European Road Freight Operator
Full Time / Permanent / 08.30 17.30 Mon-Fri
Salary up to £30k negotiable depending on experience
Generous Company Pension scheme
Company Benefits (Health Cash Plan, Access to Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 support across a wide range of areas, team building events and much more!)
Member of Employee Ownership Trust (EOT)
Training & Development Opportunities
Hybrid contract upon successful completion of 6-month probation 3 days in the office and 2 days working from home.
Based in Burntwood (WS7)
Join the dynamic team at Espace, the UK's first ever 100% employee-owned freight forwarder, as one of our European Road Freight Operators of a team of 8, and play a part in developing our European road freight offering. As we set our sights on further developing our standard European Road Freight business alongside our other multimodal services, we are in search of an individual who has dedicated a minimum of five years to this specialism. The perfect candidate will boast a profound understanding of European Road Freight, coupled with extensive business acumen and an energetic pace of work. If you have the dedication, expertise, and the passion to elevate our offering, Espace is eager to welcome your application.
We are offering a great opportunity to grow within a modern, forward-thinking business. Hence, we would like an upbeat, motivated, tenacious character looking for a career in freight.
A little bit about the company ... we are a non-asset owning freight forwarder with agency representation worldwide. Our people are our most valuable asset and we win business with our can-do approach, exceptional levels of customer service and trusted agency network. We specialise in general forwarding by road to within the UK, and all over Europe. Worldwide destinations by air and sea. In addition to this, we offer a UK customs brokerage service.
Main Purpose of the role
To manage and grow assigned European markets while providing additional operational assistance to our European Road Freight team, enabling further development of Espaces freight offering with existing customers and building strong relationships with both suppliers and customers.
Responsible for the delivery of operational activities, in accordance with targets set, to contribute to achievement of the company vision and overall business objectives, as well as performing to high quality standards.
Look after all the customers who book full, part load and groupage, import and export shipments to and from Europe.
Build and nurture good working relationships with existing customers.
To increase business from existing, lapsed and recently gained clients.
Offer our customers an exceptional service so that they come back to us month on month with repeat business and new lanes.
Be able to confidently cross sell other services to our existing client base via our CRM
Role Details
We work with a range of customers. Our customer base is made up of Freight Forwarders, direct manufacturers and logistic companies worldwide.
We do not own any vehicles, we sub-contract all our work to UK, European and global suppliers, and have built up a strong network of preferred suppliers over the years.
Customers call or email in with enquiries. Our team will go out to our preferred suppliers / agents to obtain the most competitive quote and then offer this to our customer to secure the booking.
Once booking is secured, the team will handle the shipment from start to finish, taking ownership and accountability. Thus, offering a personal service to our customers and one contact point.
Key account management of clients to strengthen existing relationships and growing the account, with a view to quoting and winning new lanes and cross selling other services.
Language skills are an advantage but not essential.
Key Responsibilities
To generate sales / profit linked directly to the current business plan. Focus and drive to achieve targets.
Taking phone/e-mail enquiries from customers and quoting clients on their shipments, providing the best price and solution.
Liaising with suppliers and negotiating prices with them.
Using various freight exchanges and freight platforms.
To identify any new revenue opportunities from existing customers and effectively present key features of our services (new and existing) to secure new business for other markets.
Logging quotes on our TMS.
Always liaising with the customers and constantly updating them with information (good or bad!)
Checking on collections and deliveries with suppliers and advising clients on updates.
Problem solving when issues occur and offering solutions to meet client requirements.
Calling clients for work and staying connected with them regularly.
Dealing with our in-house customs team as well as EU customs brokers by instructing them to complete clearance.
Administering the whole booking process (with customers and suppliers), inputting bookings onto our bespoke TMS and tracking loads from booking to delivery.
Covering shipments with suppliers, whilst proactively updating our customers on every milestone. Checking on shipments on the day of loading, through to delivery.
To constantly promote company image through all activities.
Visit key clients to further develop and strengthen relationships. This can include virtual calls.
Personal Attributes
Hungry, driven and passionate to make a positive impact.
Solution finder for when problems occur. Being proactive.
Being able to work on your own as well in a team. Using your own initiative.
Focus on results and willingly tackle problems or conflicts which threaten their achievement.
Excellent communication and listening skills.
Positive behaviours and attitude towards all stakeholders as well as applying this to the role.
Owner mindset required.
Emotional resilience. To enjoy working with customers and suppliers therefore, able to develop strong relationships,
Flexibility, adaptability and quick thinking.
High attention to detail.
Tough negotiator
Good overall knowledge of various modes: pallet/groupage/part and full/pallet networks/customs (various docs, incoterms etc).
EU and UK customs knowledge and understanding what documents and requirements are needed.
Good overall knowledge of European freight industry and markets. Relate to clients about market activity.
To be well-organised and thorough, even under pressure.
To enjoy working within a target-driven team environment - Be a team player.
Must be Professional and respectful to all stakeholders (colleagues, customers, suppliers etc). Always upholding our company values.
Working for an Employee-Owned business requires its co-owners to be team players and think and act like owners. Taking ownership and accountability is key. Effective communication and organisational skills will be needed as will an ability to prioritise and manage high workloads at times.
Our Company values are PURE: Professionalism, Unity, Respectfulness and Enthusiasm.
If you feel you have what it takes to fulfil this role, please apply through this advert with your CV and a covering letter stating why you think we should invite you for an interview. Please also state your current salary and/or salary expectations.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Monday 1 September2025
(APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED AS THEY COME IN)
NO AGENCIES PLEASE
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