Freightserve recruitment are looking for a Freight Manager for a busy well-established niche sector Freight Forwarder based in the Colnbrook, Berkshire area.
We are seeking an experienced, proactive, and highly capable Operations Manager to lead and oversee day-to-day activity within a busy, fast-paced time-critical freight forwarding environment. The ideal candidate must be a hands-on operator with strong operational knowledge, exceptional leadership skills, and the ability to deliver excellence under pressure. This position requires a confident decision-maker with extensive experience managing time-sensitive shipments, coordinating complex logistics movements, and motivating a high-performing operations team.
Duties:-
* Oversee and coordinate all aspects of the company’s time-critical freight operations, ensuring ontime performance and service excellence.
* Manage and supervise the daily activities of the operations team, ensuring compliance with company standards, customer SLAs, and industry regulations.
* Act as an escalation point for complex or high priority shipments, ensuring swift and effective resolution.
* Maintain close control of key shipments, from booking through to delivery,including continuous customer communication and issue resolution.
* Develop, implement, and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure operational consistency and efficiency.
Team Leadership & Performance
* Lead, mentor, and motivate the operations team, creating a culture of accountability, professionalism, and customer focus.
* Set, monitor, and report on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), implementing corrective actions where necessary to drive continuous improvement.
* Conduct regular performance reviews and ensure appropriate training and development plans are in place.
Customer & Supplier Relations
* Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, suppliers, and subcontractors, ensuring exceptional service delivery.
* Ensure transparent communication with customers throughout the logistics chain, particularly in time-critical and emergency scenarios.
* Support the sales and customer service teams with operational input for quotations and service proposals.
Compliance & Administration
* Ensure full compliance with customs, security, and transport regulations, including DG (Dangerous Goods) and Aviation Security procedures.
* Maintain accurate records and documentation, including ATA Carnets, shipment files, and customs paperwork.
* Manage and document a five year checkable work history for all direct reports in compliance with security vetting requirements.
Required Experience
* Experience in freight forwarding, with at least 3 years in a time-critical or emergency logistics environment.
* Proven hands-on operational capability — must be comfortable personally managing shipments when required.
* Strong supervisory experience with a proven ability to lead, train, and develop a team.
* A five-year checkable work history is essential for security clearance.
* Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organisational skills.
* Proficient in logistics management systems, transport management software, and Microsoft Office.
As an agency we are fast becoming the number one Freight specialist in the UK. We have a fast growing reputation with most Freight related companies. Freightserve has been established since 1992 working within the Freight Forwarding and Shipping industry