Ocean Operator / Freight Forwarder

Unieurope; Rotterdam; Hybrid; EUR 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13th-month payment

28 days annual leave

Non-contributory pension

Training opportunities

Job summary

Uniserve Netherlands is seeking an Ocean Operator to ensure excellent customer service and smooth import/export operations from our Rotterdam location. You will handle customs documentation, arrange transport, manage invoicing and respond to customer queries to keep shipments moving efficiently.

The role requires a logistics qualification, at least 2 years in ocean freight or transport planning, and strong Dutch/English communication.

Qualifications

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills.
• Good command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written.
• Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers.
• Knowledge of customs clearance processes and documentation.
• Ability to resolve customer issues and complaints efficiently.
• Familiarity with CargoWise is an advantage.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Requesting customs documentation from customers before the vessel arrives;
• Responding quickly and professionally to email enquiries;
• Collecting all necessary documentation for the release/delivery of the cargo;
• Arranging transport with shipping lines/carriers;
• Ensuring that shipments are correctly costed and invoiced;
• Keeping CargoWise up to date with the progress of shipments;
• Ensuring that payments for COD accounts have been received before cargo is released/delivered;
• Ensuring that payments for customs and VAT invoices have been received before the cargo is released/delivered;
• Processing supplier invoices in a timely manner;
• Resolving customer queries and/or complaints;
• Processing file-closing costs and sales in a timely manner.

Skills

Organisational skills

Time-management

Dutch and English communication

Negotiation

Attention to detail

Teamwork

Independent work

Education

MBO or HBO qualification in logistics, transport or international trade

Tools

CargoWise

Job description

Salary: Market-based and negotiable (between €3,000 and €4,000 gross per month, depending on level and experience).

Extras: 13th-month payment, workplace setup, training opportunities, and more.

What will you do?

As an Ocean Operator, you are responsible for providing a high level of customer service to customers while ensuring smooth import/export operations and efficient cargo delivery. This role includes handling customs documentation, arranging transport, ensuring accurate invoicing, and resolving customer queries and complaints.

Your responsibilities include:

• Requesting customs documentation from customers before the vessel arrives;
• Responding quickly and professionally to email enquiries;
• Collecting all necessary documentation for the release/delivery of the cargo;
• Arranging transport with shipping lines/carriers;
• Ensuring that shipments are correctly costed and invoiced;
• Keeping CargoWise up to date with the progress of shipments;
• Ensuring that payments for COD accounts have been received before cargo is released/delivered;
• Ensuring that payments for customs and VAT invoices have been received before the cargo is released/delivered;
• Processing supplier invoices in a timely manner;
• Resolving customer queries and/or complaints;
• Processing file-closing costs and sales in a timely manner.

What do you bring?

• A completed MBO or HBO qualification in logistics, transport or international trade.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in ocean freight, freight forwarding or transport planning is an advantage.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills;
• Good command of Dutch and English, both spoken and written;
• Ability to negotiate effectively with suppliers;
• Knowledge of customs clearance processes and documentation;
• Ability to resolve customer issues and complaints efficiently;
• Familiarity with CargoWise is an advantage;
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

What do we offer?

• A responsible position with a high degree of independence;
• A market-based salary, negotiable and based on experience;
• An easily accessible location at Waalhaven with parking facilities;
• A 13th-month payment;
• 28 days of annual leave;
• Non-contributory pension;
• Plenty of opportunities for your development through courses and training;
• Working in a small, friendly team where everyone knows each other.

Who are we?

Uniserve Netherlands is a subsidiary of Uniserve Limited, one of the largest logistics service providers in the United Kingdom. In addition to our head office in the UK, we also have a location in Rotterdam, from which we operate across various logistics sectors such as ocean freight, air freight and e-commerce.

Four core values are central to everything we do: operational excellence, customer satisfaction, employee engagement and innovation. We believe in a good balance between working hard and having fun. We encourage a positive, open working environment with room for initiative, enjoyment and development. We expect a proactive attitude from all our colleagues: contributing ideas, looking ahead and working together to achieve the best results.