Multimodal & Cross-Trade Operator

Salary: £35,000, depending on experience
Contract: Full-time, permanent

The Opportunity

We are recruiting an experienced Multimodal and Cross-Trade Operator to join an established international freight-forwarding business.

This varied position covers worldwide cross-trade movements, UK ocean exports and air-freight imports and exports. You will manage international shipments from the initial booking through to final delivery, working closely with customers, overseas agents, carriers and service providers.

A key part of the role involves coordinating cargo moving directly between overseas countries without entering the UK. This requires excellent organisation, clear communication and the confidence to manage multiple parties across different locations and time zones.

Key Responsibilities

You will manage worldwide cross-trade shipments from booking through to final delivery, alongside UK ocean exports covering FCL and LCL movements and UK air-freight imports and exports.

The position involves arranging international movements, obtaining freight rates, selecting suitable routes and coordinating collections, bookings, departures, arrivals and final deliveries.

You will liaise regularly with customers, suppliers, overseas agents, airlines, shipping lines, hauliers, warehouses and customs brokers. You will also prepare and check Bills of Lading, Air Waybills and supporting freight documentation.

You will monitor shipments throughout their journey, provide customers with accurate updates and proactively resolve delays, documentation problems and operational issues.

Commercial awareness is important, as you will review buying rates, shipment costs and operational options while ensuring all charges and information are recorded accurately within the freight-management system.

You will also work closely with sales, accounts and the wider operations department when required.

Cross-Trade Operations

The cross-trade element of the position involves coordinating cargo between worldwide origins and destinations without the goods entering the UK.

You will communicate with overseas suppliers, agents, customers and consignees, review international routing options and manage documentation across different countries.

You must be comfortable working around time differences, local requirements and international deadlines while providing clear instructions to all parties. You will be expected to identify potential problems before they affect the movement of cargo and maintain commercial awareness when reviewing routes and freight costs.

Experience Required

Applicants must have previous freight-forwarding experience and a good operational understanding of international shipments.

Experience across worldwide cross-trade, ocean exports, air-freight imports or exports, FCL and LCL movements would be advantageous.

You should be familiar with Bills of Lading, Air Waybills, shipping-line and airline bookings, overseas-agent coordination, UK collections and deliveries, international routing and freight rates.

Knowledge of import and export customs procedures would also be beneficial.

You do not need extensive experience across every element of the position. However, you must have a solid freight-forwarding background and be capable of developing your knowledge across air, ocean and cross-trade operations.

Personal Qualities

The successful candidate will be organised, proactive and confident working independently. You must be comfortable taking ownership of shipments and managing multiple priorities at the same time.

You should be a strong communicator with a professional telephone manner and the confidence to deal directly with customers, suppliers and overseas partners.

You will need to remain calm under pressure, resolve operational problems efficiently and maintain a high level of accuracy when preparing international documentation.

A commercially aware, positive and collaborative approach is essential.

Benefits

The salary is between £35,000, depending on experience.

The package includes 20 days’ annual leave plus UK bank holidays. Holiday entitlement increases following the first complete year of employment, up to a maximum of 25 days plus bank holidays.

A contributory pension and health-support scheme are available following successful completion of probation.

The position includes a six-month probationary period with a review after three months.

If you are an experienced freight forwarder who enjoys managing shipments across different modes and international markets, we would like to hear from you.