipping regulations.
• Monitor operational performance, service levels and productivity, identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Maintain strong relationships with customers, carriers, hauliers, overseas agents and other logistics partners.
• Handle operational escalations and resolve shipment issues, delays and customer complaints effectively.
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry regulations, internal procedures and company quality standards.
• Work closely with sales and commercial teams to support new business implementation and maintain excellent customer service.
• Monitor operational costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Produce and review operational reports, KPIs and performance metrics.
• Support the continuous improvement of systems, processes and working practices across the department.

Skills and Experience

• Previous experience in a management role within UK freight forwarding.
• Strong understanding of freight operations, including import and export procedures.
• Experience managing, motivating and developing an operations team.
• Good knowledge of customs procedures, shipping documentation and international freight regulations.
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and manage competing deadlines.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to manage operational challenges in a fast-paced environment.
• Commercial awareness, including an understanding of operational costs, service delivery and profitability.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.
• Good IT skills and experience using freight management systems.
• A proactive approach to operational improvement and team development.