Team Leader – UK Forwarding

Ocean Network Express; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Group Pension Plan (up to 10% of basic

25 days holiday

Death in Service Benefit (x8)

Employee Assistance Programme

Medical Health check

Eye care contribution

Employee discount platform

Loyalty Award Scheme

Job summary

Ocean Network Express in Southampton (Hybrid) is seeking a UK Forwarding Team Leader. You will oversee the day-to-day operations of the UK Forwarding team, from customs clearance through to final delivery, ensuring high service standards and regulatory compliance.

You will manage performance, coach staff, and collaborate with sales and wider teams to support business growth and customer satisfaction. This permanent, full-time role offers a strong career path within ONE.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in a forwarding leadership role
• Strong knowledge of shipping and freight forwarding operations
• Experience with import/export customs clearance (HMRC/AEO)
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a team
• Excellent communication with customers, colleagues and stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Lead the UK Forwarding team daily activities, ensuring workloads are managed and targets are met
• Oversee forwarding operations from declarations to final delivery with high accuracy and service quality
• Ensure compliance with HMRC, AEO, customs and regulatory requirements; manage audits
• Monitor KPIs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce costs
• Build and maintain relationships with customers and support retention and growth
• Collaborate with local/global sales to onboard new forwarding accounts
• Support continuous improvement through new processes, systems and digital tools

Skills

Team leadership

Logistics operations

Regulatory compliance

Job description

Team Leader – UK Forwarding

Location: Southampton, Hybrid

Contract: Full Time, Permanent

We are looking for an experienced and motivated UK Forwarding Team Leader to join our team at Ocean Network Express (ONE). In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the UK Forwarding team, ensuring the smooth and efficient movement of shipments from customs clearance through to final delivery.

You will play a key role in maintaining high operational standards, supporting team development, ensuring regulatory compliance and building strong customer relationships. Working closely with the UK Forwarding Manager and wider commercial teams, you will also contribute to business growth and the achievement of departmental targets.

Key Responsibilities

• Team Leadership: Oversee the daily activities of the UK Forwarding team, ensuring workloads are effectively managed, operational targets are achieved and employees receive the necessary support, coaching and development.

• Operational Management: Ensure forwarding operations run efficiently, from timely customs declarations through to final delivery, maintaining high standards of accuracy, quality and customer service.

• Compliance & Quality: Ensure all activities comply with relevant HMRC, AEO, customs and any other regulatory requirements, including competition laws. Act as a key point of contact for customs authorities, maintaining accurate compliance documentation and supporting internal and external audits.

• Performance Management: Monitor departmental KPIs, maintain quality standards, identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and minimise unnecessary costs, while supporting the achievement of financial budgets and business objectives.

• Customer Relationships: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing customers, acting as an escalation point for complex internal and external customer issues. Identify opportunities to increase business with existing customers, maintain service standards and support customer retention.

• Business Growth: Work collaboratively with local and global sales teams to support the onboarding of new forwarding accounts, including ONE and third‑party shipments. Identify opportunities to generate new business, increase customer volumes and contribute to the continued growth of the forwarding portfolio.

• Collaboration: Develop effective working relationships with colleagues across different departments and countries, as well as customers, local authorities and customs bodies, to ensure efficient operations and service delivery.

• Continuous Improvement: Support the implementation of new systems, processes, standard operating procedures and digital solutions to enhance operational performance.

About You:

We are looking for someone with strong forwarding industry knowledge, proven leadership experience and the ability to manage operational priorities in a fast‑paced environment.

• At least 5 years' experience in a forwarding leadership position (strongly preferred)

• Strong knowledge of shipping, freight forwarding and logistics operations.

• Solid understanding of import and export customs clearance procedures, including HMRC and AEO requirements.

• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a team while maintaining high performance standards.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with customers, colleagues and external stakeholders.

• Strong organisational, analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to prioritise workloads and make informed decisions.

• A proactive and accountable approach, with a focus on continuous improvement, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

• The ability to adapt to changing business requirements and work effectively under pressure.

Why Join ONE?

At ONE, you’ll join a supportive and forward‑thinking team and gain valuable experience within a leading global business.

• Membership of the Company’s Group Pension Plan, into which the Company will contribute up to 10% of basic salary.

• 25 days holiday excluding bank holidays

• Death in Service Benefit (x8 annual salary)

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Annual Medical Health check

• Annual eye test and contribution towards glasses

• Employee discount platform

• Loyalty Award Scheme

The closing date for this role is 22nd November 2026. Please note you must have the right to work in the UK.