Ocean Import Operator

Brook Street; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Salary up to £30k

Job summary

Brook Street NMR is recruiting an Ocean Import Operator to join our busy Freight Forwarding team in the United Kingdom. The role focuses on managing import shipments from origin to delivery, ensuring compliance and high service levels.

The ideal candidate will have ocean freight experience, strong organisational skills and a customer-focused mindset, with responsibilities spanning booking, customs, invoicing and proactive issue resolution.

Qualifications

• Experience in Ocean Imports or Freight Forwarding.
• Knowledge of international shipping documentation and import procedures.
• Knowledge of customs clearance processes.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to prioritise a busy workload.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage ocean import shipments from booking through to final delivery.
• Liaise with overseas offices, shipping lines, hauliers, customs brokers and customers to ensure smooth movement of freight.
• Arrange customs clearance and ensure all import documentation is accurate and compliant.
• Monitor shipment progress and proactively resolve delays or issues.
• Keep customers updated throughout the shipment lifecycle.
• Raise and verify supplier invoices and complete accurate customer billing.
• Ensure all files are closed within company KPIs and compliant with regulations.
• Work with internal teams to deliver high levels of customer service.

Skills

Ocean imports

International shipping docs

Customs clearance

Customer service

Organisation

Attention to detail

Teamwork

IT skills

Tools

CargoWise

Forwarding system

Job description

Ocean Import Operator

We are looking for an organised and customer-focused Ocean Import Operator to join our busy Freight Forwarding team. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with ocean freight experience who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment and takes pride in delivering excellent customer service.

You will be responsible for managing import shipments from origin through to final delivery, ensuring all operational, customs and customer requirements are met while maintaining high levels of compliance and service.

Monday–Friday 09:00–17:30 hrs with 1 hour lunch, 1 day a week WFH. Salary – up to £30k depending on experience. Temporary with a permanent opportunity.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage ocean import shipments from booking through to final delivery.
• Liaise with overseas offices, shipping lines, hauliers, customs brokers and customers to ensure smooth movement of freight.
• Arrange customs clearance and ensure all import documentation is accurate and compliant.
• Monitor shipment progress and proactively resolve any delays or operational issues.
• Keep customers updated throughout the shipment lifecycle.
• Raise and verify supplier invoices and complete accurate customer billing.
• Ensure all files are completed accurately and closed within company KPIs.
• Maintain compliance with customs regulations, company procedures and security requirements.
• Work closely with internal departments to deliver the highest levels of customer service.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Previous experience within Ocean Imports or Freight Forwarding.
• Good understanding of international shipping documentation and import procedures.
• Knowledge of customs clearance processes.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise a busy workload.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.

Desirable

• Experience using freight forwarding systems (e.g. CargoWise, Forwarding, or similar).
• Knowledge of CDS customs entries.
• Understanding of Incoterms and international trade documentation.

Brook Street NMR is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.