Import Freight Operator

Right Now Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Right Now Group are recruiting an Import Freight Operator for a leading international logistics business near Heathrow. The role manages Air and Road Import shipments from start to finish, including CDS customs entries, within a highly regulated pharma/logistics environment.

Open to varying levels of experience, salary reflects expertise. The successful candidate will handle customs documentation, liaise with carriers and customers, and ensure accurate records using a TMS.

Qualifications

• Experience with air and/or road freight imports from start to finish.
• Experience completing CDS customs entries.
• Strong knowledge of UK import customs procedures.
• Experience using a TMS or similar freight management system.
• Attention to detail and accurate documentation.

Responsibilities

• Manage Air and Road Import shipments from start to finish.
• Oversee import process from shipment instruction to recovery, customs clearance and final delivery.
• Prepare and complete customs declarations using CDS.
• Check documents for accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate cargo recovery and onward transportation.
• Liaise with airlines, hauliers, agents and other providers.
• Provide customers with regular shipment updates.
• Communicate with customs and port authorities as required.

Skills

Air Freight Imports

Road Freight Imports

CDS customs entries

TMS / freight management system

Customs clearance

Attention to detail

Organisational skills

Customer service

Tools

CDS

TMS

Job description

Right Now Group are currently recruiting for an Import Freight Operator to join a leading international logistics business based within the Heathrow area.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an Import Operator who has experience managing Air and/or Road Freight Imports from start to finish, including customs clearance using CDS.

The position will predominantly involve the movement of pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments, working within a specialist, highly regulated logistics environment where accuracy, compliance and customer service are extremely important.

Our client is open to different levels of experience and can consider both an established Import Freight Operator and a more senior candidate with stronger customs brokerage knowledge. The salary offered will reflect experience.

Responsibilities of the Import Freight Operator:

• Manage Air and Road Import shipments from start to finish
• Handle the complete import process from initial shipment instruction through to recovery, customs clearance and final delivery
• Prepare and complete customs declarations using CDS
• Check import documentation to ensure information is accurate and compliant
• Coordinate cargo recovery and onward transportation
• Liaise with airlines, hauliers, handling agents and other service providers
• Provide customers with regular shipment updates
• Liaise with overseas offices and internal departments throughout the shipment process
• Communicate with Customs, Border Force and Port Health where required
• Use TMS and internal freight systems to manage shipments and maintain accurate records
• Handle specialist pharmaceutical and healthcare shipments in accordance with operational procedures
• Assist with import licensing requirements where applicable
• Investigate and resolve customs, documentation and operational issues
• Ensure shipments are handled in accordance with relevant customs regulations and internal SOPs
• Maintain excellent levels of accuracy, communication and customer service throughout

The successful Import Freight Operator will ideally have:

• Previous experience within Air Freight and/or Road Freight Imports
• The ability to manage Import shipments start to finish
• Previous experience completing CDS customs entries
• Good knowledge of UK import customs procedures
• Experience using a TMS or similar freight management system
• Strong attention to detail
• Good organisational and time-management skills
• Confident customer service and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities
• Ability to use initiative and resolve operational issues independently
• A flexible and adaptable approach
• Pharmaceutical or healthcare logistics experience would be advantageous but is not essential
• For the higher salary level, stronger customs brokerage and import licensing knowledge would be particularly advantageous

Hours for the Import Freight Operator:

The position operates Monday to Friday on an alternating weekly shift pattern:

Week 1: 06:00 - 14:00
Week 2: 12:00 - 20:00

Salary for the Import Freight Operator:

£36,500 - £41,000 depending on experience

The lower end is suitable for an Import Operator developing their experience, while the higher end is aimed at a stronger Senior Import Operator with more extensive customs and brokerage knowledge.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a major international logistics organisation and develop specialist experience within the pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics sector.