Ocean Freight Import Operator

Manifest Recruitment Limited; Northwich; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid after probation

25 days holiday

Company pension scheme

Free on-site parking

Free electric vehicle charging

Job summary

Manifest Recruitment Limited is assisting an established freight forwarder in Northwich to hire an Ocean Freight Import Operator. The role is hands-on, managing FCL and LCL shipments from quotation to final delivery, coordinating with overseas agents, shipping lines and hauliers, and ensuring smooth, profitable operations.

The successful candidate will own shipments, work with customers and partners, and ensure UK import procedures and documentation are handled efficiently.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years' hands-on Ocean Import operations experience
• Experience managing FCL and LCL shipments from start to finish
• Good knowledge of shipping documentation and UK import procedures
• Commercial awareness: quotations, costing, invoicing & profitability
• Strong customer service, communication and problem-solving skills
• Confident managing multiple shipments in a busy environment
• Freight management systems experience; CargoWise advantageous

Responsibilities

• Manage FCL and LCL Ocean Import shipments from quotation to final delivery
• Liaise with overseas agents, shipping lines, hauliers and warehouses
• Coordinate shipping documentation, customs clearance, haulage and delivery arrangements
• Monitor shipments, resolve delays and manage demurrage/detention risks
• Act as main contact for customers; provide updates and resolve queries
• Prepare quotations; check supplier costs and raise customer invoices
• Monitor shipment profitability; maintain accurate job costing and margins
• Ensure compliance with UK import and customs requirements

Skills

Ocean Imports

Customer liaison

Problem solving

Communication

Multi-shipments

Freight mgmt systems

MS Office

Tools

CargoWise

Freight Management Systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ocean Freight Import Operator

Freight Forwarding | Northwich, Cheshire

£28,000 - £40,000 DOE | Hybrid After Probation

We are currently working with an established freight forwarding business based in Northwich, looking to recruit an experienced Ocean Freight Import Operator to join their operations team.

This is a hands-on operational role managing FCL and LCL Ocean Import shipments from quotation through to final delivery. You'll take ownership of your shipments, working closely with customers, overseas agents, shipping lines and hauliers, whilst ensuring operations run smoothly, efficiently and profitably.

The role will involve:

• Managing FCL and LCL Ocean Import shipments from quotation through to final delivery
• Liaising with overseas agents, shipping lines, hauliers and warehouses
• Coordinating shipping documentation, customs clearance, haulage and delivery arrangements
• Monitoring shipments, resolving delays and managing demurrage and detention risks
• Acting as a key point of contact for customers, providing updates and resolving queries
• Preparing quotations, checking supplier costs and raising customer invoices
• Monitoring shipment profitability, maintaining accurate job costing and protecting margins
• Ensuring shipping documentation and operations comply with UK import and customs requirements

What they're looking for:

• Minimum two years' hands-on Ocean Import operations experience - essential
• Strong experience managing FCL and LCL shipments from start to finish
• Good knowledge of shipping documentation and UK import procedures
• Commercial awareness, including quotations, costing, invoicing and profitability
• Strong customer service, communication and problem-solving skills
• Confident managing multiple shipments within a busy operational environment
• Comfortable using freight management systems and Microsoft Office
• CargoWise experience would be advantageous but isn't essential

Additional information:

• Salary: £28,000 - £40,000 depending on experience
• Location: Northwich, Cheshire
• Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, with a one-hour lunch break
• Hybrid working: 1-2 days WFH after probation
• Holiday: 25 days plus bank holidays
• Pension: Company pension scheme
• Parking: Free on-site parking
• Additional benefit: Free electric vehicle charging

This is a great opportunity for an experienced Ocean Import professional looking to take ownership of shipments, build strong customer relationships and develop further within a commercially focused freight forwarding environment