Road Freight Forwarder

Imperial Logistics offers tailored Logistics Concepts for the automobile, supplier and consumer goods industry. We support from planning to implementation of reliable process chains by understanding all of the needs and requirements and make individual solutions possible.

Imperial Logistics International UK is a part of the worldwide acting Logistics Company IMPERIAL Holdings Ltd. with about 51,000 employees.

In the course of our business expansion we are looking for a Road Freight Forwarder located in Swindon, Wiltshire (United Kingdom).

Job Role Profile:

To act on behalf of importers, exporters or other companies to organise the safe, efficient and cost-effective road transportation of goods.

You will use computer systems and software packages to arrange the best means of transport, taking into account the type of goods and the customer’s delivery requirements. You'll use the services of shipping lines, airlines and road and rail freight operators, the focus being in road transport within UK and Europe for buying and selling FTL (full truck loads) and LTL (less than full truck loads). This will encompass both own and sub-contractor companies.

Requirements:

Activities vary but typically include:

• Investigating and planning the most appropriate route for a shipment, taking into account the perishable or hazardous nature of goods, cost, transit time and security;
• Arranging appropriate packing, taking into account the climate, terrain, weight, cost and nature of goods and also the delivery and warehousing of goods at their final destination;
• Negotiating contracts, transportation and handling costs;
• Obtaining, checking and preparing documentation to meet customs and insurance requirements, packing specifications, and compliance with other countries' regulations and fiscal regimes;
• Offering consolidation services by air and sea but mainly road, ensuring cost-effective and secure solutions to small shippers who have insufficient cargo to require their own dedicated units;
• Arranging insurance and assisting the client in the event of a claim;
• Offering tailored IT solutions and electronic data interchange (EDI) connections;
• Arranging payment of freight and other charges or collection of payment on behalf of the client;
• Utilising e-commerce, internet technology and satellite systems to enable real-time tracking of goods;
• Arranging air transport for urgent and high-value freight and managing the risk door-to-door;
• Dealing with special arrangements may apply for transporting delicate cargoes, food and medical supplies;
• Arranging courier and specialist hand-carry services;
• Maintaining communication and control through all phases of the journey, including the production of management reports and statistical and unit-cost analysis;
• Maintaining current knowledge of relevant legislation, political situations and other factors that could affect the movement of freight.
• Assist with covering the Planning function when required.

Salary:

• Starting salaries are in the region of £24,000. Based on experience this can progress to £26,000 to £28,000.

Working hours:

Working hours are typically 40 hours per week inclusive of 30 minutes unpaid lunch break for lunch. You may be required to do some shift work as we provide 24-hour cover and to work flexibly on occasion to cover clients' needs.

What to expect

• The work is mainly office based.
• Full time contract with benefits
• The dress code is normally smart as you may be meeting clients, but business-casual is acceptable in the office.
• The working environment can be stressful, as much of the work is aimed at meeting tight delivery deadlines.
• Travel within the working day and absence from home overnight are not typical.

We are looking for:

• A positive "can do" attitude, with a certain amount of sales experience.
• Excellent PC skills including MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc...).
• Ideally fluent in English, German and Polish language
• At least 3 years commitment to our UK organisation

Qualifications

Useful degree subjects but not necessary:

• Accounting/finance;
• Business/management;
• Business with languages;
• Economics;
• Geography;
• Modern foreign languages;
• Supply chain management;
• Transport/distribution/logistics.

Skills

You will need to have:

• Good experience and sound knowledge in the Road Freight Forwarding industry
• UK and European Drivers hours’ regulations knowledge.
• Financial experience in road freight buying and selling FTL and LTL
• Good communication skills - you will be liaising with a variety of people;
• Clarity in communication, as major problems could arise through inaccuracies;
• Organisational and planning skills;
• Teamwork, tact and good interpersonal skills;
• Sensitivity to culture and religion;
• Good geographical knowledge;
• Flexibility and the ability to adapt to changing circumstances;
• Problem-solving ability, particularly when working under pressure;
• Accuracy and attention to detail;
• Numeracy and computer literacy.

In exchange we can offer you an attractive salary and benefits with opportunities for advancement in our friendly international team.