Ocean Freight Operations Manager

SDW Recruitment Limited; Southampton; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Generous holiday entitlement

Pension & life cover

Wellbeing support

Training & development

37.5-hour week

Job summary

SDW Recruitment Limited seeks an experienced Ocean Freight Operations Manager to lead Southampton's busy ocean freight desk, take ownership of day-to-day operations, and drive profitability and customer service excellence.

You will coach the team, manage budgets and P&L, build strong relationships with carriers and customers, and push for continuous improvements in process efficiency.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience within freight forwarding.
• Strong knowledge of ocean freight imports and exports.
• Commercial awareness and P&L understanding.
• Confident leadership and people management skills.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach and develop the Ocean Freight team.
• Oversee operational budgets and P&L for the department.
• Improve processes, efficiency and profitability.
• Build strong relationships with customers, carriers and suppliers.
• Drive KPIs, service standards and business growth.

Skills

Proven management experience

Ocean freight knowledge

P&L understanding

Leadership

Problem solving

Job description

Southampton | Full-Time | Competitive Salary + Excellent Benefits

Are you an experienced Ocean Freight Manager ready to take ownership of a busy operation and lead a team to success?

We’re recruiting for an established global freight forwarder seeking a commercially minded Ocean Freight Operations Manager to lead its Southampton operation.

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a real impact, develop your team and drive operational excellence within an international logistics business.

About the Role

You’ll take responsibility for the day-to-day management and profitability of the Ocean Freight department, overseeing import and export operations while delivering outstanding customer service.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Leading, coaching and developing the Ocean Freight team


• Managing operational performance, budgets and P&L


• Improving processes, efficiency and profitability


• Building strong relationships with customers, carriers and suppliers


• Driving KPIs, service standards and business growth

What Our Client Is Looking For

• Proven management experience within freight forwarding


• Strong knowledge of ocean freight imports and exports


• Commercial awareness and P&L understanding


• Confident leadership and people management skills


• A proactive, solutions-focused approach

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package


• Generous holiday entitlement


• Pension scheme and life assurance


• Employee wellbeing support


• Excellent training and career development opportunities


• 37.5-hour working week

Ready to take the next step in your freight forwarding career?