Sea Freight Operator

Freight Personnel; Bradford; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Pension plan

Career progression

Holiday entitlement

Job summary

Freight Personnel is recruiting for an Ocean Operator in the UK. The role involves managing import/export shipments, receiving bookings, and ensuring all ocean freight requirements are completed from booking to delivery.

You will handle customs clearance, shipping docs, and VAT/Duty processing, liaising with lines and service providers. Strong Excel/Word skills and knowledge of LCL/FCL processes are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in Ocean Import/Export freight forwarding operations.
• Knowledge of both LCL and FCL shipment processes.
• Experience with customs procedures including Duty and VAT.
• Proficient with MS Word and Excel.

Responsibilities

• Receive bookings from customers, agents and overseas offices.
• Raise files within the freight system.
• Prepare customs clearance instructions and shipping instructions.
• Liaise with shipping lines, carriers and other service providers.
• Monitor vessel arrival and departure schedules.
• Ensure all shipping and customs documentation is correctly presented and obtained.
• Process customs clearances, including Duty and VAT requirements.
• Maintain customer spreadsheets and shipment records where required.
• Costing files and ensuring revenue/cost allocation.
• Raise invoices to customers, agents and overseas offices.
• Raise Duty and VAT invoices where applicable.
• Investigate and resolve file queries and shipment discrepancies.
• Ensure compliance with company procedures and customs regulations.

Skills

Excel

Word

Freight software

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Tools

Freight forwarding software

Job description

Our client is a well-established Freight Forwarding and Logistics specialist with offices worldwide. We are recruiting for an Ocean Operator to work within a busy Ocean Freight department. The role will involve working as part of a team managing import and export shipments, receiving bookings from customers, agents and overseas offices, and completing all ocean freight requirements for both LCL and FCL shipments. Responsibilities will include customs clearance, shipping documentation, duty/VAT processing, and ensuring all freight movements are managed efficiently from booking through to completion. Our client is recognised as a top employer; they are committed to fostering a workplace culture that encourages entrepreneurial spirit and continued growth and excellence.

Main duties:

• Receiving bookings from customers, agents and overseas offices.
• Raising files within the freight system.
• Preparing customs clearance instructions and shipping instructions.
• Liaising with shipping lines, carriers and other service providers.
• Monitoring vessel arrival and departure schedules.
• Ensuring all shipping and customs documentation is correctly presented and obtained.
• Processing customs clearances, including Duty and VAT requirements.
• Maintaining customer spreadsheets and shipment records where required.
• Costing files and ensuring accurate revenue and cost allocation.
• Raising invoices to customers, agents and overseas offices.
• Raising Duty and VAT invoices where applicable.
• Investigating and resolving file queries and shipment discrepancies.
• Ensuring compliance with company procedures and customs regulations.

Experience required:

• Experience in Ocean Import and/or Ocean Export freight forwarding operations.
• Knowledge of both LCL and FCL shipment processes.
• Experience of customs procedures, including Duty and VAT processes.
• Good understanding of the freight forwarding and logistics industry.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to manage multiple shipments and priorities simultaneously.
• Experience using freight forwarding software systems would be advantageous.
• Full training on in-house systems will be provided.
• GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent).

Package and Benefits

• Salary £30,000 to £34,000
• 22 days holiday to start
• 2 x salary life insurance cover
• 5% employer contributory pension scheme
• Opportunities for career progression