Operations Coordinator – Freight Forwarding

SDW Recruitment Limited; Eling; Sur place; GBP 25 000 - 36 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Competitive salary

Enhanced benefits

Growth opportunities

Ownership mindset

Résumé du poste

SDW Recruitment Limited is seeking an Import & Export Operations Coordinator in Southampton to take ownership of shipments, build strong customer relationships and keep operations running smoothly.

The role involves managing customers’ import/export requirements, ensuring shipments are handled efficiently and in line with procedures, while staying commercially focused and supporting KPIs within a collaborative team.

Qualifications

• Experience in freight forwarding, ideally within import and/or export operations.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities.
• Excellent customer service skills with a natural ability to build rapport and maintain lasting relationships.
• Confident communication skills when dealing with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
• A proactive, positive attitude and a genuine willingness to find solutions.
• Good attention to detail, particularly when handling shipment information, invoicing and supplier costs.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.
• A commercially aware approach, with an understanding of the importance of efficiency, service levels and profitability.

Responsabilités

• Coordinating day-to-day import and export shipments, ensuring everything is processed accurately and on time.
• Managing customer requirements and maintaining regular communication throughout the shipment process.
• Building strong relationships with customers, understanding their needs and delivering a responsive, professional service.
• Liaising with suppliers and overseas offices to ensure shipments run smoothly.
• Monitoring supplier performance and helping maintain consistently high service standards.
• Processing customer invoices promptly and ensuring supplier costs are recorded accurately.
• Working towards departmental KPIs, supporting operational efficiency and profitability.
• Identifying potential problems early, resolving issues proactively and escalating more complex matters when necessary.
• Following established operational procedures and suggesting improvements to existing processes.
• Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider team to deliver excellent results.

Description du poste

Location: Southampton | Full-Time | Competitive Salary + Enhanced Benefits

Are you an experienced freight forwarding professional who enjoys taking ownership of shipments, building strong customer relationships and keeping operations running smoothly?

We’re recruiting an Import & Export Operations Coordinator to join a growing, established logistics business in Southampton.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who enjoys the variety of freight forwarding, takes pride in delivering excellent customer service and wants to be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team where their contribution genuinely matters.

About the Role:

As an Import & Export Operations Coordinator, you’ll be responsible for managing customers’ import and export requirements, ensuring shipments are handled efficiently, accurately and in line with established procedures.

You’ll be a key point of contact for customers, suppliers and colleagues, helping to maintain high service standards while keeping operations organised and commercially focused.

It’s a varied, hands‑on position where you’ll have the opportunity to take ownership of your workload, solve problems and contribute ideas that improve the way things are done.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Coordinating day-to-day import and export shipments, ensuring everything is processed accurately and on time.
• Managing customer requirements and maintaining regular communication throughout the shipment process.
• Building strong relationships with customers, understanding their needs and delivering a responsive, professional service.
• Liaising with suppliers and overseas offices to ensure shipments run smoothly.
• Monitoring supplier performance and helping maintain consistently high service standards.
• Processing customer invoices promptly and ensuring supplier costs are recorded accurately.
• Working towards departmental KPIs, supporting operational efficiency and profitability.
• Identifying potential problems early, resolving issues proactively and escalating more complex matters when necessary.
• Following established operational procedures and suggesting improvements to existing processes.
• Working closely with the Operations Manager and wider team to deliver excellent results.

What Our Client Is Looking For:

• Experience in freight forwarding, ideally within import and/or export operations.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities.
• Excellent customer service skills with a natural ability to build rapport and maintain lasting relationships.
• Confident communication skills when dealing with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
• A proactive, positive attitude and a genuine willingness to find solutions.
• Good attention to detail, particularly when handling shipment information, invoicing and supplier costs.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a wider team.
• A commercially aware approach, with an understanding of the importance of efficiency, service levels and profitability.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who takes ownership, enjoys working with people and brings a positive, can‑do attitude to their work.

What’s on Offer

• Competitive salary (dependent on experience).
• Enhanced employee benefits.
• The opportunity to join a growing, established logistics organisation.
• A supportive, collaborative team environment where people are genuinely valued.
• The chance to take ownership of your work and contribute ideas that make a difference.
• A business that encourages personal development, initiative and long‑term career growth.

Ready for your next move in freight forwarding?

If you’re an organised, customer-focused Import & Export professional looking for a new challenge in Southampton, we’d love to hear from you.