Ocean Export Manager

Red Recruit; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual discretionary bonus

3% employer pension

20 days annual leave

Job summary

Red Recruit is seeking an Ocean Export Manager in East London to lead the operational function within a recyclables division. You will own the ocean export operation, drive efficiencies and mentor a small team, ensuring smooth day-to-day performance and strong liaison with commercial colleagues.

Initial handover will precede full ownership, with a focus on autonomy, process improvements and customer satisfaction in a growing logistics group.

Qualifications

• Experience in ocean export freight forwarding is essential.
• Proven track record in management or team leadership.
• Ability to own and drive an operational department autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the ocean export operation within the recyclables division.
• Ensure smooth day-to-day running of the department.
• Mentor and develop a team of five employees.
• Act as first point of escalation for operational and customer queries.
• Drive process improvements and greater efficiencies across the department.
• Collaborate with commercial colleagues to improve file profitability and growth.
• Maintain strong communication between operational and commercial teams.

Skills

Ocean export freight forwarding

Team leadership

Commercial awareness

Strategic thinking

Problem solving

Job description

Job Title: Ocean Export Manager

Location: East London

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Start Date: ASAP

Working Pattern: Office-based, Monday to Friday

About the Role

Our client, a well-established and growing freight forwarding organisation, is seeking an experienced Ocean Export Manager to lead the operational function within its specialist recyclables division.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a business that forms part of a larger, expanding logistics group, providing global transport solutions across air, sea and road freight. The position plays a pivotal role within a successful niche division that has ambitious plans for continued growth and expansion into new markets.

What You'll Do

Initially, you will work closely with senior leadership to develop a thorough understanding of the operation, its customers, suppliers and the specialist recyclables market. Following this initial handover period, you will assume full ownership of the operational function, working with a high degree of autonomy.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking full ownership of the ocean export operation within the recyclables division.
• Ensuring the smooth and efficient day-to-day running of the department.
• Managing, mentoring and developing a team of five employees.
• Acting as the first point of escalation for operational and customer queries.
• Supporting and guiding the team through complex operational challenges.
• Monitoring team performance and identifying training and development requirements.
• Driving process improvements and implementing greater efficiencies across the department.
• Working closely with commercial colleagues to improve file profitability and support continued business growth.
• Ensuring strong communication and cohesion between the operational and commercial teams.
• Managing holiday approvals, workloads and team morale.
• Supporting credit control to help ensure customer accounts remain up to date.
• Monitoring supplier and customer queries and ensuring they are resolved promptly and professionally.
• Embedding a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement.

What You Need

• Strong operational experience within ocean export freight forwarding is essential.
• Previous management, supervisory or team leadership experience.
• The ability to take full ownership of an operational department and work autonomously.
• Experience within recyclables or another specialist freight sector would be advantageous.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of file profitability.
• Excellent leadership, problem-solving and organisational skills.
• A confident communication style, with the ability to work effectively with customers, suppliers, colleagues and senior management.
• The ability to successfully manage change while maintaining strong team engagement.

Why You'll Love This Role

• Competitive salary, depending on experience.
• Annual discretionary bonus.
• 3% employer pension contribution.
• 20 days' annual leave, increasing to 25 days with service.
• Genuine autonomy and ownership of the operational function.
• Clear opportunities for progression as the department grows.
• The chance to drive positive change and shape the future of the operation.
• A stable and expanding organisation within a larger logistics group.

Keywords/Alternative Titles: Ocean Export Manager, Ocean Freight Manager, Sea Freight Manager, Export Operations Manager, Freight Forwarding Manager, Shipping Manager, Recyclables Manager, Logistics Manager, Ocean Export, Sea Freight, Freight Operations, Team Manager, Freight Forwarding, East London Freight Jobs.