Operations Controller

Kevin Theobald Employment Agency; Crawley; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A logistics recruitment firm in Crawley seeks an Operations Controller for a 4 on 4 off, 12-hour shift role. Responsibilities include coordinating air, road, and sea freight movements and managing customer relationships during shifts. The ideal candidate will have proven experience in logistics operations, strong organizational skills, and a high level of accuracy. This position requires autonomous work and customer interaction, ensuring consistent service in a high-pressure environment.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in freight forwarding or logistics operations.
• Strong confidence in managing time-critical situations.
• Ability to handle high-pressure work effectively.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate freight movements by air, road, and sea.
• Monitor shipments and manage delays, exceptions, and escalations.
• Maintain accurate job files and internal records.
• Provide clear handovers at shift changes.
• Act as primary contact for assigned customers.
• Update customer tracking portals and report milestones.

Skills

Freight forwarding experience

Customer service mindset

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Communication skills in English

Microsoft Office proficiency

Job description

Our client who is located in the Crawley area is looking for an operations controller working a 4 on 4 off 12 hour days (Apply online only).

The Shift Operations Controller is a hands‑on, customer‑facing operational role responsible for managing live logistics activity during assigned 12‑hour shifts, including regular weekend coverage.

This position owns day‑to‑day operational delivery while on shift, absorbing routine and predictable weekend work and ensuring customers experience consistent, high‑quality service outside standard office hours. You will work autonomously during your shift, while remaining closely aligned with the wider operations team through clear handovers and communication.

Duties Include:

• Coordinate Air, Road, and Sea freight movements to and from the UK, including cross‑trade shipments, from booking to final delivery.
• Monitor live shipments, proactively managing exceptions, delays, and escalations.
• Maintain accurate job files and record all activity within the internal job management system.
• Provide clear, structured handovers at the end of each shift where required.
• Act as the primary operational contact for assigned customers during your shift.
• Communicate clearly and confidently with customers, partners, airlines, shipping lines, hauliers, and internal teams.
• Update customer track‑and‑trace portals and provide milestone updates via email or agreed reporting channels.

Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in freight forwarding or logistics operations (air, road, and/or sea).
• Strong customer‑service mindset with confidence handling time‑critical and high‑pressure situations.
• Excellent organisational and time‑management skills.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Competent user of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook).