Operations Manager

Supreme Recruitment; Colnbrook; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Supreme Recruitment is seeking an Operations Manager to lead our logistics and freight forwarding teams in Colnbrook. You will drive daily consolidation, execution, and strategic management of full load and European groupage export services, ensuring efficient fleet scheduling and strong client relationships.

The role requires hands-on leadership, a deep understanding of UK–EU road and ocean freight, and robust post-Brexit customs compliance. You will report to the General Manager.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years in a senior freight forwarding, logistics, or depot management role.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK–European road freight, ocean freight, and express groupage.
• Solid understanding of post-Brexit customs procedures and compliance.
• Advanced use of Logistics Management Systems and data-tracking tools.
• Experience with UK–Ireland supply chains or Irish Sea transit is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Direct logistics planners, transport teams, and warehouse personnel to maximize depot productivity.
• Oversee vehicle and trailer planning for domestic and European groupage routes.
• Escalate and manage pricing structures for corporate accounts to safeguard margins.
• Partner with Customs Clearance Specialists to ensure compliance with import/export controls.
• Monitor KPIs related to transit times, depot efficiency, and financial performance.

Skills

Freight leadership

UK-Europe road freight

Customs compliance

LMS/analytics

Team management

Tools

LMS

Job description

OPERATIONS MANAGER - LOGISTICS & FREIGHT FORWARDING

Salary: £45,000 - £50,000 per annum
Location: Colnbrook
Reporting to: General Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

We are seeking a high-caliber, hands‑on Operations Manager to direct our freight forwarding department. The successful candidate will drive the daily consolidation, execution, and strategic management of our full load and European/Irish groupage export services. This pivotal role requires an operationally focused leader capable of optimizing fleet schedules, elevating key client relationships, and ensuring rigorous customs compliance.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Operational Leadership: Direct logistics planners, transport teams, and warehouse personnel to maximize depot productivity and throughput.
• Freight & Fleet Optimization: Oversee vehicle and trailer planning for scheduled domestic and European groupage routes to ensure maximum efficiency.
• Commercial Strategy: Act as the primary escalation point for corporate accounts, managing complex pricing structures and safeguarding payload margins.
• Compliance Management: Partner with internal Customs Clearance Specialists to guarantee all import/export controls comply with international regulatory frameworks.
• Performance Analysis: Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) relating to transit times, depot efficiency, and fiscal performance.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

• Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years of progressive experience within a senior freight forwarding, logistics, or depot management capacity.
• Industry Expertise: Comprehensive knowledge of UK-European road freight, ocean freight, and express groupage infrastructure.
• Regulatory Knowledge: Robust operational understanding of post-Brexit customs procedures, transit documentation, and compliance protocols.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced capability utilizing Logistics Management Systems (LMS), supply chain analytics software, and data tracking tools.
• Preferred Attribute: Experience navigating UK-Ireland supply chains, Irish Sea transit, or Republic of Ireland customs protocols is highly advantageous