Ocean Export Operations Agent

Deutsche Post; Leeds; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension with life assurance

Wellbeing programme

Training and development opportunities

Job summary

DHL Global Forwarding is seeking an Ocean Export Operational professional to ensure excellent delivery of ocean export forwarding services for customers. You will handle end-to-end OFR exports, pre-alerts, customs, and file profitability while collaborating with carriers and internal teams.

The role requires knowledge of freight forwarding, HMRC procedures, and strong communication. A UK work entitlement and growth opportunities within a global logistics leader are offered.

Qualifications

• Two or more years in Freight Forwarding or related field.
• Experience with HMRC import/export procedures and compliance.
• Clear and concise written/spoken communication skills.
• Willingness to follow established processes and drive improvements.
• Ability to work across teams and maintain relationships with service providers.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end OFR Exports for designated customers, including pre-alerts and customs work.
• Coordinate customer liaison, deliveries, and file profitability data.
• Support and monitor profitability and service quality with the Ocean Freight team.
• Negotiate rates with carriers and internal product teams.
• Assist Sales in customer interactions and ensure compliance with Ground Rules.
• Contribute to continuous improvement programs and training.

Skills

Freight Forwarding

HMRC procedures

Communication

Process adherence

Continuous improvement

Cross-team collaboration

Cargowise One

UK work eligibility

Education

GCSEs including Maths & English

Tools

Cargowise One

Job description

Who is DHL Global Forwarding?

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) is part of the DHL Group. While the DHL Group employs more than 580,000 people globally, DGF has around 31,000 freight forwarding experts in more than 190 countries around the world, with around 1,000 of us based in the UK across 15 Sites. As the experts in Freight Forwarding since 1815, we are the global specialists in Air, Ocean and Rail Freight.

You name it, we’ve shipped it - from brown bears to aircraft engines, to lifesaving medicines and luxury cars! We are also proud to partner with some of the well‑known global sporting series, movie franchises and music tours.

Our people are at the heart of what we do, and we’re committed to helping our Forwarders to realise their full potential, supported by our own development journey - Certified International Forwarder (CIF).

Our Values

Every day we are guided by our values: Passion, Entrepreneurship, Excellence and Teamwork.

We are extremely passionate about our people and what we do, which is why DHL Global Forwarding is recognised as a Top Employer and a Great Place to Work, because we are specialists in providing Excellence, Simply Delivered.

In addition to our values, we promote an open and honest feedback culture based on Respect & Results, whereby our employees embrace diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while ensuring that we never compromise our integrity and compliance.

Role Overview

Ocean Export Operational Role ensuring a consistently excellent delivery of our Ocean Export forwarding services including the core operations and full service management for our customers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Delivering excellent customer service through our DGF’s 10 Customer Commitments
• Support, drive and commit to the Company’s overall Strategy
• Manage end-to-end process for OFR Exports and designated customers; Pre-alert processing, Customer liaison, arranging deliveries, processing customs clearance and file financials.
• Administration and management of own operational data i.e. Sick File report, work flow review and door-to-door global profit share to ensure compliance and the maximisation of profitability
• Support and monitor objectives set by Ocean Freight Supervisor in terms of profitability maximisation, volume growth and service quality.
• Creates, develops and maintains good relationships with customers and service providers, while facilitating negotiations of best rates (carriers and internal product teams)
• Support Sales in interaction with key customers
• Complying with the DGF 10 Ground Rules
• Supports implementation of OFR strategy on team (translates and lives requirements, implements, ensures realisation of strategy and monitors)
• Escalates carrier performance issues when required to Carrier directly/OFR Product/OFR Management

• Ensures that all interactions are compliant with DPDHL Code of Conduct and other compliance requirements e.g. anti‑corruption
• Contribute to the First Choice continuous improvement program

Skills and Experience:

• Two or more years’ experience within the Freight Forwarding Industry.
• 5 GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade C or above – or equivalent desirable.
• Good understanding and experience of HMRC Import procedures.
• Commercial awareness.
• Clear and concise communication skills (written and spoken).
• Ability to follow processes.
• Ability to support a culture of continuous improvement.
• Inter‑personal skills - Influencing, communication, relationship management, cultural awareness and ability to work across teams.
• Knowledge of Freight Forwarding industry: Exports or Exports and related processes.
• Preferable Cargowise One system knowledge.
• Must be eligible to work in the UK

Benefits:

• A competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement
• Pension scheme which includes life assurance
• Access to professional employee assistance and wellbeing programme
• A competitive package of voluntary benefits including retail, entertainment, gym membership, cycle to work scheme, contribution to eye care costs, and many more discounts
• Training and Development opportunities with a strong focus on internal promotion

HOURS/SHIFT PATTERN:

37.5 hours per week

REPORTS TO:

Customer Service Team Leader

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the nature of our business we are regulated by the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority), therefore it is compulsory for all applicants once offered employment to provide a full 5 year employment history. Additional to this we are required to carry out a Criminal Record Check.

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e‑commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows.

Our culture is focused on personal commitment – to our customers, to each other, to our communities and to the environment. We reward excellent work and we nurture the talents of our employees. This enables you as an employee to develop your expertise and your career in different areas or divisions – and even in other countries.

We are committed to creating a workplace that ensures mutual respect and is focused on results. We hire talented people from all backgrounds – irrespective of gender, disability, nationality, ethnicity, social background, religion and beliefs, age or sexual orientation and identity. Diversity enriches our workplace, drives our success, and helps us deliver excellence.

By submitting your application, you agree that DGF UK will process your personal data for the purpose of recruitment and selection. We handle all data in accordance with the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018. To understand what information we collect, how we use it, and your rights, please read our full Privacy Policy.