Ocean Freight Coordinator

White Recruitment Limited; Ipswich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discount Platform

Company pension scheme

Full training and ongoing development

Cycle to Work and car leasing

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Recognition and team engagement

Job summary

White Recruitment Limited is seeking an organised Ocean Freight Import & Export Coordinator in Ipswich to manage shipments from booking to final delivery, focusing on imports from the Far East and Mediterranean.

The role requires experience in sea freight imports, coordinating international shipments and maintaining smooth operations within a busy team.

Qualifications

• Experience in ocean freight forwarding, particularly imports.
• Knowledge of FCL and LCL shipments.
• Understanding UK customs procedures and import compliance, including Port Health.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate ocean freight imports from booking to final delivery.
• Manage FCL and LCL consignments with shipping lines, co-loaders, overseas agents, hauliers and warehouse partners.
• Monitor vessel schedules, cargo arrivals and delivery arrangements; resolve delays.
• Liaise with customers; provide updates and respond to queries.
• Prepare and check shipping documentation (Bills of Lading, invoices, packing lists, delivery orders).
• Coordinate customs clearance and import formalities; work with authorities to meet UK import requirements.
• Maintain accurate shipment files, tracking information and records.
• Monitor shipment costs and profitability; support invoicing and cost control.

Skills

Ocean freight forwarding

Imports coordination

Customer relationships

Schedule monitoring

Tools

FCL

LCL

Incoterms

Job description

Ocean Freight Coordinator, Ipswich, Up to £33,000 DOE

We’re looking for an organised and customer-focused Ocean Freight Import & Export Coordinator to join a busy operations team in the Ipswich area. You’ll take responsibility for managing ocean freight shipments, primarily imports from the Far East and Mediterranean, ensuring cargo moves efficiently from origin through to final delivery.

This is a great opportunity for someone with a solid background in sea freight imports who enjoys building customer relationships, coordinating international shipments and keeping operations running smoothly.

• Salary: Up to £33,000 depending on experience
• Location: Ipswich
• Hours: Monday to Friday
• 25 days annual leave plus 8 bank holidays
• Discount Platform
• Company pension scheme
• Full training and ongoing development opportunities.
• Cycle to Work and car leasing schemes.
• Employee wellbeing initiatives and mental health support.
• Recognition and reward schemes, alongside regular team engagement activities

The Role

• Coordinate ocean freight imports from booking through to final delivery, ensuring shipments progress to schedule.
• Manage FCL and LCL consignments, working with shipping lines, co-loaders, overseas agents, hauliers and warehouse partners.
• Monitor vessel schedules, cargo arrivals and delivery arrangements, proactively resolving delays or issues.
• Liaise with customers throughout the shipment process, providing updates and responding to queries.
• Prepare and check shipping documentation, including Bills of Lading, commercial invoices, packing lists and delivery orders.
• Coordinate customs clearance and ensure all relevant import formalities are completed correctly.
• Work with Port Health, HMRC and other relevant authorities to ensure shipments meet UK import requirements.
• Maintain accurate shipment files, tracking information and operational records.
• Monitor shipment costs and profitability, supporting accurate invoicing and effective cost control.

What We’re Looking For

• Previous experience in ocean freight forwarding, particularly import operations.
• Good working knowledge of FCL and LCL shipments.
• Understanding of UK customs procedures and import compliance requirements, including Port Health processes.
• Familiarity with shipping documentation and Incoterms.
• A customer-focused approach, with confident communication and problem-solving skills.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of shipment costs and profitability.
• Ocean export experience would be beneficial, although the main focus of the position will be imports.

Interested?

If you have ocean freight import experience and are looking to join a supportive team within a growing international logistics operation, we’d love to hear from you.