Freight Forwarding Team Leader

**Responsible for**:
Handling of Export Deep and Short Sea FCL bookings; receiving and making Bookings, arranging Transport, issuing relevant documentation (House and Master Bills), VGM’s, Customs Export Entries, CTN’s, T Docs, Releases & deliveries, Invoicing.

Training and Mentoring Freight Forwarding Co-ordinators.

Interaction with customers, team members and all internal departments including Sales, Operations, Transport & Finance.

Process all aspects of the Freight Forwarding Export Operations from initial booking through to job completion and subsequent invoicing using Order Management System (BoxTop)

Training and Mentoring Freight Forwarding Co-ordinators. Contribute to the development and updating of the Containerlift SOP

**Duties & responsibilities**

**Direct (D), Indirectly (I)**

1. Liaise with customers and other departments during the booking process ensuring all bookings are handled in accordance with Containerlift SOP and payment terms. (D)

2. Placing of bookings with respective Shipping Line / Carrier / Agent. (D)

3. Liaise with customers to ensure correct export documentation is received for the shipment(s) and forwarded to the Shipping Line / Carrier/ Agent in a timely and accurate manner. (D)

4. Ensure Shipping Line/ Carrier/ Agent have instructions for Bills of Lading, VGM and UCR references in a timely manner. (D)

5. Receive/Check Draft Bill of Lading and ensure customer has receives a copy for approval. Send approved Draft Bill of Lading to Shipping Line/Carrier/ Agent. (D)

6. Allocation of incoming payments on IT system. (D)

7. Ensure booking(s) are invoiced correctly by Shipping Line/Carrier/ Agent as per contract rates or other spot rates as appropriate. (D)

8. Work closely with Containerlift departments such as Transport and Finance. (D)

9. Ensure Containerlift’s invoice(s) are paid before Bill of Lading/ Cargo is Released and dispatched. (I)

10. Be an integral part of the development of Containerlift’s export operation and the general development of Containerlift. (D)

**Requirements to carry out the job**

**Essential (E), Desirable (D)**

GCSE Maths & English (E)

Degree qualified (D)

Industry recognised shipping courses / qualifications (D)

Experience gained within a Freight forwarding organisation dealing directly with Export shipments by Sea and relevant Shipping Lines / experience of team building. (E)

Knowledge of Exports by Road and Air. (D)

Working knowledge and understanding of Export Customs clearance. (E)

Professional & friendly manner with customers and other staff members. (E)

Experience on IT Programmes (Order Management Systems) for booking/documentation/Customs/Transport Purpose (E)

Commercial Awareness (E)

**Specialists training requirements**

Understanding of the operation of Containerlift equipment and benefit to customers. (D)

Understanding of Customs Export procedures. (E)

Understanding of Booking and Transport procedures for Sea Freight shipments (E)

In depth introduction to Containerlift Order Management System (E)

**Particular aptitude/skill required**:
Customer Service focused. (E)

Experience of working in a busy Export Freight Forwarding environment. (E)

Ability to build and develop relationships with both customers and suppliers. (E)

Ability to train/ mentor team members. (E)

**Personal characteristics required**:
Good communication and organisational skills. (E)

Able to work of own initiative. (E)

Friendly, approachable, a good team player and not scared of hard work. (E)

Ability to stay calm in a challenging and pressurised environment. (E)

**Salary**: £35,000.00-£36,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Private dental insurance
- Private medical insurance

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

- Bonus scheme

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Southampton, SO15 0HH: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person